Circle of Life (Archive from March 26, 2006)

A good friend of mine's father is in the hospital. He had a stroke right before she was supposed to come on my press trip (she is a colleague as well as a friend.) I went to see him today to bring him a bottle of Scotch I picked up for him in Edinburgh. That's me -- bringing alcohol to people in rehab centers. Do I know how to cheer up sick people or what? He was really cheerful and I think a little embarassed that we were all making such a big deal about him being able to open and close his right hand. It just made me think about the circle of life and all that. He was a virile man with a lot of pride but now he is forced to discuss his indigestion and nerve damage with nurses and doctors who don't know him and you can tell he wishes he could just get up and walk out the door and take care of himself. But he can't. They have to help him go to the bathroom and feed himself and it's hard for him. But he remembered who I was which was great, I thought. Anyway, if you could all keep him in your thoughts, that would be great? I believe in the power of positive thinking.