It was a warm summer morning. I was seventeen years old and I was working through the list of chores my mom had left for me in the daily note she wrote each morning before she left for work. Then the phone rang. It was from the dispatcher of Fame Fire Company. They had a call to transport a patient from the local hospital to a nursing home – a taxi call as we used to call them. Not an emergency but the hospital needed the bed and wanted us to pick up the patient as soon as possible. They had an ambulance driver standing by but needed an EMT to go on the call. Since I lived just a half a block from the station, I told them I would be there in a minute. I washed my hands and headed out the door.
The driver already had the ambulance door open and was sitting behind the wheel of the ambulance adjusting the seat and mirrors. I grabbed a clean white coat that was our customary summer dress for ambulance calls and jumped in the passenger seat. The driver handed me the dispatcher’s sheet and I began filling out the paperwork as he pulled out of the building. Once we arrived at the hospital, he parked in the non-emergency space reserved for these types of calls and we made our way to the room.
That’s when I met George. George had fallen and broken his hip. In those days, this was a devastating injury because there was no way to repair this kind of break. A person would be forced to live the remainder of their lives in a nursing home resting in bed – and since the bone could not be reset or replaced as we do today, the patient was usually in quite a bit of pain for the rest of their lives.
So, with the help of the nursing staff, we did our best to gently move George from the hospital bed to our gurney. But it became obvious that George did not feel like we were being gentle enough. He glared at me and used every curse word you can imagine describing the incompetence with which I was moving him. His tirade grew worse as we rolled him on his side to remove the hospital sheet from underneath him. Since it was summer, I used the blanket to create cushioning next to the broken hip but that only seemed to upset him more. Finally, we covered him with the sheet, strapped him in, and began heading toward the elevator. During the entire time, we were trying to get him to the ambulance, he kept swearing at me – as if I was the only one hurting him. I was not looking forward to the long ride to the nursing home where I would have to sit in the back of the ambulance alone with George. I knew every bump in the road was going to be a reason for him to berate me even more.
Once we got to the nursing home, we rolled George into the back entrance reserved for ambulatory patients. The nurse’s station was right inside the door and I had to speak with greater volume to give them George’s full name since he was still cursing at me as loudly as possible. Fortunately, his new home would be the very first room past the nurse’s station so I knew the verbal abuse would soon come to an end. We got George settled in his bed to a chorus of cussing and we were finally ready to leave. As we rolled the gurney to the door, I stopped and turned around to look at George. With a big smile on my face, I said, “That’s okay, George, I know you like me.” I hail of curse words hit my back as we walked out.
Sometimes in life, we will meet the most disagreeable people. And as hard as we may try, we may never be able to get them to change their reaction to anything we do to try and make life easier for them.
Sometimes in life, we will meet the most disagreeable people. And as hard as we may try, we may never be able to get them to change their reaction to anything we do to try and make life easier for them. But, remember, you may not know it, but you could be making a difference in their lives. So…
If they yell at you for no particular reason, ignore it and be kind.
If they try to belittle you for any attempt to comfort them, ignore it and be kind.
If they blame you for their troubles and woes when you know that you are truly innocent, ignore it and be kind.
If they are hateful and hurtful for no apparent reason, ignore it and be kind.
If you want to make a difference in their lives and be the kind of leader that never gives up on a person, be kind. Here’s the reason why.
After my experience with George, I made it a point to stop by his room every time I had a taxi call to the same nursing home. I would stick my head in the door and say loudly, “Hey, George, how are you doing today?” The response was always the same – “Get out of here you… and the cursing would begin. I would smile and say, “Nice to know you still like me, George,” and off I would go.
One day, I was on an emergency call to the nursing home. We were in and out with the patient very quickly and off to the hospital. Since it was a life and death situation, I was focused on one thing – caring for my patient until I turned her over to the hospital emergency room staff.
On my next visit to the nursing home for a taxi call, one of the nurses pulled me aside. “You need to go see George. He has completely given up any hope – he won’t eat, barely drinks any water, he just lays there wanting to die. See, he has no visitors – no family has ever come to visit him. You were the only person that seemed to care enough to say hello. The night you were in and out for the emergency, George saw you and since you did not stop, he figured you were done with him too. Please, go talk to him.”
So, I went to the door and announced loudly, “So, George, you missed me! I am so touched.” As you can guess, he replied with a barrage of cursing and yelling. I smiled, walked to the door, and stopped and turned around. “See, I knew you like me.” The curses followed me on down the hallway.
