You know how things go. At least in some part of your life, you are cruising along with pretty good health, a reasonably good financial life, and good times with family and friends. The good times happen to some of us longer than others. However, getting old is not for sissies, so sooner or later we all find ourselves or someone we love with some medical or financial challenges. Â
Over the past few days it’s been rainy and dreary here. My lawn loves that kind of weather since it is a moss based yard. It has such a lush green look right now that I almost hate for the sun to pop out from behind the clouds. Â
Over the past few weeks I have been in and out of the hospital twice.  This has been an eye-opening experience that one can only imagine unless they have been on the other side of this service industry.  Â
I’ve met with a range of emotions that include appreciation, disgust, love, genuine care, disappointment, humiliation, amazement, humbleness, anger, laughter and dread. Â
I made an unexpected visit recently to Providence Hospital. It was surprising to me and something I had not expected to be a part of as a patient since most of the time I go there to visit friends or relatives. Â
Jerry called this evening.  It has been an active couple of days and we agreed I would be down next week to take him to a vocational rehabilitation appointment as well as to an opthamologist appointment at a local clinic that will see him based on his income. Â
I could tell he was cautiously optimistic on the other end of the phone.  He had gotten a phone call from DSS earlier in the day and he did qualify for foodstamps.  The voucher would be in his mail tomorrow.Â
He was encouraged.  He was so relieved that “someone finally believed him.â€Â  he said.Â