Definition of hurry-up
My father, Charlie, used to drive us all crazy when he was waiting for something or someone outside of his home. Never was his impatience manifested as well as when he visited anything that had to do with healthcare. His demands were such that he expected instant attention and rapid movement throughout whatever system he was using and sitting with him during the process was torture, something that tarnished my appreciation of the fact that I was soon going to become an orphan and one day I would truly miss his presence. The words "Hurry up and wait" come to mind whenever I think back on the trips we made together during my mother's final years or those made after, during his. Countless murmerings under his breath, loud enough for my ears, made it clear that he was unhappy with having to wait for treatment, decisions, diagnoses or for that matter, anything that he found inconvenient. He had zero patience. Zero.
One day, a few years ago, I actually let these words fall from my innocent lips in the presence of some friends with whom I spend a lot of time..."I'm a patient person". The next few minutes were filled with giggles and rapid eye movements. "YOU?" Well, I had to explain, I can be. I'm fairly patient with people who others find totally annoying. Friend to the friendless. Womb to the tomb kind of person. I sputtered and realized how fortunate I am to have friends who, A, are honest and B, totally get me and still come around. Often.
Okay, so here it is. Full disclosure. I rarely drink tea because it takes a few minutes to brew. I don't take vitamins or for that matter, I rarely finish a course of prescription medications. Actually, I rarely even take prescription medications because I lack the patience to be a patient. New car? Does it have wheels and a steering wheel? I'll take it. New appliances, I'm a salesperson's dream.....Come in white? No bells and whistles (I'm not reading the Guide to Your New Washing Machine. Waiting on the phone to make an appointment at a doctor's office? Hey, I text my hairdresser and my facialist, and they are the only two people in my world who can get me to hunker down and enjoy an hour here and there during which I totally surrender control and never complain.
What seems like a year ago, we started working with a design group on planning an extension to our home. Living in a codo, there really isn't such an option as "an addition" but we were determined to gain more living space as a result of being so confined during the Pandemic. We made it through those days and both of us probably climbed the ladder in the patience department but we realized that we might not do as well when the next big one hits so, the plans were drawn, contractor selected, interiors chosen and then came hurry up and wait. Guess who showed up for the party? Months came and months went. Plans changed. Designers cursed us under their breaths. Friends and family asked us. We asked and we waited until finally, demolition began, less than one week before our twice-postponed trip to Italy is to happen. We leave on Monday and Charlie, our patient and trusted contractor will be filling our empty parking spaces. Charlie. Not for nothing. Charlie.
Really?
Hurry up, we're waiting!!!!!
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