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WITandWISDOM(tm) - December 17, 1999 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: In a conversation, keep in mind that you're more interested in what you have to say than anyone else is. - Andy Rooney, (Pieces of My Mind) - Reader's Digest, July 1999 (Magazine: Reader's Digest http:www.readersdigest.com) ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: LIGHT WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg. It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. And all she had to cling to was her husband, Mark. Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan, and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangement wasn't working. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But she was still so fragile, so angry - how would she react? Just as he predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!", she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel like you're abandoning me." Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus-riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday . . . Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself. On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure do envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and again asked, "What do you mean?" The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady." Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness. (Brian Johnson <1briguy@usa.net>) ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: MEDICAL RECORD DICTATION Part 2 of 2 [Dec 8, 17] On the second day the knee was better. On the third day it had completely disappeared. The patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year. This is a healthy-appearing, decrepit, 60-year-old white female, mentally alert but forgetful. If he squeezes the back of his neck for 4-5 years it comes and goes. The left leg became numb at times and she walked it off. SKIN: Somewhat pale but present. "Patient has been married twice, but denies any other serious illnesses." "Patient experiences difficulty swallowing tires easily." "History: Patient was shot in the head with .34 caliber rifle. Chief Complaint, Headache." "Patient was struck by an auto while she was walking across the street at approximately 45 miles per hour." "When you pin him down, he has some slowing of the steam." (ReesDH0918 via E-zine: JOKES EVERY DAY Mailto:jokesubscribe@jokeseveryday.com) ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: Here are two signs we've seen : Brass sign at the entrance to a club in Mexico, "Members and Non-Members Allowed" Brochure for mountain cabin rentals; Lovely honeymoon cabin . . . . sleeps 8 . . . (GTE/kedman) ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: LONDON (Reuters, Oct. 1999) - A 29-year old ginger and white tomcat called Spike has been crowned Britain's oldest cat he's the equivalent of 203 in human years. Owner Mo Elkington says the 10-pound puss has lived so long because she feeds him the "healing'' aloe vera plant, whose extracts are commonly used in skin moisturizers. "I put some in his food every day. It keeps his fur healthy and protects him against rheumatism,'' said Elkington, an aromatherapist. She only discovered Spike was a record-breaker when she took him to a vet. "I'd no idea his age was that unusual but the vet was staggered so I called the record people.'' Spike is now officially entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest living cat. Britain's oldest ever cat died in Devon in 1957, aged 34. (Netscape Netcenter ) |