|
06-18-2012, 11:28 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Trussville, Alabama-Originally from Vidalia,GA
Posts: 642
Likes: 10
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
The Cab Ride
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. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. 'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.' 'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?' 'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.. 'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice. ' I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice.. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. 'What route would you like me to take?' I asked. For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds 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 nothing. As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse. 'Nothing,' I said 'You have to make a living,' she answered. 'There are other passengers,' I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. 'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.' I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.. I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one. PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL. |
06-18-2012, 12:05 PM | #2 |
Veteran Member
|
Re: The Cab Ride
Lots to think about after reading this story. Sometimes it's hard to treat others the way you would want to be treated. God has instilled all of us with the capacity of compassion that too many times is not used. Good story Frank, thanks. Jim
.
__________________
Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 D2 National Open Stock Champion 1981 D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association. |
06-18-2012, 12:22 PM | #3 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toms River NJ
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 401
Liked 52 Times in 24 Posts
|
Re: The Cab Ride
Thankyou Frank like Jim said lot to think about.
__________________
Dennis P Chapman 1904 STK NHRA National Record Holder Car Owner. |
06-18-2012, 01:02 PM | #4 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 3,252
Liked 683 Times in 292 Posts
|
Re: The Cab Ride
What makes this even better is that has been confirmed as not just a great story but a true story:
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/cabride.asp |
06-19-2012, 06:51 AM | #5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Trussville, Alabama-Originally from Vidalia,GA
Posts: 642
Likes: 10
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
Re: The Cab Ride
Quote:
Thanks Jim, I had this for along time. Looking back in some of my documents I saw it remembered I posted it awhile back and reposted it. Just makes you wonder what the heck happened to compassion in this country. frank |
|
06-19-2012, 10:14 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
Re: The Cab Ride
Many things have been lost in this country over the years.
Here are a few... 1) Good clean fun... no longer available... 2) Common sense... very rare these days... 3)Common courtesy... even more rare... 4) Self Respect... Too many think too much of themselves, and many others think too little of themselves.. David The New Hemi Guy |
06-23-2012, 09:39 PM | #7 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Bern, NC
Posts: 17
Likes: 126
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: The Cab Ride
Thanks Frank, thats a really great story Tim
__________________
T. Monaghan 1006 S/S & Stk |
|
|