Waiting Well
Sunday, February 8th, 2009We wait in all kinds of ways, in every kind of place. We wait on hold on the phone. We wait for buses. We wait in lines. We wait at appointments.
I took my friend to a doctor’s appointment last week. We waited three hours. Okay. It wasn’t three hours, it was only an hour and a half. But clearly, to many people there, the wait felt interminably long. My friend and I met some new friends.
One great fun woman asked if the chair next to us was taken. “No!” I said, “Of course not! We’ve been saving it for you!” Obviously kind, our new friend made some small talk with a lady that didn’t seem very happy that her family had come to visit her. “All my brothers and sisters came to visit me. And the plane was late.” Said so dryly, with a roll of her eyes and a flip of her hand that it pitched me into a fit of giggles. I’d just recently watched this clip:
http://barefootmeg.multiply.com/video/item/56
I had to leave for a moment. Collect myself, wait outside
“Look at that guy,” I whispered to my friend, “He’s going to explode.” He was sitting on the edge of his seat, leaning over the two chairs in front of him. He did not look happy, and was taking up more than his fair share of space in the room. He moved soon after, to the front of the room. “He’s sitting there because he’s going to grab a doctor as soon as he sees one. Right by the knees.” My friend said. And another round of laughing.
I complimented a lady on her glasses, purple and trendy and looking great with her hair, and I complimented another lady on her coat. Long, leather, laced up the back and incredibly classy. I met a carpenter and his wife, who owns a restaurant and works long hours. I noticed how very lovingly he looked at her. Then she left and came back with coffee and a muffin for him. I noticed another woman glaring at his food. Probably someone not allowed to eat that day! I had a conversation about the health care system in Canada and the documentary movie “Sicko.” I handed out a couple of business cards. I hope those folks will get in touch after they read this!
Whenever I wait, I meet people. I talk, I hear stories and absorb them, I laugh, to myself and with others. Waiting doesn’t have to be a waste of time. If you’re reading this, leave me a comment…. and tell me a good waiting story if you’ve got one.
Click here to see my friend’s follow up!