Originally published October 19, 2012

My morning drive to work (volunteering at the Fraser Valley Cancer Center in Surrey), began like many other commutes I had taken over the past year.

I was treated at the center in 2009 as a stage three throat cancer patient.

Suddenly, things started to get weird when I heard a cheerful lady’s voice:

Welcome to McDonald’s, may I take your order?

I looked around and noticed that I was in the drive-thru lane of the famous hamburger chain!

How or when did I get in the breakfast-crowd lineup at McDonald’s?

And why?

I cannot eat solid food, much less an Egg McMuffin.

As my mind raced for answers, the cheerful voice came over the speaker again:

May I take your order?

Uh, er, um… yes, a small coffee with milk, please.

I looked in the rearview mirror, shocked to see I hadn’t shaved or brushed my hair!

I also noticed that the only thing I had on was my boxer shorts and flip-flops!

And then, to make things worse, all of the cars behind me were honking their horns for me to advance to the pick-up window.

I accelerated and unintentionally began laying rubber and squealing the tires as I sped to the pick-up window.

As the smoke from the tires enveloped my car, I searched the car console for a couple of coins to pay the server.

I grabbed a handful of strange-looking gold coins – and extended my arm out the window, through the cloud of smoke, to the hand of the server and yelled:

Keep the change!

I looked at my watch and knew I wouldn’t have time to go home, shower, shave, and get dressed.

So, I turned on my four-way flashers and sped down the road – honking my horn to alert everyone.

Within minutes, I arrived safely at the cancer center’s parking lot.

I needed to get from my car to the staff locker room in the radiation department without anyone seeing me.

I muttered to myself, ” Those many years in management and my exceptional skills in strategic planning will finally come in handy.”

But I knew this situation would be difficult and embarrassing—unlike anything I had ever encountered in the business world.

I quickly exited my car and was running and ducking behind and between parked vehicles until I finally made my way to the main entrance of the cancer facility.

Luckily, there weren’t any patients in the lobby, and the receptionist was busy at the copy machine.

I hid behind a large potted plant until the coast was clear, and then I ran to the stairway and down the steps to the radiation department.

I poked my head into the hallway, and when the coast was clear, I raced into the men’s locker room.

Fortunately, a few white lab coats were hanging on the wall, so I grabbed one of my size.

I put on the coat but noticed that there weren’t any buttons! I would need to hold the front of the coat together with one hand.

I finally breathed a sigh of relief and then began washing my face and wetting my hair to comb it with my fingers.

And as I looked at myself in the mirror, I began thinking of an excuse for wearing a white lab coat instead of my green volunteer smock.

I didn’t want the patients to think I was a nurse or doctor.

But at that precise moment, I felt a wet tongue on the right side of my face.

It was Holly Golightly, my dog, licking me – trying to wake me.

I looked around and noticed that I was in my bedroom.

When I got up from bed to take Holly outside, I noticed my green volunteer smock still hanging on the back of my bedroom door.

I began smiling and shaking my head – some dreams seemed so real and believable!

Later, I got up and had breakfast.

After showering and getting dressed, I headed to my car to drive to the cancer center.

I noticed it as soon as I got into the car – a McDonald’s coffee cup.

And it was still warm!

Dedicated to Volunteering.

I hope that my stories are a gift to your head and heart. 

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

I can’t light no more of your darkness
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white
I’m growing tired, and time stands still before me
Frozen here on the ladder of my life

Too late to save myself from falling
I took a chance and changed your way of life
But you misread my meaning when I met you
Closed the door and left me blinded by the light

Don’t let the sun go down on me
Although I search myself, it’s always someone else I see
I’d just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

I can’t find, oh, the right romantic line
But see me once and see the way I feel
Don’t discard me just because you think I mean you harm
But these cuts I have, oh, they need love to help them heal

Don’t let the sun go down on me
(Don’t let the sun)
Although I search myself, it’s always someone else I see
I’d just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
(Don’t let the sun)
But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

Don’t let the sun go down on me
(Don’t let the sun)
Although I search myself, it’s always someone else I see
I’d just allow a fragment of your life to wander free, yeah
(Don’t let the sun)
But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

Songwriters: Bernie Taupin & Elton John

Here are other songs I’m listening to: These Songs Will Make You Smile Today.