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Topic: Worth another posting !!  (Read 649 times)

cateyes1

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Worth another posting !!
« on: July 04, 2021, 04:08:50 am »
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and glassware.
'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive
through downtown?'
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said
'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small

ktheodos

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2021, 06:31:16 am »
I have heard that story before but worth hearing again for sure!!

Nancy5

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2021, 09:29:55 am »
I’ve heard that story many times.
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mrisha

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2021, 08:39:58 pm »
Actually it doesn't.  The idea of reading a post this long gives me a headache.
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calendria

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2021, 10:59:01 am »
 :cat:

Never seen this one before but as a caregiver for many years, I know the happiness our visits bring to people who are alone all the time except for nurses, doctors, and helpers.

pkrahmer

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2021, 01:10:39 pm »
i have never heard that before.
what a beautiful story.
Thanks for sharing!! :rainbow: :rose: :peace: :wave:
Be grateful for what you have and you will receive more than you ever expected

If you believe it you can achieve it.

Small Consistent Steps Lead to Great Rewards


oldbuddy

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2021, 10:28:10 am »
I read this several times and it gave me the feeling I was on that trip with you. Thanks for the ride.

::)

plennis

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2021, 04:54:18 pm »
I have seen this before and love it every time it is posted.  It is a beautiful story.

alina6

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2021, 12:52:06 pm »
I liked it - hopefully it makes people think.

notriko_mu

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2021, 03:00:05 am »
Thank you.

ccandpam

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2021, 04:26:39 am »
I have never heard this before. i really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

potluck6

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2021, 11:32:15 am »
first time reading  nice story to know about.

plennis

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Re: Worth another posting !!
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2021, 12:27:55 pm »
I have seen this several times and I love it and read through it each time.  It just makes me happy.

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