I had to go to the hospital today for a test.  I’m going to be honest; it’s not my favorite place.  Every time I step inside the doors I am reminded about how much of my life I lived there.  How much time I spent inside a building that wasn’t my home. School vacations, summer vacations, weeks during finals, holidays,…. It may not have been my first home but it was indeed, my second one for well over 15 years and it could be again at any time.  It could be for anyone at any time.  But it isn’t today, and everyone who is not in a hospital right now needs to feel lucky and grateful for that.

There are many things you see in a hospital and not all of them are scary, sad, or bad.  Some things are I’m not gonna lie.  Yet some things are wonderful.  Some things remind you there is humanity and the world is still good-that’s a great thing.  I felt lucky to be there today sitting in the chair reading my book and witnessing “kindness”.  A kindness you can’t necessarily find window shopping at the mall.  A kindness that is offered “just because” or “because someone knows you need it”

I was healthy today going for a routine test but I still was a “patient” and needed help.  I guess I will always be a little uncomfortable with being “a patient” sometimes but I also feel “lucky” that I am able to get care when I need it.

I was surprised as while I was sitting awaiting my test and as I walked through the halls that I was smiling so much.  I was smiling because I was proud.  I was proud of people.

I stopped and spoke to a girl, no older than 16 who was in a wheelchair waiting for the elevator.  Her head was wrapped and her eyes looked so tired  (I remember very well many times being wheeled to a test praying it would come out ok) she had her head rested on the arm of the chair. The transport person was waiting patiently for the elevator and I took the special moment to kneel down and say hello.  I asked her how she was, and she said “I’m ok”.   I then told her “when I was your age I was in the hospital a lot too and I know you will ok, you be brave and believe in miracles ok”  She now smiled big and said “ Ok Thanks.”  I wonder if even the transport person knew she had braces?  They shined like stars when she smiled-she had a beautiful smile. I gave her arm a squeeze and waved as she went in the elevator then I prayed a prayer for her that she would be safe and healthy.  It felt good to be reminded how lucky I was even if I had to do this 4 hour long test-who cares? I get to go home after. I made sure I understood that and tried to embed it in my soul for the next time I started to complain about something silly.

I watched several older women, meticulously dressed greeting patients for their tests, giving patients directions, getting transport from one place to another,etc.  They did it with such grace and such a wonderful warm smile-what a gift to have these caring women walking these halls. I thought about my mother and knew if she was still here she would be one of them.

There was a young volunteer; he looked like he was in his twenties.  I heard him from down the hall before I saw him.  He was laughing with some workers and as he walked down the hall and passed  by me, he asked me to agree “we need the rain to help the flowers grow isn’t that right” I smiled and said “yes, you are completely right”.  I watched this young man continue to walk down the hall with a skip in his stride regardless of the heavy braces on his legs just happy ‘to be”.  Wow, we all could learn a lot from him I thought.

When my test was finally finished I walked out the doors of the hospital a little smarter and a lot more inspired.  There are good people in that place I thought.  People who know what the real importance of life is all about.  What a valuable lesson.

Do you know the real importance of life?  How lucky you are?   And, are you grateful?  I ask you to stop and think about it, really think-and if you don’t truly know inside or need to be reminded, do me a favor and take a field trip.  Walk through a hospital and “pay attention” to what happens inside those walls-not just the pain and sickness but the love, kindness, appreciation and hope also.  It will change your life…but only if you let it.

I know for me I am going to bed tonight tired, a little achy from laying on a cold metal machine for over 2 hours straight, a little humbled and a lot grateful.  It was a good day. A blessed day.  I hope yours was as well.  Make tomorrow better-and maybe include a lunchtime field trip src="http://www.dottielessard.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif">

With Love, Dottie