the cab ride
Jim February 8th, 2008
Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living.
When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away.
But, I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door.
This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. ‘Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice.
I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80’s stood before me.
She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase.
The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
‘Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness.
‘It’s nothing’, I told her. ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated’.
‘Oh, you’re such a good boy’, she said.
When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’
‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly.
‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice’.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very long.’
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. ‘What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds.
She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now.’
We drove in silence to the address she had given me.
It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up.
They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.
I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.
The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
‘How much do I owe you?’ she asked, reaching into her purse.
‘Nothing,’ I said.
‘You have to make a living,’ she answered.
‘There are other passengers,’ I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held
onto me tightly.
‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’
I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.
What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware–beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, ~BUT ~ THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
(photo by glupschauge)
- Divine Nobodies , Kingdom of God , Life , Love , Nobodies , Wide Open Spaces , freedom
- Comments(22)
[...] Jim discusses a moment in his former life and how it was significant. And I couldn’t help but read it twice. He continues. ‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’ [...]
Wow, this brought tears to my eyes. Thanks.
Jim:
This Sir, Is Love. The Love Worth Having And A life Worth Living. Peace my Brother In Christ.
LOVE LIKE HIM,
G.B.U.
Michael.
great stuff life lived that way is life worth living … may we all have some chances to experience what both driver and rider felt
ps ya need to change ur superbowl poll dude …
The opportunity to care–Paul called this “the most excellent way”
This story reminds me of why Love is above all other virtues.
Jim,
Thank you!
Thank you for your books and for allowing God to use you in such a powerful way for people like me everywhere.
I can completely relate to your story. I have been serving established denominational churches for 10 years now. i am completing a Master of Divinity Degree in May and being commissioned by my denomination in June … and all I can think about is how much more significant an encoutner with an 80 year old woman in a taxi at 2 am is than all of the theological training I’ve received and the institutional “hoops” I’ve had to jump through to get where I’m at.
Leaving the established church is a scary option to me, but not living my faith in the wide open spaces is even more scary.
I pray for you and ask that you pray for me as I follow God down this path that leads to only Godknowswhere.
Grace and Peace
>
Sounds like a very thought-provoking experience, one that you don’t always get to experience every day. I noticed you were concerned that this lady’s potential last moments of her life were not ruined by an impatient or angry cab driver. Clearly, you did well to treat her kindly and care for her like she was your mother. But I just can’t help but think that as good AND NECESSARY as showing these acts of kindness are, did this woman hear about Jesus and what He did to rescue her from sin and death and reconcile herself to Him? I can’t help but wonder how much more your act of kindness would have been cherished if it would have been accompanied by the gospel which would have provided her the opportunity to know eternal joy and peace in Christ, and not only a moment of respite from a nice man.
Nice story.. I have read it many times in email.. this site (http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cabbie.htm) says it is from the pen of inspirational writer Kent Nerburn.
by the way, in case there is any confusion…i’ve been a lot of things in my life…but never a taxi driver, and so the story is not about me.
on the other hand, i often thought it would be an awesome experience to live the Christ life as a cab driver. admittedly, i am the kind of person who loves meeting new people, and so this is probably one reason is appeals to me.
Didn’t know this wasn’t Jim’s story. Question for all of you reading this: If you imagined yourself in the cabby’s position, would you at least have desired to tell this sweet lady some time during the two hour journey about the kingdom of God and how she can enter it and be at peace with God and come to know Him?
[...] http://www.divinenobodies.com/blog/?p=376 [...]
You really should introduce the post as something other than your own story. That’s kind of, you know, important.
Ryan
While your concern for the rider’s hereafter is commendable, you might consider a couple of things. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” This rider expressed a particular hunger, and the cabbie addressed it. Don’t chastise him for not meeting a need she didn’t express, commend him for meeting the one she had.
The other thing that comes to mind is St. Francis’ admonition to “preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” I’m thinking words weren’t necessary.
And btw, if I’d been the passenger and the cabbie started preaching to me without my invitation, I’d have asked to go the shortest route possible – and step on it.
‘Nuff said.
