[CitizensTruth] what we do matters

[Hal Snyder]

This note is from a personal friend, posted with her permission.

I think every interaction we have with another being is an  
opportunity for positive change, whether explicit issues-based  
dialogue takes place or not. In fact, practicing at this part can  
help a lot when it comes to the issues talk.

Hal

This I believe…What You Do Matters
By Sharon Wiseman

Seven years ago, my husband, Dan underwent grueling treatment for  
Stage IV neck cancer. The treatment involved five weeks in the  
hospital with one week between hospital stays. In the hospital, he  
received chemo 24 hours a day and radiation treatments, on the neck,  
twice a day. In addition, there were extra weeks, in the hospital,  
due to infections, dehydration and a blood clot in the lung.

University of Chicago Hospital was Dan’s “home away from home” for  
his treatment. We were fortunate to live in the Chicago area, so  
daily visits, with him hospitalized, were possible. The hospital  
encouraged drivers to use the valet parking which was made  
affordable. The parking around the hospital was very difficult.

Prior to Dan’s stay, in the hospital, he went once a week for six  
weeks for chemo induction. Needless to say, there were a lot of trips  
to the University of Chicago Hospital. And we used the valet parking  
service each time.

Dan and I noticed and remarked how we both hoped we would get a  
certain valet parker. He was always so nice. The others were nice, as  
well, but we felt pulled to this person. During a very difficult  
hospital week for Dan, I was leaving the hospital late one evening.  
Our favorite valet parker brought the car to me. I told him how both  
Dan and I hoped he would be the one to take our car or bring it to us.
I asked what was it that made what he did so different from the others.

He told me he used to look at his work- valet parking cars, at the  
hospital, – as “just a job.” Then, his young son became ill. He said  
he realized that what he was experiencing, then, was what so many go  
through who are patients or who have loved ones, in the hospital. He  
said when his son was, in the hospital, and so ill, he felt like he  
was walking around without his skin. He felt totally exposed to  
everything and everyone he came into contact with. He felt  
supersensitive to anything, the human touch, tenderness, criticism,  
slights, etc.

His son recovered and he remembered his experience when he returned  
to valet parking cars, at the hospital. He said he realized now that  
he was part of the “healing team” at the hospital. He added that  
people are hurting so much who come to the hospital as patients or as  
loved ones of patients. And everyone these people come into contact  
with, at the hospital, can help to ease their pain. How he treats the  
people who come to him to take or bring their cars to them, matters.

I have never forgotten this exchange. Sadly, I don’t remember his  
name. Maybe that is part of the numbness that comes from living  
through extreme situations.
My husband did survive, in fact, he is thriving. What I do try to  
remember is that we are all part of something larger than ourselves.  
And that actions and gestures of kindness and healing do make a  
difference in people’s lives.

The man is right. He is part of the “healing team.” How he does his  
job matters – it affects people. It affected me. It affected my  
husband. It still affects me. He chose to help. It made a difference.

Who will I be in contact with today? How will I do my job? How will I  
affect others? It makes a difference. I choose to be part of the  
“healing team” too. I don’t work in healthcare. I work in a library.  
I work behind the scenes to provide training and development for  
staff. I come into contact with a lot of people. How I do my job  
matters. It affects people. I choose to help.
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