“Everybody’s a teacher if you listen.” – Doris Roberts

The following is true. It really happened.

Often, while driving the shuttle, I’ll park by the main entrance for a few minutes to offer anyone leaving a ride to their parked vehicle or other parts of the hospital.

Recently I chanced upon this lady. She appeared to be 70 ish, dressed to the nines, and in good health. We’ll call her Ruth. She emerged from the entrance with a big smile and holding a large plastic bag full of something.

Ma’am…do you need a ride today?

She gives me a big smile and says her car is just right there but thanks anyway as she walks away.

Suddenly she stops and comes back to my vehicle.

Have you ever tasted the Chicken N Dumplings and Carrot Cake they serve here?

No, I haven’t.

You should be arrested.

Laughing, I ask her why?

She sticks her head in my window…. She holds up the plastic bag and forcefully states, this is the best Chicken N Dumplings and Carrot Cake on the planet.

Taken aback I say I’ve always heard hospital food is horrible.

This is not hospital food. This is hospital Cafeteria food.

I pause. So you were not a patient or visiting one?

No. I drove 60 miles from Claremore to get this for my husband.

Where’s your husband?

He’s on the other side of town at St John’s hospital.

So you drove from Claremore just to get the Chicken N Dumplings and Carrot Cake here at St Francis hospital and now you’ll drive to St Johns, where your husband is a patient, just to deliver them to him.

Yes. And then I’m driving back to Claremore.

Wow. Your husband is a lucky man.

Yes, he is. And try the Chicken N Dumplings and Carrot Cake.

You are starting to scare me. I will surely try them. I promise.

“Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.” – Ernest Hemmingway