"You Picked Orange" Chapter 25.5, by SSK
or: You
Go look in the mirror. Yes. You.
And SPOILER ALERT.
(But, really, only if you've been living under a rock for six months, or, hey, I never considered this incredibly selfish aspect, you don't give a damn about him and me. I suppose it's possible. Nah. I'll cling to the rock theory. Which makes me part barnacle. Yikes, a Jewish shellfish. I presume that means if I'm ever starving to death I can't eat me. [Stephen King did that story already, long long ago. Thanks, Steve!])
Now, to the meat of the thing.
I have not once gotten so much as a snarky remark from anyone posting here, in reference to this diary, "YPO". You have all been kind, and supportive, in letting me expel this tale of the Stroke that nearly killed my husband, and me.
However.... (life would be so dull without the 'howevers', am I right?) some folk have gotten hold of my personal email addy, dunno how, but I know why: they write to tell me that I have (excuse me while I hold in my sides to keep from busting out laughing) no respect for nurses and doctors. (There's one fellow who insists that, because I am rude and not immediately respectful of medical staff, I am the worst enemy the Galapagos Tortoise has ever had. I'm still trying to decipher that, but I suspect I'd need a library of dictionaries devoted completely to mental illnesses and a board certified Psychiatrist.)
My lack of instant respect for doctors and nurses, however, is completely true. BUT, and I know I've said this before, respect, from me, must be earned. One does not walk into my life and expect me to bow down because y'alls got letters after your name.
So, perhaps, in telling the story of 'Rick', the MD who thought he was God's gift (and I did not) but later earned my respect, not by saving a woman's life, which he certainly did, but in the way he treated the RN who nearly killed that woman: I was not broad enough in my explanation of what earning respect means, to me.
I respect no one who has not earned it. I nearly always approach new people (or old people) with nice... ness. (Is that a word? It is now.) and friendliness. Respect? That's a different category of attitude. Completely different. 'Rick' earned my respect because he took the time to rectify a hideous mistake, and to give the person who made the mistake the opportunity to come back from that hideous mistake.
I wanted to tell you all who read this diary, and who write to urge me on, and comfort me, and tell me wondrous and delicious things that writers are ever so eager to hear, that I am appreciative in ways that even I, the sworn enemy of Galapgagos Tortuga, cannot adequately express.
Thank you. You make me feel brand new.