I remember it plain as day. It was last year. I had an appointment with my "stent doctor" at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. I rushed from the house like Dagwood trying to catch the bus and drove like a mad woman to make the trip from the Mississippi Coast. Late! Hurry, hurry, hurry. Across the twin spans from Slidell, up and down the High Rise, speeding down I-10. Then round and round the parking garage at Ochsner to find a parking place and running. Up the elevator to the third floor. It opened. I stepped out. Oh!! . . Oh!!
When I crossed the threshold of the elevator on the third floor that day, I crossed a threshold unseen but recognized in an instant. It was a leaving behind and an entering into. I laughed at myself and my new-found situation as I approached the receptionist. I stood before her, giggling like a school girl. When I said that I just realized I was a day early for my appointment, there were big smiles all around and others joined my giggling. Then I made my big announcement: "I have just become a little old lady." There were more smiles, but behind my smile was that certainty of my new title along with the thought "Where do I go from here?"
In Celebration of MHS Class of 1958
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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4 comments:
There is a great lesson in your story. The lesson can be a blessing or a danger. When you think you become something - you do.
I often work with people struggling on the other end of the spectrum ... to become something they find difficult to achieve. If I can get them to believe they can become something - they can.
My suggestion is never believe you are something you don't want to be. On the other hand, believing you are something you want to be is the first step in becoming that.
But from my observations of your post, the time and energy dedicated to the blog, you are far from a "little old lady".
Fortunately, my role model is my mother who continued to laugh and learn throughout her life and stayed very independent. Also, my Franciscan friends are very much like her. Together, we find ourselves amusing and our faith and each other very life giving.
Funny story, Ouida. The going a day early is no reason to see yourself as " a little old lady". It"s if you ever have a "Where do I go from here?" thought while driving that might give you cause to start a little old lady dialogue with yourself.The question I have is did your charming declaration work? Did the doctor take you anyway?
Ahh. David, good question! Yes, the doctor saw me. I was very grateful as the thought of having to repeat the road race again the very next day was more than I could bear.
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