I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I walked 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 inHer 90′s stood before me. She was wearing aPrint 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 hadLived 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..‘Wou ld you carry my bag Out to the car? she said. I took the suitcaseTo 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 IT old her I just try to treat my passengersThe way I would want my mother to beTreated. 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 driveThrough downtown? It’s not the Shortest way I answeredQuickly Oh I don’t mind she Said. Im in no hurry. I’m on my way to a Hospice.I looked in the rear viewMirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have Any family left, she continued in a soft Voice.. ‘The doctor says I don’t have veryLong. I quietly reached over and shut off the Meter.‘What route would you like meTo take?’ I asked.For the next twoHours, we drove through the city. She showed meThe 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 inFront of a furniture warehouse that had once Been a ball room where she had gone dancing as a Girl.Sometimes she’d ask me to slowIn front of a particular building or corner and Would sit staring into the darkness, saying Nothing.As the first hint of sun wasCreasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’mTired. Let’s go now’.We drove in Silence to the address she had given me. It wasA low building, like a small convalescent home,With a driveway that passed under a Portico.Two orderlies came out toThe 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 toThe 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 morningLight.. 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 thatDay, I could hardly talk. What if that woman hadGotten 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 anythingMore 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 One.PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL You might help make the world a little kinder and more compassionate by sending it on and reminding us that often it is the random acts of kindness that most benefit all of us.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 21:16:52 +0000
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