Write it in Pencil

January 8, 2002|

Write it in Pencil

I was supposed to be in a haze right now. An anesthetic haze caused by the very minor surgery of having a catheter put in my chest. Instead I am wide awake, writing you from the computer lab at the Ronald McDonald House. Why? I can’t and don’t want to get into the details, but there’s been a hold up in my admittance into the hospital. Insurance company, case managing company and hospital all play a significant role in the delay. Me- I am just a mere observer of the whole affair. Funny how this all revolves around me, yet there is no way for me to enter the circling fray to expedite the process. Patience, my friend, patience.

This whole adventure has once again proven the validity of the “write it in pencil theory.” The “write it in pencil” theory (discovered by noted scientist and educator Fred A. Canning) is that in such a predicament that I am in with my health, you can never write anything in pen in your calendar. Times and dates change so frequently that the calendar would be filled with more scratch marks than actual writing. Therefore you write everything in pencil and learn the value of the eraser at the other end.

As for me, well, I am learning another valuable lesson in patience. That sounds quite contrived and cute, doesn’t it? But it really is the truth. Sometimes the best lessons in life are hidden in such frustrating, irritating and annoying episodes. Think of the clam. The pearl, the beauty, is only created by the clam being irritated.

I actually am surprisingly calmer than I thought I would be. I guess I have just been accustomed to such delays and have learned the value of the “write it in pencil theory.”

So when I will be admitted? Who knows? Till then I am going to enjoy another day of good (ok, decent) health and freedom, maybe get some sushi for lunch and head to B & N for an afternoon of Starbucks and reading. Not a bad day, if I say so myself.

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