Pinch Hitters

I spent Christmas Day as a volunteer for the Pinch Hitter Program run by B'nai Brith of Atlanta.
B'nai Brith is an international Jewish organization that does charity work to help Jewish and gentiles throughout the world. The concept of being a Pinch Hitter is to relieve the gentile hospital workers, and go to bat for them, so they can have some time off on Christmas Day.
I was assigned to St. Joseph's Hospital in Sandy Springs. Due to my training in CPR, I was able to work in the Transportation Department, where I had direct patient contact. My fellow Pinch Hitters were assigned to the cafeteria. My first job was to deliver a Kangaroo Pump to a patient on the 4th floor. Poor fellow, image having to have a kangaroo pumped out of you. Sounds painful. Next I helped transport an older gentleman being discharged from the hospital, so he could spend Christmas with his family. As I wheeled him to the backseat of an awaiting car, I sent him off with a "Merry Christmas", with which his wife responded-"We celebrate Chanukah in our house". During a lull in activity my supervisor gave me the job of wheelchair disinfection.
I am sure that at least once a year these wheelchairs get a good rub down, and this year it was my turn. When I was done they sparkled with cleanliness. Well at least they were cleaner.
A few more pump deliveries (of the non-kangaroo style) proceeded my last assignment of the day. We had to transfer a gentleman from CICU (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) on the 2nd floor to the 7th floor. Although he wasn't being discharged, the optimistic patient exclaimed, "At least I'm moving up in the world!" So on that happy note, I bid my fellow Transportation workers adieu and made my way home.