Jim,
This story is beautiful!!! If you don’t mind, would you consider also posting it on http://www.helpothers.org ?? Its sort of a sanctuary of stories such as yours, and I know our community would benefit from hearing this story.
oh, never mind!! i see the comments above now regarding the author!! disregard the earlier comment. LOVE THE STORY, THANKS FOR SHARING! have a great day!
a life full of those moments is well lived.
Jim- Thanks for sharing this story with us. It’s the everyday moments that often hold us spellbound.
Ryan,
I guess your asking, would I ask this lady about her religious life, so I could then see if it lines up with my doctrine by making some type of judgement, so I can then say the appropraite prayer with her to make sure she makes the grade when she meets St. Peter at the pearly gate. I guess you are also saying that somehow, the cabbie (me in this case) is God’s last chance of “saving” this woman as if God relies on man to spread knowledge to save people. In whatever scenario you give, you are asking me to get information from her and make a judgement. No, I would not do that. Jesus explicitly asks us not to judge and explicitly asks us to go the extra mile.
In the past, I would have wasted the whole cab ride trying to convert her to my version of the truth rather than the Truth (the chance to Love unconditionally as Christ did).
To answer your question about what I would do; God does not need me to say a formula prayer with this lady to ensure her admittance into the kingdom of God. However, it is my responsibility (no, pleasure) to Love her and even speak to her about the Love of Christ (the gospel) if she wanted me to. I would gladly take the opportunity, if she allowed, to awaken the Love of Christ within her–if she needed it. However, maybe this lady would have had less knowledge of scripture, but was in fact more in Love with God and others than I. Maybe then I could assume the cab ride was for my benefit instead of hers because God was trying to teach me something or trying to awaken his grace(the unconditional Love of God) in me.
My Dad never darkened the door of a church, read scripture, etc. Yet on his death bed, he taught me more about God than I ever learned in church. He in a sense “witnessed” to me when I thought I was supposed to witness to him. I offered him a shallow formula prayer he offered me the Love and mercy.
“People will always remember how you made them feel.”
Yesterday I had a conversation with a dealer that started with his question to me about which candidate I thought was doing well. I responded that I’m not putting any energy into a failed system, that man governing man will never work. He asked what the alternative is and we talked about how the world would change if love governed all that is.
The ensuing conversation covered a lot of ground and many times we talked about seeing folks as the truly are (i.e. perfect expressions of love, peace, freedom and joy) rather than as they act, their color or position. We talked about how man focuses on division; race, status, looks, talents, traditions, etc and how that focus spawns war, hate, fear, uncertainty.
Every time the conversation included seeing and interacting with folks as they truly are I sensed a calming wonderful goodness well up from within me and my dealer…I could sense he was feeling it too. The conversation would slow to silence and that good feeling would spread throughout our being.
We could have talked about the pro’s/con’s of Obama, Clinton, McCain, Hubbard et al…and gotten nowhere. Instead we focuses on the perfect reality of God in those folks and in all others.
I’ve left many conversations thinking I had ‘won’ or given someone something to ‘think about’ or at least defended my position…but yesterday the conversation ended with both of us hoping we would always see the reality that unites rather than the facade that divides.
“We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware–beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.”
I love what you wrote here! Sometimes we look for the BIG defining moments in life but end up learning more in one small moment of time. Those “Ah ha!” moments. As a teacher I learned in school to call these times “teachable moments”. BUT the funny thing is that I’ve found out that often instead of me capitalizing on a moment to impart a lesson that I have planned to my preschool students that they turn the tables on me. They end up teaching me more about life and love through their ability to ask good questions and to be unabashedly honest. These are times that I could never predict would happen in my classroom and they can easily be missed if I’m not aware or open to them. When these moments occur I embrace them and celebrate them. Who would think that preschool children could inspire an adult to approach life in a simple yet profound way? That I could learn so much at a daily circle time where we sing Barney’s “I Love You” song.
I am a little old lady, Maybe not so small. I am only 70 but my body is beginning to waste away. I served in Outreach in a large church. My husband I started a ministry for a mission agency. We also recently started a tutoring place in the In the community we live in. In both places we have loved the kids and their parents as well as the tutors who help us. I believe the taxi driver was right. All of my life I have shared by modeling Christ’s love and being available to do that no matter where I am. Hopefully people will hear and want to know where I get my faith. Thanks for sharing.