Small But Not Ordinary

This looks like an ordinary pen, one of hundreds, maybe thousands given out at the OSU Medical 

Center. But it's anything but ordinary to me.

To me it represents a thoughtful act of kindness and a reminder that doing "small" things during difficult times can make a big difference - and leave touching memories.

In December 2003 my father was in Madison County Hospital with pneumonia. He was transferred to OSU Medical Center in Columbus for a higher level of treatment. Once there Dad and the rest of us were engulfed in all that goes on at a major medical center. At times it was overwhelming - very different from the small town feel of Madison County Hospital.

My sister's sister-in-law was director of OSU's Trauma Center. She brought Dad a fistful of pens for him to give to staff and visitors. Dad had fun distributing the pens. In his situation, he was being acted upon in mighty and overwhelming ways. Giving out pens was something he could do. It brought a smile to his face and to the recipients.

Dad's earthly journey ended at that hospital. The pen joined a multitude of mementoes from Dad's time here on earth.

Someday, someone will come across this pen in my "stuff" and think it's just a pen.