Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I had to go for my yearly mammogram today... I'm always a bit anxious about this since my grandmother died of breast cancer and my mom has had it too (although she's fine). 

I went last year for the first time and it  was a very unpleasant experience, not helped by the technician who attended to me, so I was pretty much dreading it today.   

To my great relief and joy, the woman technician who worked with me today was an absolute ANGEL....her compassion and excellence at her job just made SUCH a difference in my experience.  She was so professional and courteous.  When she finished, I told her "You are SOOOO good at your job, I just want to thank you for making this so easy for me".  She smiled at me and suddenlty, I broke down crying telling her about my family and my previous horrible experience.  She listened and then gave me a big hug.  She hugged again until I felt better.   Her compassion was so heartfelt and genuine and she made my experience so much more positive.  I'm getting choked up just writing this. 

She gave me a card so I could ask for her next time (you bet I will!).  She said "We sometimes just do this routinely, trying to get in so many patients; we sometimes forget that everyone has a story."  I am so grateful to her for not only doing her job well, but for taking the time to hear my story. You know that I will be writing a letter of gratitude to her supervisor telling her how lucky she is to have such a wonderful woman working there. :-)

And to anyone who works in ANY part of the health care system--please know that everyone who comes in has a story and YOUR SMILE and attitude can make a BIG difference to them.