Stories

Coming Full Circle

    During my first day of service, I arrived at my worksite a little earlier than planned so I went to the neighboring Stop and Shop to check it out.  While I was in the restroom, I asked a woman how to get to the train station as I would need to use it later that day and she very kindly explained how to get there.  Her name was Mildred (patient name changed) and we immediately hit it off and became friends.  Every now and again, I would stop in to the Shop and Stop pastry section to see her hard at work- at 65, she still worked the early morning shift in the pastry shop and also had a second job.  She always encouraged me to speak Spanish with he which afforded me much needed practicer, and greeted me with the friendliest of smiles.  She was also the caretaker for three young grandchildren who were patients of Open Door.  On my last day of service, I came to say goodbye and found her rushing off- so I quickly said goodbye and went about my business.  A few hours later, she asked for me at Open Door- she had come to take her grandaughter to an appointment but she also came to say goodbye.  She brought a cannoli cake from Stop and Shop because it was my last day. I will never forget such generosity.  If such generous acts come from people we barely know, or who may not have many resources, then what excuse is there NOT to be kind and generous with one another?