First.
My Grandma recently had surgery. When she was released from the hospital, her doctor had her admitted to a rehab/recovery home. But it wasn't just for folks who were recovering--the place she's in consists of mostly long-term patients, and for some reason they stuck her in the Alzheimer's wing. You had to have a code to get out of the wing; I didn't know this until I was popping out to my car to get something for her. One particular resident, strapped down on a hospital bed, was parked next to the door. While I was fumbling with the keypad, he yelled repeatedly 'HEEY. YOOUU. GIRL. UNTIE ME. HEEY. YOOUU.' Other disoriented patients were wandering around, some were sitting, staring, drooling. My poor grandma and this crooked health care system; this is the only place in the town where she lives that it would pay for. You work your whole fucking life, pay your premiums and this is what you get.
I hope that as I age I can recognize my own deterioration and leave this world the same way Hemingway chose to. In the mean time I can only hope that grandma get home soon.
Second.
One of my cousins told me this week that he is gay. I'd always had my suspicions, but he finally came out to me.
We grew up together; outside of school, he was my best friend. When I was 13 or 14 he transferred to the school that I went to. And I ignored him. I was having a tough time fitting in as it was and he was awkward and embarrassed me. I think he saw that as treason. Our relationship fractured.
Until recently, we haven't spoken much--just the polite chit-chat at holiday get-to-gethers. My family would probably have a problem with his choice of lifestyle, and I think he thought that I would as well. It was a huge step for him to tell me and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of us. He told me the time we spent growing up together were some of the best years of his life. Now that we are beyond acceptance, I hope that we can move forward and become the close friends that we once were.
