157. Past
Observations
Good can come from anyone
Dan was a retired podiatrist in his 80's. We were acquaintances for fourteen years. He lived a block from me. He always seemed emotionally cool, clinical and analytical in all his dealings. As with many older people in Florida, he was self-involved and I did not feel he would be there for me if I needed him. We even had a brief political debate a long time ago and seemed eons apart in our views.
I fractured my toe at some point and despite seeing two different doctors, receiving x-rays and MRI’s, the foot would not heal for a long time. The doctors, as often the case, were not clear on their answers and would just not tell me what I needed to know. One day I ran across Dan and he said to call him if I had any questions. Normally I would think he was just being polite with little substance. Still I called. Surprisingly, Dan told me to stop by and he would look at it. When I did, he attentively listened to what I had done until that point, listened to my questions, such as whether to wear a foot brace or not, examined the foot and said these things take about 3 months to heal and that I should engage in moderate activity. All was simple advice I wasn’t getting from the doctors.
In essence, Dan had been surprisingly helpful and caring. So much for pre-judgments. Here was a man who professed no belief or awareness of a maker existing, but who had goodness spring out of him. He even offered advice saying “don’t put off what you want to do,” when talking about life. So, there is decency in people whether they believe in a maker or not.
At another time I had an ingrain toe nail and the doctor’s advice again was cloudy. It was very annoying. I went to Dan after taking a chance with minor surgery and another long healing again. Dan gave to me a time frame which was just what I needed to know. He did say at the end though “next time I’ll charge you.”
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