Monday, April 2, 2012

Love ..... In Unexpected Places

The Gastroenterology waiting room was full ..... full of wives, daughters and granddaughters brought along as chauffeurs to drive the husbands, fathers and grandfathers who after having been cleansed and purged were in the clinical rooms having the dreaded colonoscopy procedure performed.  There was a camaraderie amongst these women, especially the wives.  We all had something in common.  We had sacrificed and shared a small part of our husbands to go out and protect and fight for all Americans.  There was an undercurrent feeling of pride, love and respect for our veterans that trickled down to the children and grown grandchildren in the room.  We were in a good place - a place that now takes care of the men and women who have taken care of the rest of us.

A little over a year ago, I wrote a post about conversations in waiting rooms that you can see at this link.  Until that time, I had been somewhat of a waiting room snob, wanting my privacy so I could write notes or read a magazine and be in my own little world.  That waiting room experience changed all that.  Now I take my magazines and notebooks along, but I only use them as conversation starters.  I discovered that you can't write about life if you're not giving yourself the opportunity to experience the complexities of other people's lives.  My life stories are boring so it's hard to pull imaginative writing out of thin air and make it interesting, but conversations with total strangers can send my fingers flying over my keyboard with enthusiasm and creativity.   My book gets a boost of energy instead of laying flat and stale in a drawer beside my bed.

Tomorrow, I'll share tidbits from the "chauffeurs" - the women who were waiting to take home their veterans.   I loved their stories.

9 comments:

  1. Hi Glenda,

    This is so funny. My husband, also a Vet was scheduled for that fun procedure last week and the week before that because the VA wanted it. We didn't get it done yet cause he is having troubles remembering and not eating. Also since his strokes he has been anxious about things the night before and doesn't sleep. So it is hard to be there in the mornings

    Anyway, just thought your post was timely. :)

    Take care my friend, Janet W

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  2. I spent too many hours the past week in airport - post coming this week-- but the good side of being stuck is there are stories and people enticing me to write about them, as you have here.. I an a huge people stalker. Your life is not boring. You only have to look at it with different eyes.

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    1. Brenda, I have always been a people watcher - perhaps a stalker too, but I've always just listened in on their conversations....never joining in. It's surprising to me what total strangers will reveal to you if you just show a little interest. I've been missing out!

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    2. Brenda, I've always been a people watcher and maybe somewhat of a stalker. I love to overhear their conversations, but have not ever wanted to join in. Now I've become just the opposite and have been delighted at how easily you get caught up into the lives of others by being inquisitive.

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  3. I followed your link - well written!

    I feel a blog post coming on ...

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  4. You want boring? I'll clear a spot for your desk and computer here and you'll change your mind. Or, you can go out and talk to the chickens. They always have some story to tell.

    The VA is the only place I feel at ease in a large crowd. I belong.

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  5. I'm sure your life stories aren't really boring, Glenda! But it's really good how you have drawn so much inspiration from sitting in that waiting room with all those people. I bet Henry is feeling better today!

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    1. Yes, he's back to normal today. And yes, I'm pretty sure most people would find my life boring - but happy.

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  6. Mike, your stories are never boring. They're funny and interesting. Hubby feels the exact same way about the VA. He's never comfortable in regular doctor's offices, but feels very much at ease at the VA clinic and hospital. Rock Hill's clinic and Dorn in Columbia are top-notch in my opinion. The treatments he has received there are just as good or better than he received in private practices.

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