What's so funny about...

What happened to this week?  Whooosshhh, just like the sound of my iPhone sending an text.  Gone, zipped off with hardly a trace.  I went back to work, each day was full of people coming and going at the wrong times, wanting more time, missing appointments since I was out a week. Everything seemed off schedule. Two new people who had to wait for me to return, didn't even show-up.   Too long to wair?

It shouldn't be that hard.  I was there, in the office, every day, on time.  But when your life is a mess nothing is easy.

"I understand that your aunt hung herself in the next apartment and died leaving two children, aged ten and six, but your appointment was at 1, and somehow you forgot?  But that's OK because the person who was scheduled for tomorrow at 1 showed-up for your appointment, so I can see you tomorrow.  I guess everything happens for a reason -- but I'm not sure I can say that about your aunt.

A week off has a lot to be said for it, especially when it's hot and humid and you're down by the water.  But it really isn't as interesting as sitting here being amazed by stories of how people screwed up their lives during the time I was away.  Loneliness, illness, stress, conflict, addictions, death and general stupidity are the basic diagnostic categories I work with, but they don't come with billing codes.  And the last one applies to both the insurance companies and the current chaos of health-insurance reform.

 Life is complex.  It can be difficult and unforgiving.  Our society does not make it easy or offer much relief.  Jobs are scarce, money is tight, and important things, like an education, are getting wildly expensive.  The feeling out there is like riding on the sleigh in the winter in old Russia.  If you fall behind the wolves will get you and tear you apart.  The rich and well-protected have no trouble going on without you.  They have learned how not to look back.

This has always been true. We all can justify what we do to take care of ourselves.  For some reason, when I was a naive child of the '60s I had the strong belief that everyone wanted that to change.  There was no reason why it shouldn't.  We were smart, educated, rich and aware.  Make Love Not War! 

"What's so funny about Peace, Love and Understanding?"

I still don't know the answer, but I fear that everyone else does.