one of those days

i woke up to a small egg like lump attached to my chin.
and i wasnt sure if i was inflicted with mono or mounting an allergic reaction.
turns out i was just unlucky.
one of my lymph nodes decided to triple in size. perhaps holding in an infection, perhaps just being punchy.

off to the er i took myself. the lump came too.

waiting in the er turned out to be a study in people's relationships. some came with their mom's, others brought 2 or 3 siblings and for other's, just their spouse.
but my favorite were the two 80 year old women in the room next to mine.

sisters? asked the nurse as she came into their room.
best friends. but it feels like sisters. known each other 50 years, the one in the chair answered.
and you just came to bring her in today?
i did. missed my lunch too. this one loves the attention.
the friend in the bed smiled.
after 50 years, i think she had a pretty good idea when the other was being a little sassy.

its hard being on your own sometimes.
there isnt the convenience of family doctors, a room upstairs with clean sheets and someone to soothe you by feeling your forehead.

but today i was thankful for my sister and mother. while they didnt personally accompany me to the hospital, i felt their support 1,200 miles, 3 hours and one long hug away.
and i was grateful to not be quite so on my own.