Tuesday, August 19, 2008

What a Wonderful World

I stepped out onto the sidewalk after a brutal day at the office, and before hopping on my bike, just marveled at the weather. That's what we do in Chicago when the weather is fine. We marvel. It just doesn't get any better.

And I said to myself, Why, oh why did I say NO to the ballgame? FD had an extra ticket to see the White Sox and he threw numerous hints at me that I should go, and I said, "No way, dearie, it's Monday." If it had been Tuesday, then it would have been, "No way, dearie, it's Tuesday." Just no interest in the noise, the drive down to US Cellular, the hassle to park the car.

And I'm a North Sider, a Cubs fan. FD's from St. Louis. What does he know?

So I hopped on the bike and on my way home, all of the problems of the world started crashing down. It was worse than missing a perfect night for a ballgame. It became an all-the-sick-people, all-the-sad-people, what-a-lousy-economy, when's-the-next-terrorist-attack, and damn-genocide-anyway night.

And I'm tired and hungry and there's nobody home to join me for dinner. And no energy to cook.

But I like left-overs, so it's okay.

I switched channels on my bike radio compulsively while riding and hated everything on that, too.

And then. Louis Armstrong, What a Wonderful World found its way into my consciousness from the tiny transistor speakers on the handlebars.

And at that moment, as if out of a Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance commercial, I spy a couple walking on Sacramento Avenue towards the park, probably in their seventies, him with a shock of white hair, her in sneakers and white slacks. Holding hands. And neither of them looked like they'd had any work done from my angle.

The smile's back and I flash one at a kid on his bike who isn't wearing a helmet, and tap mine as if to say, Get one. He smiles back, sheepish, I know, I know. It's what I do.

It turned into a good night, all in all. And Olympic Project Runway was pretty fabulous, so not a waste altogether. At that moment the show was much better than the games.

And when FD got home he said, "Why did I bother with that? Why? Tell me! So much noise, so much hassle. I should have stayed home with you!"

And I said, "Right, honey. You should have stayed home with me. That would have been pretty wonderful."

But he'd never have wanted to watch Project Runway. I'm pretty sure.

therapydoc

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

taggi
nice post

& a small reminder I would like to read your thaughts on cancelations
by the client and therapist

what's your handle on the matter?
when you cant make an appointment due to personal reasons how do handle the delicate situation?

thanx

Anonymous said...

The world turns on a dime 'eh, and thank goodness =)

therapydoc said...

exactly.

therapydoc said...

taggi, the quick and dirty is that you are human and sometimes can't make it to an aptmt. If I cancel last minute the pt's fee the next time is discounted, or I forego the co pay if there is one. This communicates that their time is worth money, too.

Anonymous said...

Its amazing to me how emotions can swing so quickly in one night. And it's also amazing how much the weather outside can affect our moods. Why do we live in Chicago :)?

A Living Nadneyda said...

Thanks for the reminder to just let ourselves be where we are, and be satisfied. I still haven't gotten that one down... it's a worthy goal.

Transistor on your bicycle -- I love it! (I love that you bike to work!).

ALN

therapydoc said...

This is a great biking town.

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