Heartbreaking

-

The hospital is a funky place to be now.

There’s a temperature check at the entrance with a camera that shows ME as I stand there.

Why didn’t someone tell me that I’m gray and balding.

“Take a step back,” the camera told me.

I did.

“Step back,” it read again. There was a big circle there where I assumed my forehead was supposed to be.

“Step forward.”

Bah!

I took another step and a guy there with a mask hit my head with a temperature gauge.

“Good to go.”

I stepped up in line and a large black man stepped to the counter.

“I’m here for my sister,” he said. Then his voice betrayed him. “She died this morning. Where do I go to see someone who died?”

I felt his anguish. He took an unsteady step and then a swarm of people headed toward him.

“Uncle John,” one of the younger looker members of the crew called out, and the heartbroken man stepped into about twelve arms as they reached for him.

Their cries sent my heart straight to my throat.

And I’m not sure why their loved one died so suddenly.

Was it Covid?

They moved as one to a deserted corner of the waiting room and the girl behind the desk called for me.

I couldn’t take my eyes away from that grieving family, and I thought about the thousands upon thousands who have had to say goodbye before they wanted to as this pandemic has raged on.

“I don’t really believe in any of this crap,” one guy told me, just an hour before, at a site near the hospital.

He should witness the heartbreak…

…or see the tired eyes of those working behind the hospital walls.

You don’t believe it?

Death is real.

It devastates people.

💔 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more