Friday, April 13, 2018

Such is Life~

     As I waited my turn in the doctor’s office yesterday, a woman started a conversation with me, “It’s kinda cool today, isn’t it?” she said. “Yeah, a little,” I said, “but that sun sure is nice!”  She nodded and there were a few moments of silence before she started again.
“I had to come out here to get a prescription. They don’t phone them in like they used to. I guess it’s ‘cause so many people get addicted to drugs.”
“Guess so,” I answered.
“Not me!” she said. “I’ve lived 82 years without getting addicted to that stuff. I’m not gonna start now.”
I smiled.  She continued. “I had a knee replacement and the doctor wanted me to take pain pills but I said, “No way! I’m not taking that stuff and getting addicted. So I got up and went home! My grandmother said I was the strongest person she’d ever seen.”
“What did you take for the pain?” I said—“Aspirin? Tylenol?”
“Nothing!” she said. “I just fought through it.”
“Wow!” I said, starting to doubt her word a little.
But she wasn’t finished. 
“You can’t tell anything about this weather, can you?” she continued. “I told Mom this morning there’s no use putting out any tomato plants until we’re sure it’s not gonna frost anymore.”
“Right!” I agreed. Finally! The young doctor’s assistant opened the door and said, “Mrs. Smith” and she went in.
Sitting there alone, I started processing what she’d said. Talking about her grandmother was easy enough, I guess. She was telling a story from the past, but if she just told “Mom” this morning that they shouldn’t put out any tomato plants, that sounds about as current as it gets! 
And if this brave lady, who needs no medication for joint replacements, is 82, I wonder how old Mom is.  
And is Dad going to plow the field this year?  

www.amazon.com/author/peggytoneyhorton  

4 comments:

Jeanette said...

This is so funny Peggy. I hate it when strangers start a conversation with me. I usually take a book and don't look up from it. Cute post!

Peggy~ said...

Thanks, Jeanette! It doesn't bother me to talk to people. Sometimes, I'm the one who starts talking first. It depends on my mood. You can get a lot of strange stories from listening to people.

Dennis J. said...

Interesting piece Peggy. You take the simplest things and make them entertaining! I love your writing! Don't stop.

Linda said...

Cute little slice of life! Love it.