Lessons From Bald Women

Right before Christmas, I had an appointment with my otolaryngologist (try saying that five times fast!) I absolutely adore this ENT doc except for one little issue - he's almost always late. What?! A doctor, late?! Shocking, I know.

As I'm sitting in the waiting room, my appointment time came and went. As did another 15 minutes. Then 15 more. I was starting to get agitated. I was really not in a chit chatty mood when another waiting patient commented on Carson, my Seeing Eye dog. With that, two or three more patients, all women, joined in complimenting my pooch. They enthusiastically asked questions and I answered as politely as I could... which probably wasn't as courteous as usual since I was so annoyed that all this sitting around waiting was cutting into my Christmas shopping time.

When the conversation died down, my girlfriend leaned over and said, "Just so you know, I'm the only woman here who has hair." It was then that I remembered the doctor's office is in a place called the Pratt Cancer Center. And these four women were some of the patients who benefit from the services of this medical institution.

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to be frustrated over a late doctor when you're sitting with chemo patients? It ain't easy. Trust me. The women went on to talk to one another, laughing and chatting. Enjoying normal conversation and camaraderie. And all the while I couldn't shake the thought that these vivacious, beautiful women were fighting the battle of their lives. And they still took time to enjoy the wonder of a black lab.

I wish for you the blinding flash of the obvious I felt in that waiting room: whatever problems you're facing, there are people dealing with lots, lots worse. If we can keep that in mind, we'll all live lives of appreciation for the comforts we have.