School days cometh

First thing this morning I called the hospital to ask where Gilly stands on the waiting list. Janet, the person in charge of the radio-oncology ‘list’ is still enjoying her long weekend. I’ll have to attempt to squeeze a phone call in tomorrow at some point during my packed work schedule. After a 5 day break, there’s much to be done and so little time to do it.

These days, it seems I need a can opener to make space / time for the many details I have to attend to outside of ‘what’s normal.’ I made a valiant attempt to catch up on all my school work today, in between all sorts of interruptions (many pleasant ones, I might add, like calls from special friends and family). This is not to say that I am in any way behind in my work. It is just that I am more comfortable being ahead of the game; ready for anything that may get thrown my way. I’m the opposite of a procrastinator, but often, our current life circumstance forces me to resemble one.

While dining with Susie, Joey and the boys last evening, I mentioned to Noam that I have not read a book since Gilly was diagnosed. Normally, I take out a stack of books from the library, and have one on hand in each room of the house. I pick them up whenever I have spare time, and follow several stories at once. For weeks, I have been nursing a book of short stories by Sholom Aleheim. Joey mused aloud, “Reading short stories seems to mirror your life at the moment.” Touché, mon frere. A short story grows out of each day’s events. I cannot plan ahead; there’s no telling what the plot will be tomorrow. One day at a time,

Since Gilly’s spill last Thursday, he has had only good days, and he seems to have gradually improved. He’s sure the fall knocked some sense into him. He smiles easily, at the littlest provocation, and when he does, colourful rays of sunlight peek through the clouds. He stood in the kitchen this morning taking stock of his sweet, hairy companion. “We’re so lucky,” he marveled. Imagine him saying something like that! I replied, “I’m lucky to have you, you’re lucky to have me, and we’re lucky to have our children, and last but not least our dog.” “You’re so right,” he agreed.

Goodnight, kind folks. It’s a school night, after all.