September 20, 2026
Thirteen years ago, I had a heart attack and received, at the hands of a skillful surgeon, a stent to open up my left anterior descending artery. (A stent is a “little” item, with big, life-saving effect.)*
The night after my procedure, I could not sleep, so I wandered around the hospital halls. On my travels, I met one of the custodians and stopped to chat.
Me: What is your name?
Him: Eden
Me: Eden, I want you to know that you are as much a part of the medical team here, as the doctors and nurses. Your work matters. Thank-you.
The look on his face told me that no one had ever said that to him before. And he needed to know.
(Consider how long a hospital could stay functioning if there were no cleaning staff!!)
What small word or deed could you do this week that will be a big blessing to someone you encounter?
*If you like to read interesting true stories, check out the book “Heart” by Dick Cheney and his long time cardiologist. Years ago I read this and I think that the story of the stent is in that book.
