Do you know
those kinds of mornings when nothing seems to go right? Today was my
turn! It was painful. I got out the door late for a retina
exam...no breakfast. Traffic was terrible so I got there late. I
asked the office person if I had time to go downstairs to get a coffee and grab
a bite. She said, "Possibly." That's when they came out
into the waiting room, "Wally." I was whisked into a room where
they tested my eyesight, and then put in the dilation drops. I was sent
down to a different waiting room. I waited for a while, then asked the
desk person, "Now do you think I have time to go downstairs?" "Well, you are number two on the list. If you are late we
will take the next patient." I told her, "I'll take my
chance."
I get to the
coffee shop, and you guessed it. I had to wait in line. I
finally ordered a coffee and pastry. When I took the lid off of the
coffee to add cream, it was filled to the BRIM. I looked up at the
barista, and she said, "Just dump some of it in the trash." I
grabbed the cup but the slight squeezing effect spilled hot coffee on the
counter AND my hand! After praying to the Patron Saint of Burns, I
made my way back up six floors.
When I
walked in, a patient asked, "Are you Wally?" "Yes," I
cringed. "They just called your name," he announced.
Fine. I had some time to eat. after a couple of bites, they called
me, so I packed up everything and moved to another examining room. While
waiting for the doctor I FINALLY finished my coffee and pastry.
When the Doc
came in, he asked, "How are you doing." I said, "Fine, but
I'll get over it." He liked that one. When we were done he
said, "Well go out and have a bad day," with a smile. I told
him, "Some people have bad days, I have bad decades." I left
him laughing. He dilated my eyes, took a look, and said, "Looks
good."
As I was
leaving the office, I thought, "I don't need those little sunshades they
give you. After all, My glasses were photo-grey. When I hit the
outside, I realized I probably should have taken the sunglasses, but hey, I can
do this. I entered the parking structure and questioned myself about what
floor my car was parked on. I wasn't seeing well, so I could not find my
car, even while holding my key fob and pressing the alarm button.
Okay, I made
my way back up the sixth floor to the doctor's office and got the sunshade.
I headed downstairs to the lobby. I told the information person I was
having a hard time finding my car. She said, "I can call security
for you." With twenty-six years in law enforcement, I couldn't imagine
asking a security officer to drive me around to find my car. Thank God, I am
retired! I told the hostess, "I'll go check again for my car."
She replied, "You might miss the security officer." "I'll
take my chances," I replied.
This time,
armed with sunglasses and clearer eyes, I found the car...FINALLY! I did make
it back home with minutes to spare before my wife needed the car. I was
exhausted, but thankful to have doctors to take care of me and a car to make it
to appointments. This is especially helpful since most of the names in my
directory start with "Dr."
Have you
had one of those days you would like to share? Hit to pencil below to
place a comment. It would be nice to know I'm not alone with these kinds
of experiences.
