My Art Linkletter Story

Today's news reported the death of Art Linkletter, a celebrity who seemed to me like an old friend. Forty plus years ago I was a new mother, and for several years, Art kept me company via daytime television as I ironed and otherwise adjusted to my new life as an adult. Then, perhaps in 1988, I actually met him in person. He was in town to speak at an educational thing that my hospital was sponsoring that evening, but earlier in the day, he paid us an unexpected visit. Was I surprised to walk in the day room and see Art Linkletter standing there! He was smiling and shaking hands and interacting comfortably with the patients, looking as if he hadn't changed a bit. By that time, I had been through the wringer. How did he do it! One thing was clear though; he really cared about the people. Maybe being "other-centered" was a key reason he lived to be ninety-seven.