The day started well. Had to do the 8am phone scramble for an emergency dental appointment. No problem, got through on the 3rd attempt and got an immediate appointment. Even got seen before my appointment time and they didn't charge me anything for the visit. Gave me a prescription for more antibiotics and there wasn't a queue in the Pharmacy. To my surprise the Pharmacist remembered me from yesterday. Said she was glad I'd got it sorted and hopes the hospital appointment comes through soon.
The sun was shining and I was in very good spirits. Decided to pop into a regular coffee morning nearby. There's always a good crowd in there. Plenty of friendly chat and banter. I cheerfully walked through the door. The mood was all wrong in the room and I instantly knew something bad had happened. One of the regulars was missing. I last saw her three weeks ago and she seemed fine. Since then she's had a cancer diagnosis. I asked one of her friends if it's been caught early. The reply stunned me. Stage 4, palliative care.
I wondered how the get together was now going to progress. Perhaps some companionable silence and a few tears and hugs. Someone eventually stood up and said something about us all needing to remember to squeeze every since ounce of joy out of every day. So we put on our best smiles and told plenty of funny stories. We shared "the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you" anecdotes. Mine had everyone laughing and was declared the winner.
Would like a glass of wine to cheer myself up this afternoon but I've already started the antibiotics. A big bowl of ice cream will have to do instead.
