Got a Hanky?

tankgirl · 12-18-2003, 06:24 PM

Nice Story (someone sent it to me):

THE CAB RIDE

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living.

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away.

But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. 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 80'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, 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, 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 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, 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.

jks1 · 12-18-2003, 06:28 PM

Thats a great story man, I am sure she remembered you until the day she passed.

tankgirl · 12-18-2003, 06:41 PM

Thanks John - it wasn't me, just a story someone sent me. I don't get mushy but that one got me weepy.

Gina · 12-18-2003, 07:25 PM

Very nice story. Sure does make you stop a minute and make you think. We are all so rushed and everything. How sad if thats a true story and not fiction. I'm glad she was driven around for awhile.

Gina

mwrager · 12-18-2003, 07:26 PM

All I can say is thanks TG. Some time we need stories like this.

wooddood · 12-18-2003, 07:36 PM

that was a great story tg thank you for shareing.and yes i got a little teary eyed my self.we take so much for granted in life a story like that kinda puts us back and makes us think of how much we really do take for granted.thanks again. dave.

cheeks69 · 12-18-2003, 08:36 PM

great story of kindness and consideration, qualities that are so rare to find these days. thanx TG

Craig Manoukian · 12-18-2003, 09:06 PM

Jesus said, "What you have done to the least of these, you have done to me." We are all the least at times and come in contact with each other daily. Are we really being as kind as we could be? This story gives me great pause for thought. Thanks TG.

PS
I couldn't help but edit the paragraphs to appease my anal rentive nature!

Pro_builder · 12-18-2003, 09:21 PM

That is a very touching story. Thank you TG for bringing it to us.
It really makes ya think, am I doing the best for everything or one that I am around.

SaltyQueen · 12-18-2003, 09:39 PM

Craig- I say that verse to myself whenever I am caring for a particularly difficult patient (I'm a nurse at a mental institute). It really changes your perspective when you look at things that way. Great story, TG, thanks.

Craig Manoukian · 12-18-2003, 11:06 PM

Thanks SQ!

Mary · 12-18-2003, 11:16 PM

Great story TG! Makes you think twice about some of the stressful times this season can bring to many of us. A few moments that you share with someone, can touch the heart and maybe heal a wound. Thanks for sharing that!

mredman · 12-18-2003, 11:29 PM

As the lion said in the Wizard of Oz, "Aw shucks, I don't know what to say."

Mike

mojoreef · 12-18-2003, 11:46 PM

great story....just a great story

fidojoe · 12-19-2003, 01:20 AM

Thanks TG, great story

12-18-2003, 06:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
tankgirl Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: So. Ca Posts: 1,476 View Gallery Karma Komment	Got a Hanky? Nice Story (someone sent it to me): THE CAB RIDE Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. 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 80'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, 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, 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 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, 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.

12-18-2003, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thats a great story man, I am sure she remembered you until the day she passed. __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

12-18-2003, 07:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,292 View Gallery Karma Komment	Very nice story. Sure does make you stop a minute and make you think. We are all so rushed and everything. How sad if thats a true story and not fiction. I'm glad she was driven around for awhile. Gina __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

12-18-2003, 07:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	All I can say is thanks TG. Some time we need stories like this. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

12-18-2003, 07:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	that was a great story tg thank you for shareing.and yes i got a little teary eyed my self.we take so much for granted in life a story like that kinda puts us back and makes us think of how much we really do take for granted.thanks again. dave. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

12-18-2003, 06:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
tankgirl Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: So. Ca Posts: 1,476 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks John - it wasn't me, just a story someone sent me. I don't get mushy but that one got me weepy.

12-18-2003, 08:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 6,526 View Gallery Karma Komment	great story of kindness and consideration, qualities that are so rare to find these days. thanx TG __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

12-18-2003, 09:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 15,721 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Jesus said, "What you have done to the least of these, you have done to me." We are all the least at times and come in contact with each other daily. Are we really being as kind as we could be? This story gives me great pause for thought. Thanks TG. PS I couldn't help but edit the paragraphs to appease my anal rentive nature! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

12-18-2003, 09:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	That is a very touching story. Thank you TG for bringing it to us. It really makes ya think, am I doing the best for everything or one that I am around. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

12-18-2003, 09:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
SaltyQueen Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 400 View Gallery Karma Komment	Craig- I say that verse to myself whenever I am caring for a particularly difficult patient (I'm a nurse at a mental institute). It really changes your perspective when you look at things that way. Great story, TG, thanks.

12-18-2003, 11:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 15,721 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Thanks SQ! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

12-18-2003, 11:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mary Evil Angel Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 269 View Gallery Karma Komment	Great story TG! Makes you think twice about some of the stressful times this season can bring to many of us. A few moments that you share with someone, can touch the heart and maybe heal a wound. Thanks for sharing that! __________________ *~ Michigan Reefers ~* *~ My Photos ~*

12-18-2003, 11:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
mredman Limpet Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Houston Posts: 149 View Gallery Karma Komment	As the lion said in the Wizard of Oz, "Aw shucks, I don't know what to say." Mike

12-18-2003, 11:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
mojoreef Just a reefer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,176 View Gallery Karma Komment	great story....just a great story __________________ Make sure you check out The Fish Gallery The Coral Gallery The Equipment Gallery

12-19-2003, 01:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
fidojoe Fish Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,581 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks TG, great story __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* My Tank: 90g AGA, 18g tall sump, CSS 220 w/ meshmod impeller, 4x54w Tek T5 retro w/ IC reflectors, Kalk reactor w/ aquamedic niveaumat system, a few SPS, LPS, zoos, and a few softies, 2 Ocellaris Clowns (hosted by both a RBTA and GBTA), Yellow Watchman, Potter's angel, Yellow Tang, Foxface, Midas Blenny, Purple Pseudo, huge brittle star, 2 tigertail cukes, fire shrimp, snails, and unfortunately two emerald crabs (the bubble algae got out of control).

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