The Last Ride...

I heard this story from a friend:

“A cabbie in Manhattan received a call from a residence in the older part of the Eastside. Though modest, the apartments were well-maintained. As he arrived, he noticed a parting of the curtains on a first floor window. Instead of honking, he waited and then decided to go up the stairs to the apartment. When he got there he was greeted by a frail old woman with her suitcase. He asked her to wait and he took her suitcase down to the trunk of the cab. Returning, he helped her slowly down the stairs and into the cab.

“Before pulling down the meter he asked where she wanted to go. She passed forward a slip of paper with the address and said, ‘Actually it is a hospice. My doctor tells me my days are limited, and since I have no family to stay with, he has recommended this home. But before we go there, I wonder if you would drive downtown. I have money in my purse to cover the fare.’

“The cabbie agreed and headed south through the traffic and followed her instructions. They stopped by a hospital and she pointed it out as the place she was born. They then traveled to a place she said she grew up as a child. They continued on for two hours driving around the city as she showed him places and told of her life experiences. Finally they came to the location of the hospice. He helped her out and she was greeted by someone who took her suitcase. She thanked the cabbie for his warm attention and said that this was one of the most special days of her life. She asked how much she owed for the ride and the cabbie said, “Ma'am, there is no charge, I never put the meter on. I too, have had one of the most special days of my life.’

“The cabbie had no further fares for the day but spent the time reflecting on the events. He asked himself, ‘what if I had just honked and driven away when no one appeared for the ride? What if I hadn’t taken the time to go up and bring her suitcase and her down the steps? What if had got worried about the time going by on a long trip around the city? What if I missed out on having one of the most special days of my life?"

Just wow.  I'm going to write about my last ride so that my descendants and friends have some knowledge about my life experiences.