Cancelled
Today was a day of cancellations. Actually, it started yesterday. With my optometrist, whose efficient and polite assistant informed me at check-in that the doctor had been ill for two days and was not in for my appointment. Today however, people called to cancel their appointments to see me, except in the one case where she just didn't show up. I guess that's a cancellation of sorts, as well.
Initially, I was annoyed. I am tightly scheduled by choice, and I hate wasting time if it's not my own time I'm wasting. At work, I prefer to be busy. Today though, a co-worker asked me if I had a free moment. And I did. Because today was a day of cancellations.
My co-worker wanted to know how you know another person is worth what it's going to cost you to be with them. He asked because his girlfriend is struggling with some REALLY BIG stuff. Stuff going all the way back to age 3, stuff that should never happen, but did. We talked for the duration of what should have been two appointments.
In the end, I told him that you don't know. You never can, not for certain. You have to decide that you're willing to pay the price just for the opportunity, not for the outcome. It's a gamble, like most things.
As his eyes welled, and he reached simply for my hand, I knew he was going to be a gambling kinda man. I wished him all the best, and I was never so grateful for cancellations in all my life.
posted by eclectic @ 2:27 PM
29 comments
29 Comments:
That's awesome, that you were there for him when he needed someone to talk to. And believe you me, he lucked out that YOU were the one he got to talk to about such matters. You have such a good head on your shoulders and a heart like no other.
Exactly what soozieq said.
Some people gamble like your friend, and it pays off beautifully. Others, years of devastation. Some people are brave enough to risk it, though. I hope your friend finds happiness.
i've never been much of a gambler, but i'm always thankful for those who are.
How lucky for him that you had cancellations. :)
Seems to me that you helped me not pick all of the petals off of the rose and, well, here we are 11 years later! BTW, I think we're heavy on the Super. Go Colts!
You've got to know when to hold 'em. Know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away. Know when to run. You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table. There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.
That's what I think, anyway.
Hello, Shari.
Let him gamble, I'm sitting this one out.
Sometimes, things just work out like that. Ya done good, darlin.
Best wishes to your friend...
xxx
Just the fact that he's taken a step back and is looking at the situation somewhat objectively is a good sign, I think. And isn't it funny how things work out . . . that you could be there for him today. Cool.
But I'm still irked that the optometrist let you show up for your appointment, rather than calling to let you know ahead of time.
Aw, E! You're sweet.
I hope your friend ends up being a lucky gambler.
Yep, sometimes things happen for a reason. I'm glad you were there for him.
Some things happen for a reason. I'm so glad you had cancellations too. :)
And sometimes, the little (and not so little) choices and gestures now can cancel out the horrors of the past. I couldn't think of a wiser person to talk to about these things than you, eclectic.
I hope you billed him for two hours.
Sooze: I don't even have words to tell you how much it means to me to have you say that, Sooze. Wow. Your comment just blew me away. Thank you.
Susie: I hope so, too. I have a good feeling about them, and they are both incredibly brave. And you are incredibly kind.
Kat: You gamble plenty, just in other ways. Like baiting government contractors... ;)
JDR: Amen, sistah! XOXO
Squirl: You are sweet to me! Actually, it was lucky for me, too. A great opportunity to assess my own relationship, and my own investment in it. And it really was an honor that he wanted my opinion.
Steve-O: You changed your profile name?! It's obviously been far too long since I've stopped by for a visit. I'll remedy that soon!
Scott: Wow. You ever thought of writing lyrics? ;)
Bloggy: An' you fresh off the boat from Branson? Nah, I ain't buyin' it.
Sheryl: It is true, isn't it? *sigh* But that's what makes it so sweet when it pays off, eh? Thanks for those nice words.
CK: Thank ya, m'am!
Mo-Dis:XOXO
Shawkey: It is a good sign, and I can see them being really happy together. Cross fingers, eh? And what is WITH the optometrist not calling? Completely baffled me.
Lynn: I do too. I really feel good about them and I hope it works out for them both.
Hemmie: Me too. He was much stronger today, and it was good to see.
Peefer: Canstellations in the stars. Precisely.
Platy: That's exactly how it felt.
Zuhn: High praise, indeed, my friend. Thank you.
Limpy: Nope. But I DID bill you. It's due on the 1st. Thanks.
Powerful....profound....thought provoking....as always.
Have I told you lately how much your writing touches my heart? You ARE an amazing woman and I feel so very lucky to have you in my life.
Angie
Check's in the mail. Honest.
Don't you love it when it all comes together? That you could be there for your friend? Very cool.
Good Advice
Shun advice
At any price.
That's what I call
Good advice.
-- Piet Hein
That said ... you're pretty damn smart.
I've been having the same types of conversations lately. Shari, you make the world a better place.
Wow. That's all I've got. Just Wow. Isn't it interesting how when we think things are going to hell, they surprise us and work out wonderfully sometimes?
Even when the road ahead promises to be rough, the smoother patches of road and kickin' scenery make it all worthwhile. Spoken from experience.
I'd be perfectly okay with cancelling next week. Can we get on that now?
Ooooo, I'm with Bone! Can we cancel the upcoming week?
Maybe even a month or two.
Angie: Me? Really?? Wow! That's lovely to hear, coming from you. Right back to you, girl. March 9-10 is only 5 more weeks!
Limpy: Oh good. Whose account?
Kranki: Yeah!
Nilbo: Shun. That's a fine and underutilized word. There ought to be a prize for not only using it, but quoting it in poetry. ;)
Matt: You humble me, you really do. Thank you.
Traci: There's a reason to get up in the morning if ever I've heard one.
Bone: Consider it done. Just as soon as I log on to the computer that runs the world.
CK: Absolutely!
Bone: I'm working on it, but the damn computer that runs the world has locked out my account.
Sniff! This little post went straight to me heart.
Good on ya, E, for being there.
If I needed someone to listen and someone to give me advice. I would come to you in a heartbeat.
I still say bears do it up right. Hibernation is the way to go. I can stock up on Funyuns, Campbell's soup, carbonated beverages, and see y'all for the spring thaw.
Post a Comment
<< Home