Thursday, May 24, 2007 7:10 AM     Sometimes it is a small thing in life that can make me happy.   Around eight months ago, there was a change in receptionists at the mental health clinic where I go. Two of them worked on the desk. One was named Charlotte. Each time I passed through the doorway, she knew my name immediately. She always worked on the computer and gave me a time slip with my name properly spelled. The new receptionist was named Tony. I took a disliking to him right away. He never remembered my name and how to spell it. Every time I went there, he asked the same questions. It happened a third time and a fourth. By then I had grown aggravated by his lack of memory.   Somehow, as the months passed by, we started talking to one another as strangers often do. I began to like him even though he still could not remember my name. I quickly realized that he was part of the staff and I would have to get used to him just as I had everyone else.   It's now gotten to the point that when I enter the building, and he sees me, he quickly calls out my name and asks how I am -- then asks how to spell my name. There have been several times when he has told me that if I ever need help to remember that he is there for me.   When I went to the clinic yesterday to see about my medications, I asked him whom I should talk to in the medication department. Both he and Charlotte gave me the name of a nurse. After I had successfully gotten my medicines, and returned to the reception desk, Tony was talking to a young woman there. I never saw her before, and doubt that I will ever see her again, but she was very nice to talk with.   As I went to the waiting room, I overheard Tony telling her that I was a “nice man” and was “very patient.” The young woman entered the waiting room, walked over to the soft drink machine, and got a soda. She then turned to me and asked if I would like one as well.   I never expect to hear people say nice things about me or to offer to give me something. However, it may seem like a small thing when someone unexpectedly does this, but there are times in my life when what may seem like a small thing to one person can really amount to a large and memorable one to me. It makes me realize that there are truly good and caring people in the world.   A Daily Thought:   “The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.” -Larry Eisenberg