a hitch in the rhythm

During my first stay in the hospital I avoided having any guests who are not family. Especially during my recovery. My leg muscles had atrophied, had a very difficult time walking and I did not want anyone to see me in that state. I was released and began working on building up the muscles when I had trouble walking and ended up starting my second go-round at a different hospital. That’s the growth I had on my spine. I was disabled before I even step foot in the hospital. Again, I wanted no part of having visitors. I was in a very black place because of the entire hospital/insurance bullshit. I finally made it into spinal cord rehab and had some visitors. Eddie Da Painting Guy showed up with Tony Beer. Dolla' Bill came with Mothership Nuke'em. And of course Da Younga Sista came about every other day. The difference between her and the boys was I invited her lol. The others showed up unexpectedly. I was not going to have visitors until I was home and settled in.

The most persistent about visiting, by a long shot, was Dr. Watson. We had arranged to meet up last week but he felt ill. We rescheduled for yesterday and when texting he asked if his brother Bradford could come with. The three of us attended high school together in the very early 1980s and I have not seen Bradford since. Jeff had told me he had a decade of Parkinson’s behind him and it really kicked his ass. Erica and I went downstairs to grab a soda from the machine and wait in the lobby for the boys. 15 minutes later we saw them walking through the parking lot. Bradford had lost some hair and what was left was gray. As I spoke with him it dawned on me I wasn’t shocked by his appearance because he had Parkinson’s but because I had not laid eyes on him in 42 years. I always forget that as I’m aging so is everyone around me. The downside is none of them are aging as gracefully as I am. Clearly I’m just kidding. I turned 60 this year and while I would never be confused for an 18 year old I do not look like a traditional 60 year old man. We sat in the lobby and talked for over two hours, laughing our asses off. It was great to see The Good Doctor and even better to see Bradford. Jeff said it was one of his “good days”. I think I may start letting some of Da Park park people come and visit for a while. Seeing someone that you love and laughing with them is medicine like no other.

Here is Jeff and I mugging for the camera. Even goofing off we both look better than anyone you work with lol