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.
 
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  Say a Prayer
 
 I was taking my usual morning walk when a garbage truck pulled up beside me. I thought the driver was going to ask for directions. Instead, he showed me a picture of a cute little five-year-old boy.
"This is my grandson, Jeremiah," he said. "He's on a life-support system at a Phoenix hospital." Thinking he would next ask for a contribution to his hospital bills, I reached for my wallet. But he wanted something more than money. He said, "I'm asking everybody I
can to say a prayer for him. Would you say one for him, please?"
I did. And my problems didn't seem like much that day.
 
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  Pickup in the Rain
 
One night, at 11:30 pm, an older African-American woman was standing on the side of a Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain  storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.  A young white man stopped to help her - generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry!  She wrote down his address, thanked him and drove away.
 
 Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant combination console colour TV and stereo record player  were delivered to his home. A special note was attached. The note  read:
Dear Mr. James: Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes but myspirits.
Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for  helping me and unselfishly serving others.
 
  Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.