Boston Children’s Hospital, located on Longwood Avenue in Boston, is the number one hospital in the United States for neurology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and many other special areas. The main entrance is particularly colorful; Many different colored columns and banners surround the doorway. The hospital is decorated with bright tones of yellow, green, red, and blue, giving the hospital a more welcoming, positive feeling. Since it is the best ranked hospital in the United States, people from all over go to visit. In fact, many different languages and emotions can be seen or heard when walking around the hospital. There are often preachers from a variety of different religions visiting patients, and diverse clothing choices representing culture or religion.
I visit Boston Children’s every month for checkups and tests. Each time I visit, I see an elderly man named Donald. He is a fairly tall man, with tan skin, always wearing large wire glasses, and a baseball cap. I met Donald when I came for my first checkup after my diagnosis when I was twelve years old. Donald volunteers at the Radiology Unit, making sure patients are situated, calm, and safe. On the day I first met him, I was wearing my red Patrick Kane t-shirt. After being assigned my own waiting room, Donald knocked on the door. “Come in!” I said. After Donald entered the room, he immediately looked at me and said, “You got a lot of guts wearin’ that shirt around here, Miss.” He now calls me “Chicago Girl” because of that day. Each time I have an appointment for testing, I see Donald smiling and caring for many patients and their families. He often carries paper flowers around with him to give to the little girls that are sick to make them smile. When he sees me, he makes sure to come greet me, and always brings up my Blackhawks t-shirt.
One of the courses in college I took required me hand in a structured interview on a person of choice. So, as lovely as he is, I arranged to meet with Donald on the first floor of the hospital in Au Bon Pain after a checkup. I can tell he was excited because he was exceedingly talkative and smiley. We ordered coffee and muffins, and then found a quiet place to sit. The cafe smelled like freshly baked cookies and coffee and it’s tinted lighting gave the place a soothing feel. Donald pulled out a purple paper flower out of his pocket and handed it to me saying, “Just incase you needed one today,” while smiling. My first question for Donald was about why he chose to volunteer. He took a sip of his coffee then leaned back into his chair while taking a deep breath. He first started off by telling me that his wife passed away six years ago with Alzheimer’s Disease. His large, contagious smile started to fade. He then explained the environment and aid his wife had received throughout her disease’s journey. “Nobody quit caring for her, I tell you. She smiled, even though she did not remember much,” Donald explained. He remembered student volunteers painting with her and holding her hand. He also remembered how much she thanked them and smiled. After reflecting on those times, his smile starts to come back, which means my smile comes out too. Donald explained to me that he wants to make people who are suffering smile as much as he can, just like they did for his wife.
Donald started telling me a story about him and his wife's trip to Greece the year before she started experiencing symptoms. The two of them ate all kinds of food they have never heard of before and explored many outstanding places. He said they both ate lollipops with bugs inside of them and that it tasted like salty chicken. They spent ten days in Rhodes, Greece, dancing, exploring, swimming, and eating. He said it was the best vacation of his life, even better than their honeymoon in Maine.
Today when I am given something, being cared for, or receiving a compliment, I make sure to return the favor as meaningfully as I can. Donald has taught me the best gift in life is free, which is making people smile. He also taught me to not always take but also give, even if it is just a paper flower. Whenever I have an appointment that does not call for visiting the radiology center, I make sure to stop by anyway to say hello to Donald. The imprint Donald left on me after the cafe trip together, will last forever; In fact, I signed up to volunteer at a local hospital so I can follow his logic. I hope the future gains fellows like Donald — who just want to make people smile.
