“Blood, sweat, and tears”

I went out of my way the other day.

I needed to get a simple blood test for an upcoming physical. I could have stopped at any number of labs and testing sites. However, I made a special effort to visit one particular lab.

A reason for my madness!

–I didn’t go for the location. It was in the opposite direction from where I was headed.

–I didn’t go for the wonderful ambiance. Stiff chairs stand at attention in the waiting room in front of an ugly green wall. It’s straight out of central casting. It looks more like a sterile lunatic asylum instead of a state-of-the-art clinical laboratory testing center.

–I didn’t go because I love getting my blood taken. I’m actually a big baby. I hate needles.

I went because three of the phlebotomists I’ve had there are great. Oh, they work fast and are good at their jobs, but I could probably get that anywhere. It’s more than that. I love that they create a cheery atmosphere. They take their jobs seriously, but they find reasons to laugh. I’ve always left feeling better than when I walked in.

I’ve . . . um, enjoyed getting my blood tested? Really?

…How you would like to treated

I think there’s a lesson in there. A lesson in how we treat others. A lesson too in making others feel better in the not so great moments in life.

Who are the people in your regular run-ins who make you feel better?