The Waiting Game

Many of my afternoons this past week were spent at various medical appointments, which is almost always preceded by a lengthy stay in a not so accommodating waiting room. Perhaps adult doctor's offices should take note of the waiting rooms at a certain children's hospital? I am an avid people-watcher by nature, so rather than picking up the only magazine available, a tattered issue of Prevention from 2006, I enjoy sitting back and immersing myself in what I will call the "waiting room culture." Now, let me preface this by saying that many of my waiting room counterparts are of a different generation, forty and fifty years my senior. I enjoy watching couples come together for an appointment. It seems to be the wife's job to check in with the receptionist, regardless of whether or not she is the patient. The husband dutifully hangs the coats and scarves and tries to find seating arrangements with the best view of the morning news, and of course two seats together. He typically also has brought the daily paper, taking out certain sections and the crossword puzzle for his wife. Once the wife finishes checking in, a commentary ensues about the husband's poor choice of shirt for the day, given the weather, and why didn't he choose the sweater laid out for him on the bed? She, in the meantime, has chosen a tailored pantsuit, perfectly combed hair, and lipstick for the occasion. The husband's distracted mumblings from behind his newspaper seem to satisfy the wife for the moment, while she pulls out a gallon-sized Ziploc bag full of various medications and ensures that she has brought everything.  

At about this point in time, without fail, someone recognizes another waiting-room participant, perhaps from the bridge club, church choir, or wait, aren't you the couple that live across the street in the retirement community? And didn't I see you in the produce department at Giant last week? Pleased as punch, the wives begin a lively conversation and compare their gallon-sized Ziploc bags while the husbands nod approvingly at each other, each returning to their newspaper. While I'm often the only person in the waiting room who doesn't have a comrade with me, or don't require a driver, couples exchange pleasantries with me, comment on the weather, and eventually ask the inevitable, "Why aren't you married?" Before I have time to creatively answer, a nurse calls my name from the door. The smiles quickly fade as those in the room realize I arrived five minutes after them and I am being seen first! Rumbles and grumbles escalate as I leave the waiting room area. The nurse quickly reminds one of the physicians that he has several patients waiting for him, who are getting a bit "testy." And so, I wonder as I leave the waiting room, what stories would each of those couples have to tell? Has one spouse been the caretaker for many years, or is this a new journey they are taking together? Are they here today to find out what the new journey will be? Perhaps next time, I'll be the one to strike up conversation. Maybe I will learn something new from someone who's much farther along in their life journey, no worse for the wear.

In other news, well, rings, "I do's," and babies...although not for me! Many of the wonderful friends that I went to school with, some as early as elementary school, are ushering in the New Year with a commitment to someone very special or a special someone on the way! It seems almost surreal that the same friends who shared Catholic school uniforms, bagged lunches, birthday parties, and proms, are now moving forward with the creation of their own families. How quickly some periods of time can go by, while others seem to move more slowly. I'm looking forward to celebrating with dear friends and sharing in their joy. It makes me think about my own future and wonder what is in store for me, an exciting but scary prospect! I never thought I could learn as much about myself from being single as I have in the past year. Getting to know yourself as a person and an individual and what you stand for is such a gift, especially when faced with something that at an earlier time in your life would have knocked you to the ground. So, is love on the horizon for the coming year? I certainly no longer am convinced that I have all the answers for what lies ahead, but I will choose, or at least try, to seek happiness in the present knowing that something far greater than myself will dictate my path. In the meantime, getting the chance to hold a friend's new healthy and perfect baby is purely blissful, and the feeling should be bottled up for retail sale!

To my blog readers, I wish for you this week: Patience if you find yourself needing to wait for something, someone, or answers you have been seeking; an indulgence in some Valentine's candy, I recommend Sweet-Tart jelly beans; the ability to be able to financially or in some other way provide support to a cause that is close to you; and finally, someone to remind you that you are meant for greatness. If not, remind yourself, at least once a day!