A good ‘brotherly’ deed

One might call it a “good brotherly deed.”

Recently I was lost and late for a 7:30 a.m. doctor’s appointment. I was sure I would be fined for creating this medical emergency.

In addition, I was feeling light-headed and confused while in Texarkana’s Wadley Regional Medical Center parking lot. Or was it the Collom & Carney Clinic parking area or that of the CHRISTUS St. Michael Health Center? There are several hospitals and several emergency complexes here. The emergencies announce their presence with big “EMERGENCY” letters but not the hospitals.

By 7:45 a.m., I was getting sicker because it was getting later. I remembered my oldest brother in high school once giving me a lesson by Lord Chesterfield. It seems Chesterfield instructed his son that being a quarter of an hour ahead of time for every meeting in life was the reason for his, Chesterfield’s, success.

So, you can imagine how pleased I was when I finally found my doctor, took my medicine and was turned loose again. But then I found I didn’t know my way back to my parked car. It was somewhere in the now-filled unknown parking lot of a barely known medical center. There was going to be no fun in trying to find it. Everyone parked at a hospital has a good reason for being there and deserves their space.

How appreciative and delighted I was when Stephen Fawcett appeared at my shoulder and asked, “Can I help you?”

Now, to speed this up a little, here are the basics about Stephen Fawcett. Stephen was once in the insurance business but now has the time and interest to be a church and choir member. His wife Susan is also a musician. They are part of the Ridgeway Baptist Church in Nashville, AR. Both of them see helping others as a big role in life. In fact, it was Susan who had said to Stephen, “Go and help that man” when she saw me looking lost and puzzled at the volunteers’ desk. The volunteer didn’t really know how to give directions.

I was deciding to go on my way alone, when Stephen followed me shoulder to shoulder.

“Let’s walk,” he said. “I’ll walk with you. That’s what I’m here for. To help others. Let’s see if you can recognize what your parking lot from what it looked like, the buildings around it, or where and how long you had to walk to get to this building.”

We walked. I was happy in the cool refreshing air. Finally, Stephen borrowed my door remote opening button which ultimately honked the horn of my car. I slipped thankfully inside.

There’s a caveat to this story. I learned why Stephen did what he did, and so now will tell you. I did not intend to be a complainer when talking about health centers. They are one of the best staffed places, and every single employee is desperate to be of help, say, as when being asked for directions.

When I asked Stephen his reason for being helpful, he replied with an assured voice, “Because it’s the brotherly thing to do.”

“Brotherly.” What a fine word. Lord Chesterfield, Stephen and I had been brothers. Next time I will be a quarter of an hour ahead of time.