Touching lives

Barb and I have self-quarantined in our home for weeks now. We are both seniors, I have an underlying condition and we simply have chosen to “flatten the curve”. We want to help stop the spread of this terrible virus.

We have it easy compared to the thousands of heroes who are working in hospitals, doctor offices, emergency medicine, food stores and delivering food to groceries for us. Their sacrifice and commitment are nothing short of amazing. What I wouldn’t give for a hug from one or all of my grandkids right about now. But again, not even in the same ballpark as compared to what so many others are giving up for us.

I wrote this leadership letter many years ago. I am dedicating this to the men and women “on the front lines” right now who excel at what George Matthew Adams referred to as the “greatest asset you can have”.

George Matthew Adams (August 23, 1878 - October 29, 1962) was an American newspaper columnist and founder of the George Matthew Adams Newspaper Service, which syndicated comic strips and columns to newspapers for five decades. His own writings were circulated widely to The Gettysburg Times and many other newspapers.

He once wrote: “I wonder if the human touch, which people have, is not one of the greatest assets that you can have. You meet some people, and immediately you feel their warmth of mind or heart. You read a book, sit before the performance of a fine actor or read a poem and there it is; something that streams into your consciousness…those who keep climbing higher, in their chosen work, all have this outstanding something. The nurse in the hospital, the man who delivers your mail, the clerk behind a store counter, and the effective minister or public speaker. Without this human touch, hope has little on which to feed or thrive.”

I am a creature of habit. While living in NJ about five years ago, most mornings, I would wake, check emails, workout and leave the house between 6-6:15am. I then headed to a Dunkin Donuts near work and ordered the same breakfast sandwich (#10) and iced tea each day. I did this partly because if I left at 6am, there was no traffic. If I left at 7am, I would sit in bumper to bumper traffic for much of my commute.

So, over the months I had gotten to know the four workers behind the counter at Dunkin Donuts. They became a part of my day. My new friends! They seemed to look out for me, knew when I travel or was sick and didn’t come in. And I really threw them for a loop if I ordered a hot tea instead of iced tea when I was feeling “under the weather”. When I walked in, one person would see me and start to cook my sandwich while another started to get my iced tea. By the time I got to the counter, the young lady was keying in my order and would ask “The regular, Glen?” They were all good at what they did, and they became a part of my life and vice versa.

Why am I writing this? As I age, I see the value of knowing others. Not just through a transaction, but really getting to know and caring about someone. Somehow the simple act of getting breakfast is now important to me. I looked forward to seeing my friends and maybe making their day a little brighter as they made mine.

I think Mr. Adams nailed it when he talked about the power of touching others’ lives. Most of the time, it takes just a little more effort and we can step up into the level of friendship. If I were twenty again, I would have risked it a little more. If I had, I would not have missed so many opportunities to touch others’ lives.

Thanks to all who are sacrificing so much for us now. We will come out of this stronger. Stay well my friends. And to all of the incredible nurses, Happy Nurses Day!

With a goal to “help the next one in line”, Glen Cavallo, a 30+ year healthcare executive has chosen to share the many lessons he has learned with others. Glen does this by serving as a coach/advisor to leaders at all levels of organizations, as a board member and as he presents inspirational speeches at regional, national, annual and awards meetings.