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Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Trying to Even the Score

The news lately has been so depressing. It's just my nature that I take things (overly) seriously, and allow myself to be impacted pretty deeply. I've always been that way. I was really upset to see this story about that idiot Haggard. I like the way Joe presented the story here. I was also bummed to see this yesterday (another JMG reference). Yes, the response is clever, but it's depressing, too. Government sanctioned discrimination. Still? Really? It's getting old.

So I hesitate to post this because it's going to sound very self-congratulatory, but maybe it will somehow spread a little positive vibe.

This morning at the dentist I was in the waiting room trying not to hyperventilate while waiting for my appointment. Another woman was there and she had with her a girl who must have been her daughter, and about four or so kids who were maybe her grandkids. The kids were all young and loud and I honestly didn't even notice specifically how many there were because they were kind of irritating and I was wishing they weren't there. I smiled at the oldest woman (maybe in her mid-50's) and thought for just a minute how exhausting it must be to have all those kids to take care of. And then I went back to my Lamaze breathing.

Anyway, long story longer (See? I told you), the kids all had appointments but the woman didn't. She asked if they could fit her in for a check-up while the kids were being seen, and it worked out that the office had just received a cancellation. Then came this awkward discussion about insurance, and how the kids had insurance but she didn't, and she wasn't able to pay for her appointment right then. The front desk lady was nice but definitely stumped for a minute on how to handle that. They had to bring another staff member into the discussion about how to handle a client without insurance, and finally the woman asked how much the cleaning would be and if she could just take the appointment and post-date a check. The staff members discussed it and then agreed, but the whole thing was a little tense.

God, it just depressed me. I've been without money and it sucks. And the health insurance part of that is a whole 'nother problem. I'm currently in my second month of COBRA-ing my benefits, and I pay $400 a month for what used to cost me $60. I'm very thankful I can afford to do that, but I won't be able to forever, and I know even with that shitty scenario I'm one of the lucky ones. Post-dating checks and worrying about providing the basics is such a drain.

Anyway, I paid for her cleaning. I gave the billing lady my card and asked her to please, please not let the woman know who it was or that it even had happened until after I was finished and gone. Sometimes when I'm really low and feel like the bad guys are winning, someone throws me a rope and I suddenly feel like it might be ok. I hope that woman gets a rest from those crazy grandkids and I hope she feels like she's going to be ok.

15 comments:

  1. Wow, that was so kind of you! I think you should've told the dentist what you did and ask if she/he could hook you up with some sweet, sweet nitrous. Even if you're just in there for a cleaning, a little laughing gas really makes it go SO much smoother...

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  2. Wow! You seriously rock. Reading that really made my day.

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  3. this is very cool. Paying it forward...
    Just as a side note - would you mind covering my student loans?? :) (this is her brother for all of you who think i'm being rude)

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  4. You so totally rock. That made my day as I'm sure it made hers.

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  5. I love, love, love pay-it-forward stories! *big huge smile your way*

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  6. I once saw a young lady in Beaverton Oregon, standing on the side of the road with a sign that said, "Everyone needs a little help once in a while". I always remember that. It's so true and YOU are awesome!

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  7. That was awesome of you!

    You shall now be known as the Oprah of bloggers. Congrats!

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  8. Thanks for the really nice comments, guys. I know, I'm so great - I do something nice and then post it on the Internet for the world to see. :( I thought about not writing it, and then I thought about writing it but turning the comments off, but I just decided to put it out there. I guess I was just hoping it would be encouraging to someone. I love the sign that someone mentioned - "Everyone needs a little help once in a while." That is so true. I've been on both sides of that, and so I help people when I can, and I hope someone is there to help me when I need it. I hope that makes sense.

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  9. mmm...love it.
    man, i am BEHIND in reading your blog!

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  10. that is just inspiring. i know i'd be too self-absorbed to do such a thing but i wish i would even think of it the next time a situation comes up.

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  11. West - I don't see an e-mail link on your blog so I'll reply here. I admit that I have never met anyone more self-absorbed than I am. It's true. You strike me as more self-reflective than totally self-absorbed, which is one reason I love to read your posts - they sound like a (very familiar) internal monologue more than anything. I'm certain almost everybody would have recognized this opportunity to help. Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  12. That is great! Good for you. That seriously was a really nice thing to do and I bet it meant a lot to that woman. And by that I mean, that money could go to other things now. Awesome!

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  13. sheeeeesh where were you when I needed a new car ???
    Seriously though that was great of you. I stand ( actually I am sitting ) in awe of your awesomeness !!!!

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  14. You are so f-in rad. Have I ever told you that??? :)

    PS. I'm so glad you decided to go ahead and post it. Look how many days you made by doing that!

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