A kind word can do wonders

We all are a bit stressed these days. Hah – that’s an understatement.

So I decided to bite the bullet and schedule some health screenings that I had put off because of COVID. Yes, I was very nervous about going into the hospital. I still picture millions of COVID germs floating around in the air there. I’m thinking that maybe I could hold my breath while I’m in the hospital.

There is a whole “process” now. You sit in the parking lot and call a special number. You are then interrogated about your health. I did manage to make the screening person laugh though when he asked if I had been out to any high risk places in the past month. I told him I had not left my house. This person was very nice and did put me at ease. He said that he would meet me at the door and escort me to my appointment. He was the technician who would be doing the test.

Now most technicians are not the friendliest people in the world. I can’t say as I blame them; they have a tough job looking at computer screens all day and dealing with anxious patients. Sometimes I think there is way too much focus on the technology of the screenings, rather than the patient.

Not so this gentleman (I am sorry that I didn’t catch his name.) Immediately he put me at ease. Once in the examination room, I asked if it was okay if I put some more hand sanitizer on my hands. He said, “Sure – we are all in this together.” He made nice small talk during the whole time. I could tell that he really enjoyed his work and most importantly, he enjoyed the patients.

That encounter really made my day. It set the happy tone for the rest of the day. It also made me realize the power of a kind word.

What positive experiences have you had lately?