After that, I never left that nursing home without speaking to George – even if it was to yell, “Hey, George,” as we ran to an emergency. Just before I left for Marine Corps boot camp, I drove out to the nursing home. I walked to George’s bed and explained to him that I would be leaving for a while but that I would stop by after I graduated from boot camp. He responded that he didn’t care and why was I bothering him. The fact that he did not curse at me told me everything I needed to know. I reached down and patted his hand, “Because, George, despite everything you have said to me, I know you still like me.” I turned quickly and left because I knew we were both trying to hide our tears.
Don’t ever give up on people. Let kindness guide you and you will surely become an exceptional leader.
LEN, SO OFTEN OUR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE IS TO THROW IN THE TOWEL AND SAY FORGET IT. KINDNESS IS EVERYTHING, BUT PATIENCE IS MORE AND YOU WERE GIVEN THE GRACE TO HAVE BOTH. GEORGE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. BLESSINGS
Lynn – If we would all take the time to see through the pain of others, we would become the nation our founders envisioned. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
This reminds me of Kairos when everything lines up and things works sometimes because of what you do, other times just because it is the way things work out. What a great story my friend. I truly enjoyed it.
Thanks, Larry. I can’t say why I was willing to try and see the good in George. Something made me try and break through the anger. I like to think it is that “still small voice.” Glad you enjoyed reading this.
Thanks a Million, Len Sir, for sharing such a powerfully touching story! Besides being a ‘Hero,’ you are also the epitome of True Leadership as the life-lessons you share with us in these groups come from the deepest cores of a genrous soul that feels the pain of others just as much as its own.
Last, but not the least, your contribution as part of the elite Marines goes a long way in ensuring freedom for mankind as a whole. You rightfully deserve my humble salute as do all other servicemen and women that are ready to give the supreme sacrifice as the need arises.
On this 4th of July, I bow my head in honor of those that laid down their lives in pursuit of justice, freedom and equality.
A Huge Note of Thanks and A Very Happy Fourth of July!
Bharat – I am so grateful that my fellow truth seekers like Joel, Christine, and you take the time to read and comment on my articles. And you are so gracious to think of me and my fellow soldiers, sailors, airman, and Marines during this 4th of July holiday. We must never forget that the price of freedom is the blood of those who willing die for the right to be free. And in the process, these same hard chargers also tend to have the biggest hearts to demonstrate random acts of kindness in the most adverse of situations. That is the point of this story. Thank you so much, my Friend.
What a wonderful story, Len. Aside from the obvious lesson to be kind to others, this story demonstrates that you never know when someone will come into your life and make a difference. It is important to always be open to these possibilities. (I have always had a soft spot in my heart for curmudgeons.)
Christine – I am so glad you enjoyed my story and articulated the lesson to be learned so well. And your last sentence explains why we get alone so well. ☺ Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
Len, This is such a heartwarming story! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. This article evidences the fact that you always had outstanding character traits. Earlier today I e-mailed Dennis to see if he had heard from you since it had been a while since I saw any new articles from you. I was concerned that something might be wrong. While the 4th of July celebrates the birth of this great country it is because of people like you who fought and died or just fought that our country enjoys the liberties we do. In lieu of the above, I want to say thank you to you!
Joel – Thank you so much for your kind words and your concern. I have found that retirement is much busier than getting up and working at a 9-5 job ever was. So, I write as often as I can but unfortunately, not with the regularity I was able to in the past. But having faithful readers like you reminds me that I need to do a better job of keeping my writing skills sharp. And a very happy Fourth of July to you and your family – fly the flag proudly – thank every service member, police officer, and firefighter you see – and thank our Maker for placing us in this wonderful country where freedom still is important.
Len, Thank you for your good wishes. Even my when I go on the subway if I see a Transit Policeman I will always thank him for his service. New York City Police Officers ten to be a little nervous if you come right up to them unexpectedly. No matter if we agree or disagree with our President we still owe him respect as well. I know you are too modest to consider yourself a hero but in the eyes of many of us, that is exactly what you are. Your writing skills were on full display in this article. here was no sign of “rust.”
Joel – Thank you again. I appreciate the fact that you did not notice any “rust” on my writing. Most importantly, I truly hope that this article reminds people that we all need to be a little kinder in our daily interactions with other people. Their pain and hurt can be our opportunity to be a source of healing.