I was at the DMV, attempting to prove a “clear trail of name changes”. I’d spent 15 minutes handing over documents as the clerk repeated, “But how did your name go from this to THIS??” When she was finally satisfied, she picked up my birth certificate, frowned, & said “Did you know your birth certificate doesn’t state whether you’re a male or female?” To which I replied, “Good Lord, Girl! PLEASE don’t tell me you’re going to make me prove THAT, too!!” She reeled back, doubled over, & started laughing so loudly that the whole place looked over. When she stopped to breathe, I said “I mean, at LEAST buy me a cup of coffee first!” She started HOWLING (I did too!), & 3 of her co-workers rushed over. She lowered her voice, repeated what had happened, & we all cracked up again.

After we’d finished our business, I reached out to pick up my papers. Suddenly, she grabbed my hand & squeezed it SO tightly! I looked up in surprise. “Thank you!”, she said, “My best friend in the whole world is in hospice. She only has days to live. I was there the entire weekend & all night last night, & as soon as I leave here I’m going back. I can’t remember the last time I smiled, & I don’t think I’ve EVER laughed so hard in my life! Lately it’s seemed like I’d forgotten how, & I can’t tell you how incredibly MUCH I needed this today. So, Thank You.”

We were still holding hands, & this time I squeezed hers. I told her, “Oh hunny! I’m  SO sorry about your friend! I know how difficult your situation is, but what you’re doing is the most selfless, courageous, & loving thing that one human being can do for another. You’re an AMAZING person to have the strength & the heart to do what you’re doing, & no human could ask for more than to have a friend like YOU by their side in the end.” And you know what? … She BEAMED at me! She threw up her hands in a big shrug & said, “No, it’s alright. It’s REALLY alright! I KNOW that now! So THANK YOU, one more time!”

Sticking out my hand once more, I say “Darlin’, you know every darned name I’VE ever had, but I don’t even see a name tag on YOU. So…Taylor Stratford, & it was SUCH a wonderful pleasure to meet you!” She laughs & says, “Paulette, & it was such a … BLESSING to meet YOU!”

We said goodbye, & I hurried out, not wanting anyone to see me cry. Halfway to the door I heard her telling someone, “You won’t BELIEVE my last customer!”, & she started giggling again. All of a sudden, I didn’t feel like crying any more. I knew that she was getting ready to laugh again. That she’d tell the story to her friends & family, & laugh each time. That when she gets to the hospice tonight, she’ll tell it to the attendants & lighten THEIR heavy load for a while. Maybe she’ll even tell it to her friend, as she holds HER hand tonight. And…just MAYBE, I provided a dying person with her last good belly-laugh. Who knows? …But the thought FLOORS me.