#18 The Doctor's Office

This year, I'm going to spend 31 days writing about places.  In my profession, I talk about place-based writing quite a bit.  I frame it like this when I share:  We believe in the power of including spaces in the process of writing.  Place-based writing is the concept that the place where we write may influence our thinking, impacting the writer’s perspective, engagement, ownership, and/or purpose.  I'm really jazzed up, thinking about where I will spend time as a writer in 31 different spaces this month and how I can use each post to share a little slice of my day. 

Today, the dermatologist.

I had an 8 AM appt with the doctor this morning.  I arrived promptly by turning left at a traffic light that was built special, just for my doctor's parking garage.  I parked on the third floor of the garage, my car facing the rising sun.  I rode the elevator to the lobby.  The long walk to the check-in desk showcased three giant murals by one of my favorite StL artists.  There was a waterfall feature installed.

The lobby included an easy-peasy check-in experience and a quick ride to the 4th floor.  Everyone was friendly and offered me a seat.  I sat in some gorgeous, modern, light blue, leather furniture that overlooked a courtyard.  There was a lovely, brick patio with nine raised beds with some type of white barked tree.  

There were benches and a few birds to keep me busy while I waited for my name to be called.  I waited less than five minutes.  The woman checked me in with fewer than five questions and commented that she really liked my Donald Duck cardigan.

The room was bright and immaculate and represented everything you would expect from a sterile room.  And as I waited to see the doctor for my skin check, of course wondering if my malenoma had returened, I aslo wondered about all of the people that went into creating this design of calm.

From the stoplight that allowed me to enter without waiting for a break in traffic to the beautiful murals to the perfectly planted trees to the immaculately steril room... a person was behind the design.  Someone had thought through a space that might bring me comfort or peace or even delight in a place I just don't want to visit.  Ever. 

That's pretty amazing, right?  Think of today as an invitation to think about the design of places, and how sometimes, they are made just for you.  Humans are pretty great.  Also, still cancer free.  Woot.