While sitting in the waiting room in Internal Medicne at OHSU waiting for Shilo today, a son wheeled his Mom into the room, parking her in the empty spot next to the chair I was sitting in. We said our "Hello's", me making the assumption that she was the patient and her son was bringing her to her doctor appointment.
Soon a nurse popped out of the patient room doors and called out a name. As the son, in his 50's, got up to follow the nurse through the swinging doors, his Mom called out, "David? Do you have your list of questions?" "Yes Mom", he answered holding up a notebook.
David's Mom, probably in her 70's, now looked at me and said, "It's a Mom thing." I chuckled knowingly, since Shilo and I had just had a similar conversation when she was called back.
I then continued to read my book. My new friend, glancing over, stated, "Darn! I forgot my book today." I asked her if she would like me to find her a magazine. She just smiled and good-naturedly said, "No thank you. I'll just sit here and pout."
Very shortly, Shilo emerged from the nether-regions of the clinic, I said good-bye to my waiting room friend and we were off.
Heading to the car, I told Shilo about our conversation. She laughed and said that it sounds like a picture of us in 30 years or so.
Sometimes those short moments with strangers can add so much to our lives.
Have you made a waiting room friend lately?
7 comments:
Oh Paula! I've been in so doggone many waiting rooms over the past 8 years, there's no way I could avoid not striking up a conversation here and there with many of those other folks! It's just my nature to do things like that to begin with and when you sort of have a "captive" audience in waiting rooms, why not take advantage of the situation and make life just a tad more interesting in the process, huh?
I can hardly remember all the waiting room friends we've met over the years but I do know that the moment we spent together enriched out lives.
It's a mom thing!
It's amazing how you can connect with someone in just a few minutes.
That's such a sweet story - I love her sense of humor "I'll just sit here and pout." he he
PS - I hope all went well for Shilo!
Funny how such a brief encounter can stay with you. Another reason to try to stay positive since you never know who might be watching and carry that feeling away with them!
By the way - I love the picture you included with this post!!
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