When I was little, my favorite flavor was chocolate. Being one of five children, I was limited to getting chocolate on holidays and my birthday. Chocolate made me happy.
I was born with glaucoma. Twice a year, I had to have an eye exam and my eye pressure checked. The doctor wanted an easy patient, so I was put to sleep with ether. I was nauseous and tired after the appointment. I still feel sick if I smell ether to this day.
We drove from a small town to the larger Ann Arbor area. I had never seen people of different skin colors before these hospital visits. I saw a rainbow of people, but I didn’t say anything to my mother.
We went into the waiting areaehere I saw a black man dressed in scrubs .
“I want the chocolate doctor.”
I knew that chocolate was good and didn’t hurt. So a chocolate doctor would not hurt me.
The janitor smiled at me. After my appointment, he came back to give me a piece of chocolate candy.
My white doctor didn’t take the time to calm a frightened child, but a kind janitor and his smile helped me feel better. That and a little chocolate!
***
Chocolate
Choice of most children.
Helps chase away the fear.
One man saw a frighten child.
Care fully, he opened my hand.
On my palm, he placed a piece of chocolate.
Looking up, I saw him smile.
A friendly face.
The terror was gone.
Ending the appointment with a piece of chocolate.
carolfarn@aol.com 6/20/2022
traveling up and down the blind highway 