{"id":2649,"date":"2011-12-12T00:00:35","date_gmt":"2011-12-12T05:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/haveamagnificentday\/?p=2649"},"modified":"2011-12-12T00:41:40","modified_gmt":"2011-12-12T05:41:40","slug":"the-cab-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/haveamagnificentday\/2011\/12\/the-cab-ride.html","title":{"rendered":"The Cab Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

from a friend….<\/span><\/p>\n

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. <\/span>
\n After waiting a few minutes I walked to the door and knocked.<\/span>
\n‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice. <\/span>
\nI could hear something being dragged across the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

After a long pause, the door opened.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nA small woman in her 90’s stood before me.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nShe was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie.<\/span><\/p>\n

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. <\/span>
\nThe apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. <\/span>
\nAll the furniture was covered with sheets.<\/span><\/p>\n

There were no locks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. <\/span>
\nIn the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. <\/span>
\nI took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.<\/span>
\n She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her. <\/span>
\n‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’<\/span><\/p>\n

‘Oh, you’re such a good boy, she said. <\/span>
\nWhen we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’<\/span><\/p>\n

‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly.<\/span>
\n ‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said.\u00a0 <\/span>
\n‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.\u00a0‘<\/span><\/p>\n

I looked in the rear-view mirror.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nHer eyes were glistening. <\/span>
\n‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice..<\/span>
\nThe doctor says I don’t have very long.’ <\/span><\/p>\n

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
\n‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. <\/span>
\nShe showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.<\/span>
\n We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. <\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now’.
\nWe drove in silence to the address she had given me. <\/span>
\nIt was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. <\/span>
\nThey were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. <\/span>
\n They must have been expecting her.<\/span><\/p>\n

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. <\/span>
\nThe woman was already seated in a wheelchair.<\/span><\/p>\n

‘How much do I owe you?’\u00a0 <\/span>She asked, reaching into her purse.<\/span>
\n ‘Nothing,’ I said<\/span>
\n You have to make a living,’ she answered.<\/span>
\n ‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.<\/span>
\n
\nAlmost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nShe held onto me tightly.
\n‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said.<\/span>
\n ‘Thank you.’<\/span><\/p>\n

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.<\/span>
\nBehind me, a door shut. <\/span>
\nIt was the sound of the closing of a life..<\/span><\/p>\n

I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. <\/span>
\nI drove aimlessly lost in thought.<\/span>
\nFor the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. <\/span>
\nWhat if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?<\/span>
\n What if I had refused to take the run,\u00a0 or had honked once, then driven away?<\/span><\/p>\n

On a quick review,\u00a0 I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.<\/span>
\n We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.<\/span>
\n But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.<\/span><\/p>\n

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.<\/strong><\/p>\n

blessings,
\n\ud83d\ude42 Lee
\nThe Mega Coach<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

from a friend…. 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. 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For 30 years he has studied what motivates human\/spiritual beings. His life passion focuses on inspiring people to grow, awaken and actualize their divine potential. As co-founder of the Power of Acknowledgement organization in the eighties, Lee and his mentor, Michael Wyman shared a powerful technology to uplift people to achieve their dreams. In 1985, Lee and Michael served as motivational coaches for the New York Rangers working directly with Craig Patrick, who was assistant coach on the legendary 1980 US Olympic Hockey team. Lee also founded Insights to Excellence, Inc., a sales and management consulting and training organization. He developed and presented seminars designed to empower people to actualize their full potential, both personally and professionally. Lee's has two passions. As The MEGA Coach, his focus is to inspire people to live the divine plan of their lives. In addition, Lee is a Wealth Advisor in financial services and retirement planning. He provides effective financial solutions that guarantee protection, security and financial freedom. Lee graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester and an MBA in Finance and Human Resource Management from the University of San Diego. Lee uplifts people to make each day a masterpiece. 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