Wednesday, July 15, 2009

How to Quantify Good Care

I went to the Farmer's Market today, because I wanted some fresh corn, and the produce section at our Super Wally World sucks.

"How much is the corn?" I inquired of the sweet farmer lady with the huge pickup truck bed full of ears of corn.

"Six fo' two dolla or a dozen fo' tree," she said.

I told her that six was plenty and handed her two bucks. She counted out eight ears and handed them to me in a gently used Wally World plastic bag.

"I think you gave me a couple more than I paid for," says I, not wanting to cheat the sweet farmer lady out of 50 cents worth of corn.

"Oh, I knows," she replied. "I did it a purpose. You took care of mama in the 'Mergency Room over Christmas time when she done had her stroke. You brang me a blanket and some coffee when they didn't have no rooms to put her in upstairs. I jest wanted ta say thanks."

A short discussion later I found out that mama was back at the farm, no worse for the wear. In fact, if I come back next week for some more corn, I could talk to her myself, because she'd prolly be there. I said I would try to do so, bid her farewell, and went on my way.

So now you know. A cup of hot coffee and a warm blanket is worth two ears of corn.

And it was damn good corn, too.

11 comments:

MonkeySister said...

I'm sure there's some reference here that you can make in regards to Obama's healthcare plan and corn, but sadly, I'm not able to come up with anything. :)

Christine said...

Always nice to be appreciated.

Sarah said...

It's always nice to see what becomes of some of our patients. So often we only see the bad side of the situation. It can really suck the life out of you.

WWWebb said...

I love your astute ear for dialect- you transcribe it well.

Nurse Sourcer said...

Always love to hear such stories! it's good to be appreciated in the mad-mad world! Cheers, Julie

Full-On-Forward said...

Pres-Gainey would be so proud! Way to go MG!!!

PS: Had another stent- umb ass heart. Doing OK, but they won't release me to go back yet. Went back after 3 days and didn't do so well. Have me off for two weeks and we'll go from there.

I loved the old days when I worked in the office and you could actually barter for food. Back in the late 70's. It was so cool, and times were much simpler then!

Enjoy the coen,

John

Kacey said...

I clicked on your name and was thrilled to see you are sticking up a few new posts. You have been missed... and you are worth every nibblit of two ears of corn!
Those are the moments that tell you that you were right to go into nursing.

Anonymous said...

That was a great post . . thanks for sharing. It is always about the little things!

Anonymous said...

I *heart* farm ladies. And good nurses, it goes without saying.

. said...

That was very cool!

Grumpy, M.D. said...

II like that. It's always nice to be appreciated on that level, and know you made a difference to someone.