Not good. No shots – no school.

There were several clinics around Plano that provided the necessary immunizations, including Baylor. We had a room on the Garden level all set up with registration, copy machine, waiting area, even a couple of kid-friendly DVDs to play while they waited.

After the initial early-morning staff orientation on Thursday, I decided that my job would be to intercept the parents and kids as they came in the front door and make sure they got to the clinic.

Big sign near the front door about how to find the clinic notwithstanding, it was easy to identify those parents coming in who were looking for the immunization clinic. That I-have-no-idea-where-anything-is look on their faces was a clear giveaway.

It was a hoot. And more fun than I could imagine. So, I made it my goal to talk softly, smile, and make their visit to A HOSPITAL as stress-free as possible.

Hospitals are stressful enough but even more so when it’s unfamiliar territory - you don’t know where anything is, the kids are as jumpy as a cat that knows it’s on the way to the vet, you’re juggling papers, yadda, yadda, yadda.

So, I’d take them over to the elevator, down to the clinic area, and introduce them to the registration ladies in hopes their adventure would be a little less harried.

It’s amazing how many of those parents, and even a few kids, came by the concierge desk where I was standing and said thanks or just smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

And, I guess, that’s what volunteering is all about; not pay, but an occassional thanks, a head nod, or slight wave of appreciation. Because, God knows, we all need a little help winding our way through the forest.

About mid-way through, we stopped off at security for pictures, vehicle registration, and to get our photo IDs made. We’re now official volunteers! Woohoo!

The med center itself is an amazing place. More like a grand hotel than a hospital. Seriously. No sterile, hospitaly smell, if you know what I mean, but everything is immaculate. Serving the people who come in the door is top priority. It seems like there is no service that they will not provide to its patients if asked for (within reason, of course) and many of them for free.

Coffee: free. Newspaper: free. WiFi: free. Places for the family: free. Flat tire: fixed free. I’m serious, these people are committed to making a hospital stay as stress-free as possible, for the patient and the family. And, everybody smiles and says hello.

I’m really looking forward to learning my way around, to finally becoming useful enough to help someone. Actually, I did already. I found someone’s passport on a table in a waiting area, tracked down the owner, and returned it. Felt good but, then again, I guess that’s the bottom line: doing good feels good especially when you can help someone else in a foreign and often scary situation.

Next up: it’s immunization clinic day for Plano schools starting next Tuesday morning. Hundreds of kids and parents coming through to make sure they have their immunizations up to date for school. What a mad house it should be. I can’t imagine how much fun it will be.

Fantastic orientation session for the incoming volunteers plus free coffee. Is this a great country or what?

We learned all about codes (you know, blue, red, green, etc.) and what to do when something weird happens. Who to call. What to touch and what to stay away from. And, of course, the obligatory rules and regs. What the color-coded uniforms designate.

Seriously, this is supposed to be dry, boring material but we were all mesmerized like a bunch of toads in a hail storm. Blink, blink, blink. Fun stuff.

Friday afternoon I go back to meet with Charlse for the tour. I think we get to roam all over both hospitals (yes, oh yes, there are two) to get an idea of where everything is. Yeah, right, like I’ll remember any of it.

I can’t wait. It’s the most positive, uplifting, encouraging thing I’ve done in months and I won’t get a penny for it! Geeze, I wish I was 18 again I know exactly what I’d do after high school.

The only disappointment was finding out that there was no Code Plaid. Still don’t know what to do if a Scotsman shows up calling everything Crrrrrrap!

There are, I think, about eight new volunteers; at least, there were at the original intake interview. It will be interesting to see who shows up, to see if anyone has changed his mind. Of course, the group consists mostly of women. There were only two men in the group when we first met last month.

I have an idea of where I want to work but there are several good opportunities. I just can’t decide if I want to work in an area that uses my editing/writing/publishing skills (surely someone is publishing some kind of newsletter, they always do) or to branch out into something completely different.

The mail dude sounds fun. According to the little handout of job descriptions, this person does exactly what you’re thinking: sorts, delivers, and picks up mail at various campus departments. Sort of reminds me of  Tim Robbin’s first job in the mail room of Hudsucker Enterprises.

So, we’ll see. Breakfast is done but I have to stop off at Staples to buy a spiral binder for note taking. Have filled up the one I started after the layoff but I can’t find my box of office supplies. Povre moi.

It’s an adventure. And, who knows what it will lead to? Will let you know how it went this afternoon.