Finding Humanity

I spent the better part of last week with a loved one at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Hospital.

Thankfully, she’s doing well—on the road to a complete recovery—and my time there ended up being truly inspiring.

M.D. Anderson is 9 MILLION square feet—and 25,000 professionals—all dedicated to, as their slogan says, “Making Cancer History.”

But after spending so much time there, I can say with absolute certainty, Anderson exemplified the BEST—not just in cancer care—but in HUMANITY. Pure and simple.

Every person that walks through their doors has a story.

Some are desperate. Some are hopeful. Some are scared. Some are brave. Some are reeling. Some are resolute.

They come from all walks of life—and all corners of the world.

But to a person—at least as I experienced it—every single individual I encountered was kind. And caring. And helpful. And patient. And positive. And reassuring.

Not just the staff—or the volunteers. But the loved ones of other patients, as well.

People greeted each other in passing. In the hallways. In the elevators. In the waiting areas. On the floors.

Good morning. Hello. How’re you doing. Have a nice day.

They smiled. They wished each other well. They shared helpful tips. They pointed those who were lost in the right direction. They said, “Don’t worry. Just follow me.”

In a mutual time of need, strangers helped strangers—gently, generously, happily.

At a time when people’s dignity was at stake, everyone’s humanity shown through.

And no one—I mean NO ONE—was treated as “less than.”

Not because they used a wheelchair. Or a walker. Or a cane. Or walked slowly. Or couldn’t find their way around the maze that is M.D. Anderson. Or couldn’t speak English.

Or was in the throes of a heavy-duty case of brain fog (myself, included).

Which makes me wonder:

If people experiencing the most trying of times can be so magnanimous toward those who may be similarly struggling, why can’t people not nearly as vulnerable be understanding and giving toward those who may need just a little bit of help?

Like older adults, for instance?

We shouldn’t have to be patients at M.D. Anderson to reap the benefits that humanity has to offer.

After all, we’re all walking this path of life together. If we’re lucky, we’ll all get to experience the journey toward old age.

The least we can do is treat those in front of us with Kindness. Care. Generosity. Patience.

And—most of all—HUMANITY.