Back in 1999, soon after we moved into this city, into our home, one of the things we wished for, was a pharmacy nearby! My Mother had chronic health issues that necessitated frequent visits to the hospital. With a growing toddler on hand, and not enough time, we heaved a collective sigh of relief when one opened right across the road from our building.
They came over to introduce themselves with a box of sweets, assuring us home delivery services.
Thus began our relationship with this pharmacy we've come to trust. But it did not happen overnight.
First, we were slightly sceptical about switching over from our existing medical store. We weighed the pros and cons. They were pleasant and helpful but located a little far off, and often had no manpower to deliver our prescription home in an emergency.
However, the tipping point was the proximity and longer working hours. You know how an ailment gets worse at night just after the doctor has switched off his phone and the medical store is about to close? We had a lot of that going on at home. Another advantage with the new store was the range of products - they also stocked non-medical items.
Building trust
Constant interaction gradually developed into a trusted relationship where we could rely on them to even deliver our friend's grandmother's prescription when her daughter was delayed at work.
One of the many instances I'll never forget is the time my Mom was just out of hospital. She had just undergone surgery and needed special medication available only with an authorized distributor almost 30 kilometers away. I was in a dilemma. How could I leave her alone at home, unattended? It was also time for my son to return from school.
When I called the medical store and explained the situation, they quickly offered to send one of their boys to the distributor. It saved me a four hour commute to and fro in the scorching heat and traffic, not to mention the stress.
I've lost count of the number of times we have gone to the medical store after a doctor's visit, only to find that the prescribed medication was out of supply. They would go the extra mile to find the right alternative so that we didn't miss a dose.
Over the years, we started trusting them so much that when we had to go out of town for a few days and my Mom couldn't accompany us, it was their number we left by her bed, to call in an emergency. The best part was when we informed them about this, they reassured us that even if it was 11 pm at night, she could rely on them to respond.
Come to think of it, in the fifteen plus years we have known them, not once have they let us down. I often joked to my Mom that should we have a party or family function, they would be the first invitees on our list along with our grocery store owners, the flower lady at the corner of the street and all those other people who help keep our lives running smoothly.
Some people just integrate themselves into our lives seamlessly, rather like the family we choose for ourselves.
If you see this video where MS Dhoni describes his own Lamba saath, bharose ki baat experience, you will know exactly what I am referring to! Dhoni and Exide Life Insurance have partnered to acknowledge and celebrate the longevity of relationships and how trust is built over the years. These people might not be in your family but they have proven themselves worthy of your trust again and again through the years. #DhoniKaSaath
Writer, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury
