The Cab Ride
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 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 one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL
You won’t get any big surprise in 10 days if you send this to ten people. But, 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.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
Except for the fact that the ac is on and the kids are in the pool… I really feel the Christmas spirit… Maybe it’s the ac blowing down my back.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Dear Family and Friends, December 2011
2011 was a year of endings and new beginnings for us…
In February, we said good bye to Melodie’s 17 year old feline companion,Casper. He had not been feeling well for several months and we knew it was time to say goodbye. She still misses her special buddy. Melodie also had several medical issues. In February, she had cataract surgery on her one eye which eventually gave her better vision. Thank the Lord!
In April,Tom and Melodie were able to enjoy a Southern cruise vacation They went alone to enrich their marriage. They continue to be a pre-martial host couple at Calvary Chapel and help couples planning to get married or sometimes who are already married! Serving together in this capacity is beneficial for both of them as a couple.
Carlos stayed with Grandpa and Grandma during the cruise and had special treatment for the week! Carlos enjoys his time with his grandparents. He plays ping pong with Grandpa and appreciates Grandma’s treats when he goes to their home.
In June, Carlos was given the honor of being a part of the Junior Honor’s Society. He is still trying to grasp the value of his education in addition to adapting to middle school work. He makes friends easily with his great sense of humor and does well in classes he enjoys. Carlos is becoming an intelligent young man full of life and ambition!
For Carlos’ birthday in July, Mom and Dad took Carlos to Epcot, Universal and Islands of Adventure so Carlos could experience this fun for the very first time. Although we dealt with rain, we know Carlos will always remember this special trip to Orlando!
Later in July, Melodie had a bout with an e-coli bacterial infection and needed to be hospitalized after fainting from low blood pressure. Presently, her doctor continues to work to get her kidney function back to normal after it was affected from this bad infection. God is good and He continues to help Melodie day-by-day.
In September, after months of looking and considering another pet, we adopted Coco from a local German Shepherd rescue. Coco was found in Miami and Tom is proud of his second Spanish child! She was 4 months when we got her; fragile from worms and malnourished. Cody is slowly adjusting to his new, rambunctious playmate. Coco is very intelligent, affectionate and loves to play with her rope toys and brothers!
In October, Tom and Melodie decided to move Carlos to a charter school that was smaller. Carlos was sad to leave the previous school. Our hope is that the teachers’ interaction will help Carlos and have a positive influence on him. We now get up at 5:30am and Carlos takes a bus to school. We continue to ask for prayer in this transition. He is making friends and doing better in school.
Tom and Melodie continue to work for their company, SEO Does Matter, Inc. The Lord continues to bless their work and brings the needed clients and income to support the family. Tom focuses on search engine optimization primarily for security and executive protection clients. He gets to partake in training and takes photos for one of his clients every month. Melodie continues to do the accounting, blogging and helps clients with social media and other internet marketing.
With 2011 ending, we thank each and every one of you for your friendship and visits! God is good all the time and we look forward to the plans He has for us in 2012!
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Tom, Melodie, Carlos, Coty and Coco