Like Sunshine on a Snowy Day

I entered the building where I was to have the MRI for my aching back, pounding the snow from my boots. Intent upon loosening every last piece of slush, I was interrupted when I heard someone call out, “Good morning!”

I looked up to see two women sitting at the front desk in the lobby. One was chatting away on the telephone—busy with another client, but smiling and waving at me. The other just sat, grinning. Grinning at me, her headset atop her head like some wild tech-headband. Then she exclaimed again, “Good morning!”

I smiled back. How could I not? These two were utterly adorable!

Turns out, the one on the phone—Barbara—had been the woman I’d actually spoken to the day before when I was trying to get the test scheduled in the first place. I’d let my lower back pain go on way too long, and Barbara was willing to go the extra mile, listening to my laments, vowing that she could find me an appointment for the test soon. Very soon.

And by golly, she had!

I don’t know if Barbara had jotted down a little note next to my name in the appointment roster or what, but as I walked toward them, she mouthed “Hi, Pam!” (since she was still on the phone) “Joan will check you in!” Joan was the one who’d greeted me—twice—with her very cheery Good Mornings.

How sweet it felt to be remembered and to have been called by name. Their warmth and kindness rolled over me like well-needed sunshine on this bitter, winter day. Joan and Barbara had made my day!

“Oh, we try! You know?” Joan continued. “I was a school teacher for many, many years and I never could understand the people who would just walk by each other and never say anything! My goodness! It’s the morning! Just say, ‘Good morning!’ I don’t understand people who can’t even say, ‘Hello!’”

A little while later when I was heading out, I was happy to see that they hadn’t gone to lunch or anything, yet. I wanted to be able to say thank you one more time.

I had experienced the impact of being welcomed—and their kindness wasn’t going to leave me anytime soon.

Some may say, “Well, that’s their job!” and that would be correct. But Joan and Barbara are doing it exceptionally well. 

~ Pamela Klein, Editor of Walk the Way Blog