Guest BluesLover Posted October 23, 2008 Share #1 Posted October 23, 2008 I arrived at the address where someone had requested a taxi. I honked but no one came out. I honked again, nothing. So 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 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 1940s 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, and 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 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. '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 work ed 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. Some times 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 assoon 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 Ihave 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 one. PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mini-muffin Posted October 23, 2008 Share #2 Posted October 23, 2008 That was wonderful. Margaret Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowawegian Posted October 23, 2008 Share #3 Posted October 23, 2008 PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL. Thank you for that wonderful reminder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ponch Posted October 23, 2008 Share #4 Posted October 23, 2008 Thanks, Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6pak Posted October 23, 2008 Share #5 Posted October 23, 2008 Sometimes, we see or hear something that really makes you think. Like now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snarley Bill Posted October 23, 2008 Share #6 Posted October 23, 2008 that was a heart warming story. not meaning to offend you, but did it really happen. if so you are a good human being. i would have done the same thing, no doubt about it. kudo's. bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BluesLover Posted October 23, 2008 Share #7 Posted October 23, 2008 that was a heart warming story. not meaning to offend you, but did it really happen. if so you are a good human being. i would have done the same thing, no doubt about it. kudo's. bill No... no ... that's not a story that happened to me!!! It is heartwarming indeed, and the good part of me wants to believe that it really did happen ... somewhere out there in this world we call home! Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breeze Posted October 23, 2008 Share #8 Posted October 23, 2008 No... no ... that's not a story that happened to me!!! It is heartwarming indeed, and the good part of me wants to believe that it really did happen ... somewhere out there in this world we call home! Cheers, I'm so thankful she meet you Bill !!! Your reward will be great !!!! Thank You for reminding us all how short and fragil life really is. BREEZE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTirelli Posted October 23, 2008 Share #9 Posted October 23, 2008 Kinda makes me wonder what I would have done had it been me. I like to think I would have done the same. Thanks Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1BigDog Posted October 23, 2008 Share #10 Posted October 23, 2008 I saw that story several years ago. I believe it was sent to me in an e-mail. Its still a heart rendering story. It doesnt take much to make someone feel better. Sometimes a little attention is all thats needed. Thanks for posting, Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redneck Posted October 23, 2008 Share #11 Posted October 23, 2008 Oh hell now I got something in my eyes. thanks for the reminder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene-b Posted October 23, 2008 Share #12 Posted October 23, 2008 WAY COOL! DUDE.:clap2: You rock :guitarist 2: Gene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmor Posted October 24, 2008 Share #13 Posted October 24, 2008 Many years ago I used to drive a cab. I would like to think I would the same thing.True or not it is a touching story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazmocycle Posted October 25, 2008 Share #14 Posted October 25, 2008 we all have chances to do like things in our lives if we make time. i have done a/c work for over 40 years and have sometimes realizes an older person is a little talkative because they don't get a chance to spend time with their family. i had a little old lady that i worked on her boiler for 17 years and she would always have a little meal waiting for me and usally some kind of dessert. her son live only 2 hrs away but only visited thanksgiving or christmas. she always asked about my family and several times, i took my kids with me and they visited while i worked. i lost touch with her after moving to b'ham and her large house has been torn down for a parking lot. when i go by i always have to smile about the hours i spent with my adoptive grandmother. i've had this happen with several like person thru the years. i hope when i get a little older, someone will return the favor to me!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano Posted October 25, 2008 Share #15 Posted October 25, 2008 I had a little old lady out on the west side that had been one of my original customers back in 88. Even after I closed the business in 99, she would still call once a year for something. Could be a light bulb or something like that. Always turned into a 4 hour call, never charged her and didn't care. I'll still drop the bill down some on my side jobs if they are like that. Least I can do. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcarl Posted October 25, 2008 Share #16 Posted October 25, 2008 Thanks Lou,,,,we can all stop to 'smell the roses' every now and then, that's what life is really made of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted October 25, 2008 Share #17 Posted October 25, 2008 Some time we need to slow down and look at things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpagak Posted October 25, 2008 Share #18 Posted October 25, 2008 Oh hell now I got something in my eyes. thanks for the reminder. ditto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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