Expansion

…I looked at the number on my beeper and I could tell it was from our receiving dock. With the new construction, our receiving dock was even smaller than before and I knew something must have come in for the Brush Building renovation project on the fourth floor. When I arrived I was greeted by our in house movers Dusty and Mike. They were already busy loading two rolls of carpeting on carts to be taken to the fourth floor. Ernie, the Receiving Department supervisor was happy to see me as well. He couldn’t believe how quick they were there to remove the rolls from his cramped space and take them to the Brush Building. He wanted to give me credit but I had to inform him it wasn’t me. Give them all the credit.

…They laughed when they saw me. “Oh look” they announced out loud, “it’s little-bit!” They had always teased me about my weight, my height, and compared to them, I did look like a hobbit. They believed I had a heroin problem, but when Dusty saw me smoking Kool cigarettes and drinking cold black coffee, he informed Mike it was a caffeine/nicotine addiction. “That’s why he rips through these buildings like the road runner.” I wanted to know why they thought I was a heroine addict? They informed me that most young white guys with long hair, who look like I do, are down here for the drugs. I knew what they were saying was somewhat true, but they weren’t just young white guys with long hair. The addicts I saw came in all nationalities, shapes and sizes. Some did look pretty gaunt, but I didn’t think I looked like that. Note to self: Don’t skip meals, and try to get more sunshine.

.. The carpeting was carted to the construction holding area on the fourth floor of the Brush Building. The hospital’s administration had decided that the terrazzo floors, which were the original floors, were a hazard to our patients, and staff. They were trying to minimize the injuries from slips and falls by putting carpeting over them. The Brush Building itself was designed by Albert Kahn. He was a well known architect and designer in Detroit. The terrazzo was unique in every room and corridor. The geometric designs laid out between the brass strip, coves and edging was a testament to the artisans of the time. They were beautiful pieces of art. However, over time, many had developed spider cracks and pitting. I could understand the decision to cover them. The hospital was hoping to look more like a nice hotel. The carpet would absorb the sound as well.

… As I was preparing to leave a young female patient had wondered into the area. She looked to be a cancer patient and I didn’t want to startle her. I asked, “can I assist you?” She stated, “I was just curious.” I was mad at myself for not closing the fire doors. The unit was left open when Mike and Daryl dropped off the carpeting. The unit hadn’t been cleaned in awhile and the dust and dirt was evident when all the furniture was removed. She looked at the terrazzo floors and commented how pretty they were. I had explained to her that they were badly damaged and the cost to repair them was more expensive than to cover them in carpeting. She was wheeling an IV pole and what I believed was probably medication attached to her right arm. I wondered how I could get her back to her unit diplomatically. My Life’s Journey To Be Continued…. Philippians 4:15-19