I've been spending a lot of time at Froedtert Hospital lately. My dad has a health issue that has had him there for more than a week. If his room faced the south, he could possibly see his own house; my parents have lived across the street from Froedtert since I was 12 years-old.
When my dad first checked in to the hospital, there were all kinds of diagnostic tests. Then there was a procedure that we had to wait a day-and-a-half for, because traumas coming in stole away the anesthesiologist teams. Then we received good news; all had gone well. And now, the recovery begins with various kinds of therapy. I'm purposely not mentioning what happened to my dad, to protect his privacy, but it's been quite a roller coaster ride.
He's mentally sharp and still has his sense of humor in tact. Yesterday, I joked that he should check and see if the doctors who have been treating him have a wedding ring on, or not. He liked that one and asked me if I was keeping my eyes open when I was in the cafeteria, as well. I'm not; but that's another blog.
Anyway, the reason I wanted to write about what has been going on lately is to give a shout-out for the employees at Froedtert. I have been so impressed by the friendliness and kindness of everyone who works there. From the guys I see polishing and cleaning the floors to the cafeteria workers, the people who staff the family center, the nurses, doctors and even the parking garage attendants.
Last Friday, the day he finally had his surgery, I left the hospital after a 12 hour visit. As I left the parking ramp around 7:30 at night I was emotionally and physically drained. The parking attendant took my ticket and told me to have a nice night and get some rest.
He didn't know why I was there that day. Maybe it was the bags under my eyes that gave me away. But those kind words sustained me on my drive home alone as I worried about my dad and said yet another prayer.
It only takes a moment to smile at someone walking past, say "hello" to someone in an elevator or to hold open a door for someone. But you never know when even the slightest random act of kindness will have a much deeper meaning to the person on the receiving end. I'm counting my blessings as I continue to pray for my dad's full recovery. And in 2009, I'm vowing to be the person who gives someone the little extra lift they need, without even realizing it.
