Before returning to our hotel for the evening and after the scrumptious barbecue dinner I insisted that Hubby and I pay a visit to our old neighborhood and the friends we had there that we had not seen since moving away in 2004. It was a neighborhood and neighbors that I had completely fallen head over heels in deep like with and I was not about to leave Maryland without seeing at least a few of them.
Our first stop was delightful, happy, filled with such good news of the past 5 years. Their two daughters had grown from grade school age to high school beauties, well versed and well mannered. This didn't surprise me since their parents are two of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. We had first moved into the neighborhood in 2000 and their youngest daughter at that time was four years old, would come up onto our front porch, press her tiny nose against our window screens, peek inside and visit with our dog. She's now 13 and plays the trombone! What a change. Her older sister is now looking at colleges to attend... EEK... where do the years go? I would not have missed this visit for the world.
Upon completing this visit we walked two doors down the street and knocked on another neighbor's door. Our dear friend answered. She was surprised to see us, since we had not called anyone ahead of time, and she greeted us with a huge smile. I commented on her loss of weight and she related to us that her husband had been injured in a freak accident earlier this year and had lost his eye sight entirely. He is a physicist. Exceptionally smart like my Hubby. His optic nerve had been severed in the accident and he will most likely never see again unless stem cell research provides a solution in the years ahead or a technology is developed that will allow him to in some way see again.
Hubby and I were heart broken at this news and stared at the piles and piles of insurance and medical bills and forms that now fill their dining room table. Neither of them can now work as it is now her new job in life to care for him and take care of ALL OF THE INSURANCE FORMS!! We need reform folks. For those of you against it, well..... my jaw hit the floor when I saw what it has done to these people's lives. Insurance reform in this country is a must. An absolute must.
Thursday morning arrived too soon. We did not sleep at all well on the Westin Hotel's beds which they advertise as being 'Heavenly Beds'. Not so.... Not so.... they suck if you want the truth about them.
I sat and ate my breakfast alone at the hotel restaurant called the 'Luminous'. Hubby had risen early to attend the seminar being held there at the hotel. The plate on my table had a scrumptious breakfast sandwich with egg, bacon and cheese, some yummy fried potatoes, strawberries and a pulpy and wonderful glass of orange juice. But my mind was still on the table I had seen last night filled with a nightmare of insurance forms and medical bills.
It had indeed been a good news, bad news evening that had not washed away, due to a bad night's sleep on a crummy mattress.
I wondered if this trip would get any better.
8 Of The Groovy People Said:
That is so sad....so very sorry about your friends. :(
I can only imagine what your old friends are going through right now. So sorry to hear of this.
So sorry your friends are having to deal with insurance forms. The sad thing is that after spending hours filling out piles of forms, the insurance companies will deny coverage. Health care reform can't come soon enough.
The ups and downs of life. Sometimes the downs really stink! So sorry for you friends. I'm sure that's not how they had planned on spending their life, with him having a major disability.
It must have been great to see your other friends! You know those little ones do grow like weeds!
Sometimes life just sucks! We have all these plans for our future and in a matter of seconds things can be turned completely inside out. I hate that they are having so much trouble. There are people who will help with insurance claims. I don't know of any personally but have heard that there are people who will take all your bills, file the claims and even fight with the companies. Wish she could find someone to help her out.
Life sucks sometimes. I bet your visit meant far more to your friends than you will ever know. Trust me on that one!
God, thank you for the "Di's" in this world!!
Di...thank you for writing that. We think SO much alike! I keep my mouth shut as I don't know how to put things as neatly and nicely as you do and end up deleting the entire thing because I have...um..ranted! Thank you! My family is suffering so much because of this. I won't even go into it! The ones that need insurance most, don't have it and cannot afford it.
I am fine! Always have been, but so many are not..and it makes me crazy!!
I am so happy you took the time to stop by and touch bases with them. I hope they never lose you as a friend. EVER!
Many hugs!
Mona
You have to know that you were a bright spot in an otherwise series of dreary days.
Hope the trip improves.
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