As a child, I was taught to do my part, to be responsible: take the garbage out, feed the dog, clean my room, do my homework. I was taught to say please and thank you, excuse me, I’m sorry.
These simple lessons helped me become a responsible adult contributing to my community: as a public educator, community organizer, offering leadership at my church, volunteering at nature reserves and mentoring young people.
I show up for my family, keep the weeds pulled in my yard and put my shopping cart away. Doing my part creates a place for me, allows me to belong.
Early in the morning, Nov. 8, I ended up at the Montrose Regional Hospital emergency room with COVID.
The nurses and doctors were kind, attentive and their sole purpose was to help me feel better. They ran tests and treated me accordingly. They listened and took time to answer my questions. Clearly, they have each learned some of the same childhood lessons.
I made a point to thank each nurse and each doctor for taking care of me, and for taking care of all those in COVID distress across the past 20 months. I am just one of so many. Each and every one of them stopped, looked at me, seemed to take a breath and said, “Thank you for saying that. We don’t hear it very often.”
How can that be? Instead, sometimes, after doing their work to help someone breathe easier, they have been harassed, even... (More)
