A Day At The VA
Had to go to the VA today for an eye appointment. I have been battling glaucoma for several years now, and it has been giving me major problems lately. I bought a new 22" monitor, but it is so bright it seems to compound the issue. So Rosie took me down today to have yet another eye exam. The news wasn't good, but the doctor held out a crumb of hope to me, saying it is still treatable.
I had to wait a bit for the doc to check the pressure in my left eye, so I went down to the lobby and sat. I couldn't see well, but the people around me gave me pause. Here, a vet in a wheelchair, one leg gone, rail thin, nervous as a whore in church, wearing sunglasses and a face mask. There, a black man with very elegant grey hair, rolled into tight curls around his head. He walked with a cane, looked like he hadn't had a decent meal in a month and was poorly dressed. People around me - the dross of our great society, doing the Thorazine shuffle all around the lobby. I was more than a bit moved, and almost broke down over their plight.
So sitting there, I realized how thankful I am. And the beat goes on...
I am thankful I can still walk unaided, even though I am a bit unsteady on my feet. blame the meds.
I am thankful I can still see, although poorly. I can still work, and still drive, and don't have to depend on the shuttle to get me to the VA Center.
I am thankful for my wife, who is my tower of strength. She does her best to understand me, even though I know how tough that may be.
I am thankful for a decent car and enough money in my pocket to get me to the Center, even though gas today was $3.26 a gallon.
I am thankful for a lovely old loft to live in, and even though the view sucks, i have no commute.
I am thankful for my little weasel dog, who is so much company and gives me unconditional love.
And I am thankful for family and friends, near and far. I may not see them or hear from them like I wish, but they are there, and, hopefully thinking of me once in a while.
I am thankful for meaningful work, even though it gets very boring at times. I am paid very well for what I do, and I can live comfortably. All this for an old man who only needs money for booze and smokes.
Life has been kind to me, even though I wonder if I am deserving. I need to be more thankful, and thankful that it is not me doing the Thorazine shuffle at the VA...
Fuck it, don't mean nothin'
Charlie~
Had to go to the VA today for an eye appointment. I have been battling glaucoma for several years now, and it has been giving me major problems lately. I bought a new 22" monitor, but it is so bright it seems to compound the issue. So Rosie took me down today to have yet another eye exam. The news wasn't good, but the doctor held out a crumb of hope to me, saying it is still treatable.
I had to wait a bit for the doc to check the pressure in my left eye, so I went down to the lobby and sat. I couldn't see well, but the people around me gave me pause. Here, a vet in a wheelchair, one leg gone, rail thin, nervous as a whore in church, wearing sunglasses and a face mask. There, a black man with very elegant grey hair, rolled into tight curls around his head. He walked with a cane, looked like he hadn't had a decent meal in a month and was poorly dressed. People around me - the dross of our great society, doing the Thorazine shuffle all around the lobby. I was more than a bit moved, and almost broke down over their plight.
So sitting there, I realized how thankful I am. And the beat goes on...
I am thankful I can still walk unaided, even though I am a bit unsteady on my feet. blame the meds.
I am thankful I can still see, although poorly. I can still work, and still drive, and don't have to depend on the shuttle to get me to the VA Center.
I am thankful for my wife, who is my tower of strength. She does her best to understand me, even though I know how tough that may be.
I am thankful for a decent car and enough money in my pocket to get me to the Center, even though gas today was $3.26 a gallon.
I am thankful for a lovely old loft to live in, and even though the view sucks, i have no commute.
I am thankful for my little weasel dog, who is so much company and gives me unconditional love.
And I am thankful for family and friends, near and far. I may not see them or hear from them like I wish, but they are there, and, hopefully thinking of me once in a while.
I am thankful for meaningful work, even though it gets very boring at times. I am paid very well for what I do, and I can live comfortably. All this for an old man who only needs money for booze and smokes.
Life has been kind to me, even though I wonder if I am deserving. I need to be more thankful, and thankful that it is not me doing the Thorazine shuffle at the VA...
Fuck it, don't mean nothin'
Charlie~
posted by Charlie Allnut | 5:49 PM
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