Today after work I stopped at the Sam’s Club gas station for a fill-up. A really sweet older gentleman named Dave works back there, and he came out to talk to me.
“Are you working on Monday?” he asked.
I told him no, and that I wasn’t going to be working for awhile because I was starting school Monday. I had talked to him about my studies before, and a smile came across his face.
“Well I need a prescription filled, and I trust you being back there.”
I was tickled. “Really?” I asked. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel good?” I was half joking, half serious.
“Well I know that’s what you’re going to school for,” he replied.
He went on to tell me about how he needs certain meds before a procedure he’s getting at Northwestern next week. Apparently he’ll be out of work recovering for quite awhile.
Of all of the recent happenings that have revealed the reality of the fact that I will be a health care professional in about four years, this one hit home the most. Here is a colleague of sorts, spilling out his personal information to me and trusting me with his health-related issues.
I’m realizing that it’s time for me to really own up to my actions and to be responsible. Once I put on that white coat, people will come to me with questions, and I will be held accountable for the answers I give them.
As I went to leave, I called to Dave, “Good luck with everything!”
He turned back, pointed to me, and said, “No, good luck to you.”
