As a healthcare provider, I have been fortunate to observe many acts of kindness, but one simple interaction stands out in my mind and heart above all the others.  This experience occurred more than 30 years ago when I was still in school studying radiology, yet I continue to feel its impact and lesson even today. 

In the early 1980’s there was not much in the way of x-ray classes and we were just thrown into the mix and learned through experience.  I normally had a very sunny disposition and always tried to go the extra mile for my patients although I worked all day at the hospital and then all night as a cocktail waitress and the the lack of sleep would eventually catch up to me making it hard to focus. 

On one such day when I was  particularly exhausted and could barely keep my eyes open, I managed to mumble the standard script to my patient, “Take in a breath, hold it, and breath.”  I suppose that my exhaustion was easy to see, as my patient put her hand on my arm, looked me in the eyes with nothing but compassion and said, “You're having a bad day aren't you dear, I hope everything is O.K.”  Despite my exhaustion, this reaction had a profound affect upon me.  Here was this sick woman, draped in a hospital gown with her rear end hanging out, cold and hungry, yet she was treating me with compassion and love.  I was so touched by this woman’s action, and so ashamed at how callous I had behaved, but when I apologized to her for my insensitive behavior, she refused accept it and just continued to smile. 

To this day, I can still see that dear woman’s face and while I can't say that I haven't ever had another bad day, when I do, I quickly remember that experience and am charged with compassion.  In fact, I still get teary-eyed 30 years later when I think of her.