I'm having a really good day and I feel bad about that because my friend is having a terrible one.
I was up early this morning and got quite a bit accomplished, a real relief after being sick for the past couple of weeks. I still haven't shaken this bronchitis, but I finally got a good night's rest and even though it's a dreary, snowy day, I've felt cheerful for the first time since getting sick. It boosted my already sunny mood this morning when I asked my Number Two Son to perform a couple of household chores and he actually did them. (Those of you with teenagers will require no further explanation.) Then we went to the post office, where I mailed the book contract that should have gone out last week (they won't cut me an advance check until they receive the paperwork with my signature). Relieved to have finally taken care of that little errand, it made me ridiculously happy when I bought stamps and got a wonderful little folder full of Mary Cassatt pictures.
My son was driving, we were grooving to some classic rock, we made a pit stop at the pet store for turtle supplies and then went out to lunch. When it was time to get my son to work -- this is the second half of his senior year and instead of going to school he's interning at a climbing center -- I was wishing I had time for one more cup of the restaurant's excellent coffee.
"Can I get you a cup to go?" the server asked, reading my mind.
I almost kissed her.
I dropped off the kid and headed home, slurping coffee and bopping my head along with Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb", which is actually a very sad song, but it's the coolest music because it's...well...Pink Floyd. I was still humming as I parked the car and stuck my key in the back door of our house, still smiling as I shrugged out of my coat and dropped my keys on the kitchen table, still walking with a springy step as I entered my office, which has sunny yellow walls, and sat down and switched the computer on. And then I remembered.
My friend's husband died yesterday.
He was 95 and sick, so it wasn't completely unexpected. But is anyone ever prepared to lose her husband?
I have talked to her on the phone but I can't go over there and put my arms around her because I don't want her catching this junk I've got. So here I am, bouncing through my day, savoring little pleasures like coffee and good music and pretty postage stamps and lunch with my kid while my friend sits at home crying. And I feel bad because I don't feel worse.
If you're a person who prays, please send up one for Helen today. And for me, that I'll be a good friend to her in the lonely days to come.
6 comments:
you got good buddy, two pray's on the way, one for your friend, and one for you, that God will give you both what you need to get you though this time of sorrow.
in my thought and pray's
janice
Janice, I appreciate that much more than I can say.
FYI? Comfortably Numb is about drug use - specifically, Dave Gilmour's useage: http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=2832
Donna Spago
I know, Donna; that's why I said it's a sad song. I don't think it glamorizes drug use at all -- quite the opposite. For those who don't know, it's about a band member who's too wasted to perform at concert time. His handlers bring in a doctor who gives him more even more drugs so that the show can go on. If that's not sad, I don't know what is.
My 22-year-old son loves the song, too. We have discussed the music and especially the lyrics at length, and we both believe "Comfortably Numb" is a musical masterpiece.
A Pink Floyd fan here. I'm interested to see that some interpret COMFORTABLY NUMB to be about drug use. I always thought it was about mental illness. But having read the lyrics, I agree with your take, Brenda.
My thoughts are with you and Helen. No matter how well prepared one may be, losing someone is still a shock. I think making re-adjustments to living without the loved one is the hardest. Oh, yes, my thoughts are with Helen. I wish her well.
Thank you Maili.
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