What’s Your Name?

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. Just 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.

We also need to take an interest in the people around us, many of whom are doing valuable yet thankless tasks. This will bond the community together while serving as a superb advertisement for Islam.

Do not make the mistake of taking anyone for granted especially those who are close to us. At times we tend to forget them while paying more attention to strangers.