I am honored to know the people here. That’s it…
One day, when I was leaving the department of health, I saw a couple who asked me where the nearest taxi stand was. I honestly had no idea, (but now that I think of it I guess it would have been across the street at the hospital). I asked them where they were going and they explained that they just got their marriage license and were heading back to Hale Koa, the military hotel in Waikiki. I told them it would be an honor to drive them to their hotel as a small token of thanks for their service to our country and drove them with best wishes for their upcoming wedding. They were delightful and so happy.
My allergist has been such a giving person all her life and career. Sadly she is having some personal health crises and is closing her practice. I bought her some warm clothing (down jackets, footed socks, a hat, scarf, other clothing) as she will soon be moving to a very cold place for medical treatment and has no warm things of her own (she was just going to borrow her sister’s things). It has been such an honor to know such a selfless person and we hope she will recover soon and fully. She has been our advocate for over a decade and helped us get into the Stanford program to hopefully get effective treatment for D’s chronic disease, that will make a difference in her health. She seemed so surprised and touched to be given things to help her in her journey.
I was leaving a meeting one evening and stood outside to talk to a few friends as we were getting into our cars. It was nearing 10:00 at night and, of course, was dark. As we were talking, I noticed a woman in her 50s or 60s walking down the street carrying two or three grocery bags from the store that was at least a mile away. When I got in my car, I felt compelled to stop and offer her a ride. I knew her bags had to be getting heavy. She didn’t hesitate to take me up on my offer and I drove her home about a mile away. We had a nice chat, and it really made me think about how fortunate I am to not have to WALK miles to buy groceries. I really take so many things for granted.
I used to give blood regularly, but my tiny veins make it a long, difficult process. I was finally told, very gently, that the bloodmobile’s time was better served with folks who are faster and easier “sticks” if there’s a line of donors.
Back in 2009 during the volcanic eruption in Iceland , there was a group of British travelers that had spent 2 days stuck at JFK airport. I got a call from a realtor in our area that specializes in vacation rentals. For some reason , they ended up getting a rental house in the beach town that we work in. They needed to have linens and towns for the beds. At this point, they didn’t even know how long it would be until they could fly back home because so many flights had been canceled.
Since I knew they wouldn’t have a car and the place they were staying didn’t have much in terms of places to get groceries , my daughter and I went out and bought all kinds of food and also some American beer and wine.
I wanted to just leave it on the deck of the home without them seeing us , but they were arriving at the same time we did.
They were so grateful that someone thought about them and made their unexpected layover in the USA a little more comfortable