Yesterday...

as I was driving, I saw an elderly man fall on a sidewalk. I quickly pulled my car over and ran to help him. By the time I was at his side, he had started to stand up, and I gently took his arm to hold him steady. It was then I realized we were standing in front of a Medical Center.

He told me he was on his way to buy lottery tickets. I gently persuaded him to come inside the medical building with me, for someone to check the bump on his forehead. Then maybe later he could go to the store. The bump was smaller than a ping pong ball, yet I was concerned.

Once in the medical building, we found out he was 92 years of age, and lived nearby with his daughter and family. They were, however, all away for a few days. Once the Doctor saw the bump near a prominent vein on the mans' forehead, he strongly suggested a trip to the the hospital. Despite some resistance, the man agreed to go, but only to the hospital where his nephew was a Doctor. It was not the closest one, but the Doctor agreed that this man should go where his nephew would give him comfort. A telephone call was made, his nephew was on call, and an ambulance was dispatched. To my surprise, when I heard the name of the hospital, I said aloud "I was born there!"

When I found out the mans' nephew was "Dr. T" well, I nearly fell off my chair. Dr. T's Father was our family doctor for years, and had since retired. This made the elderly gentleman and Dr. T's father - brothers. I could not believe all these coincidences were coming out.

I waited for the Ambulance to come, and watched as they helped him into the unit. He felt better knowing his nephew would be waiting for him when he arrived at the hospital. I also thought about our connection. Columbus hospital where I was born, and this mans' brother being our family doctor. I think this incident will remain in my memory bank for a long time.