A few months back, I went with my roomie to the doctor's office. While she was in her appointment, I killed time on her iPod touch. It took forever to type, but here's what I left with:
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As I sit here in this pale green and grey waiting room, I'm wondering how much longer it will be. Not how much longer until my friend comes out, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't wondering that too. No, I'm wondering how long until I'm one of them. I glance around the room and see the employees all dressed in their brightly colored scrubs. In such light clothing, how can they keep warm in this prison of dated wallpaper and frigid air conditioning?
"Is it five yet?" one of the employees asks the other "I have errands to run and cleaning to do yet tonight." Work, errands, and chores--such is life.
But, is that it? Is that all there is to my life? Why go to college only to meet so dull and typical a fate?
I look up from my friend's iPod. An elderly lady is walking in, using a cane to support her. "How is your MS treating you these days?" one of the employees asks with a half sincere smile. Finally, a brief ray of warmth in this stone cold confine.
Over the sound of my stomach rumbling, I hear her reply: "oh, I'm not as I used to be, but I'm getting by." I glance at my watch. It's nearly dinner time now. I've been waiting for nearly an hour. One hour of this cold, negative existence, with this electronic device as my only friend.
"Ten minutes left." the employee tells her coworker. Slipping through the center of the hour glass--that's how these jobs call one to live life.
An employee dials a number on her cell phone. "Hi hon I'll be there to pick you up in about fifteen minutes so be ready. Mm hm"
Ugh. More obligations an living by the clock. I feel like barfing.
"Ok just be by the door this time." she continued, "I love you. Bye"
There. That's it! She said it!
I glance up to see the lady with MS greeted by an elderly man and a little girl. "grandma!" the little girl ran into her grandma's arms with obvious excitement and love in her eagerness. "Careful now," the grandpa warned "your grandma's muscles aren't as strong as they used to be."
"oh come now" the frail elderly lady smiled as she engulfed her bouncy granddaughter in a hug.
There it is again! That's why!
Like the woman on the phone said to her child--love. That's why they spend their days in this cold greyness. This doctors waiting room may feel like a prison, but if it is, it is a prison of love, and staying here is one of the freest choices these employees have ever made. These people love.
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