I had to go the pharmacy yesterday to pick up a prescription. The pharmacy is second to the DMV on my list of things I don’t want to do. To make it even worse, the weather was hot and extremely humid.
During the elevator ride down to the street I decided to make it an Olympic event. I would time myself to see if I could make it back in less than the usual 45 minutes. As I was walking toward the bus stop, the B25 passed me and stopped at the red light. “Can I make it to the stop before the bus pulls out? Should I run?” I decided to run, and the operator obliged me by opening the door; sometimes they don’t. I thanked him and took my seat enjoying the air conditioning. While on the bus, a fellow passenger asked if anyone on the bus knew if this was Jay Street. I responded with the directions.
I walked into the pharmacy and headed directly to the back. To my surprise, there wasn’t anyone else in line. I went up to the clerk who used to be a very unhappy camper but now greets me with a smile; she even knows my name. (I like to think this is due to the joke I made several months ago that made her laugh and created a connection.) I picked up the meds and left the store.
Just outside the door, I saw a B26 standing at the bus stop and a red light. I inched my way across the street waving to the driver. He, also, obliged and held the bus for me. The bus was crowded, so I stood by the back door. When it came time to signal my stop I had to reach way across some folks to pull the cord. The guy standing next to me motioned to the call button right in front of me. I laughed and commented on my big fat eyes missing it. He responded in the most gentle and kind voice, not to be so hard on myself. I patted his shoulder, thanked him and exited the bus.
I won the gold medal; I made the trip in 15 minutes, less time than it has taken me to write about it. I was jubilant but it wasn’t just the record breaking time: my helpfulness to a fellow passenger, the cooperation of the bus drivers, the pleasant clerk at the pharmacy, and the kindness of a stranger made the trip one for the books. I think I made this happen because I am willing to help, able to ask for help, try to make things better and listen to one’s wise words.