
I spotted a little story this morning and it moved me to tears. So, I thought I'd share it with you, my darlings. If you have five minutes to spare, just grab a few tissues and let yourself be inspired by a wonderful NYC taxi driver who shared one of the most important experiences of his life, as he defines it. xo
A NYC taxi driver
wrote:
I arrived at the
address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since
this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving
away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up 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?
(Thanks, Megan)
23 comments:
Incredibly touching and full of emotion. The part when she thanked him for the little moment of joy, made me very emotional. Thank you, Diana for making my day. Love, Amy.
...
Thank you...
I'm glad to "know" someone who thinks this is important.
Wow! This is simply amazing. Such a wonderful, well-written, heart-warming story. My eyes are misty.
Such a lovely read to end a long day. Thanks for sharing :)
very moving.... and beautiful....
thank you Diana for the story
I have been fortunate enough to read this before. Gets me every time. It's beautiful.
What a beautiful, sweet and touching story! Thank you so much for sharing! People are awesome sometimes, aren't they?
Amy, I got all teary reading that part as well. So touching!
Totally, Christianna!!!
i just lost my grandmother so this really hit me hard.
Blubbering here...oh what a wonderful way of showing people still respect their elders.
Thank you for sharing this Diana
Amy
This is so sweet and touching, thank you for sharing
Mal @ The Chic Geek
'Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.' I try to live by this and offer kindness until someone proves they are not worthy of it.
ugh...ripped my heart
Amy, I am SO sorry! xo
Josie, I love that!!!
so sweet! so important to be compassionate....
I love Josie's comment! so true.
i saw this a few days ago. it is awesome.
http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com
so touching and sweet. i'm tearing up. this made my day.
Thank you Diana xoxo
Aww...Melisande:)))
Sadly, I'm sure those 'what ifs' happen all the time. We can certainly learn from this story- beautiful x
Wow, this made me tear up and smile at the same time. Great story :)
Sad, beautiful and heart-warming. Thank you for posting this story - a reminder to treat everyone with patience and take the time to listen to the elderly.
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