Most Important Question
During my second month of nursing school,
our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a
conscientious student and had breezed through
the questions, until I read the last one: ‘What
is the first name of the woman who cleans the
school?” Surely this was some kind of joke.
I had seen the cleaning woman several times.
She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how
would I know her name? I handed in my paper,
leaving the last question blank. Before class
ended, one student asked if the last question
would count toward our quiz grade.
Absolutely, said the professor. “In your careers
you will meet many people. All are significant.
They deserve your attention and care, even if
all you do is smile and say hello”. I’ve never
forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name
was Dorothy.