| Friday, September 14, 2007 |
| Thanks |
In America, we say "thank you" to someone when we appreciate the way they are or something they have done for us. When we are out to dinner, we give someone a tip. In Zambia, you get a handshake or a specially-cooked meal.
Today, I got a taste of Russian thanks.
One of my patients is from Russia. In fact, she was a physician when she lived there. Now she is older and has a few different medical problems. During her hospitalization so far, she has been a little bit annoying, demanding certain tests that aren't needed and refusing other things that she does need. But today I spent a long time with her and her daughter, explaining what we were doing and discussing the plan for the next few days.
At the end of the time I was with her, she spoke to her daughter in Russian. Her daughter protested, but she repeated what she had said. So her daughter went to her dresser and got a plastic baggie with brightly-colored wrapped candies. She said "These are Russian chocolates. They are very good. You must have some."
And proceeded to get out a bunch of these candies. I said, "oh no, you keep them."
(Heck, I don't know where these things came from! And I don't want to take her precious candy. She must get it from SOMEWHERE special ... the writing is all in Russian and whatnot).
But no, she insisted on giving them to me. She stuffed them into my pocket. And no, not my labcoat pocket. My pants pocket! After that I stopped arguing and figured it would be insulting to give them back.
And no matter how awkward I felt, it also felt good. She felt so secure in the care I was giving her that she wanted to give me one of her treasures instead. And that doesn't happen every day.
(and in her defense, the chocolate WAS really good). |
posted by emily @ 12:03 AM  |
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| 1 Comments: |
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Em, that was the ultimate compliment. Since she was a physician in Russia, she must have finally realized that you know what you are doing and it was her way of saying "thanks" and giving you her approval. Keep up the great work.
I love you!
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 - Name: emily
- Location: United States
Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
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Em, that was the ultimate compliment. Since she was a physician in Russia, she must have finally realized that you know what you are doing and it was her way of saying "thanks" and giving you her approval. Keep up the great work.
I love you!