Danimal Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 The Cab Ride I’ll Never ForgetThis story, written by Kent Nerburn, The author confirms that this story is true.I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes, 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 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 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 down 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. 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. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Z Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 I always say perspective is an important gift in life........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrref Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 Great story, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jroman Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 That was deep, Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypr2001 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 WOW, I hope this hits home with everyone. Once again my friend, you have shown your true colors. Good on ya and GREAT for us. TY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToddS Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 I love random acts of kindness.Thank you for this story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shenanigan Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Great story...thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 Thanks for the beautiful story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdsyaya Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 That was a wonderful story. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rschopper Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 what a story it feels good to do ggod and i the rest of the world would realize this it would be a better place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RweRV Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks for this. Keeps evrything in perspective Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willettemc Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 Great story thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joncyrus Posted February 3, 2010 Report Share Posted February 3, 2010 great read... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memrfixitok Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 Good story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filthyflippinstinkingrich Posted February 16, 2010 Report Share Posted February 16, 2010 Great read wish i knew about this stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madd44 Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 Thanks for this great story...and the reminder to us all that even a small act of kindness may make a world of difference to someone else....even if we are never aware of just how much...we need more of this in our lives, in our world. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taco Posted February 17, 2010 Report Share Posted February 17, 2010 very very nice thank you for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danimal Posted February 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 I love this story so much.It seems so real to me because I'd do something just like that lady too if I was in her shoes.Think about all the memories that keep flooding back to her as she drove around.kinda like a bunch of polaroids.....I kept thinking how much my life in retrospect feels like the moments captured on all the Polaroids I kept looking at. It's just this series of flashes, isn't it? You wander around in the dark and then there's this flash and something gets caught in the light like a trap. Flash. A memory. Flash. A birthday. Flash. A series of chords on the piano. Flash. She laughs. Flash. A girl in a yellow hat. Flash. A sly smile at the door and a green dress. Flash. Something you should have kept. -Adam Duritz This story Inspires me to make more great memories.Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Love as is this is all there is. --Mary Anne Radmacher Danimal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobstick Posted February 22, 2010 Report Share Posted February 22, 2010 (edited) I did something like this anonamously, when I was 14 years old. I have never forgotten the joy that it brought to ME, either. Edited February 22, 2010 by bobstick typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jac Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddieisme Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Great one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcsh49890 Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Thank you for your post, it means a lot to me. Just this past month my wife passed away, she was under Hospice Care. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duorider Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Great Story to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tampa1000 Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Good story, it make you think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YANNAVIA Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 Thank you for reminding me why we are all here....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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