Things are settling down out there; the traffic is manageable, the supermarket thinning out, the New Year has arrived in Australia and is coming our way. Those of us staying home this evening are looking forward to silence and simplicity, and maybe some solitude. Those going out are preparing for a joyful evening with friends. Tomorrow when we all wake up, it will the first day of 2013 regardless of how we spent the final evening of 2012.
Most of us have planned these two days carefully for our pleasure. But not so the friend I visited today in the hospital. Tests, personal care, monitoring, medicine, all for his benefit, but clearly he’s not in charge of his New Year’s Eve plans this year. He is, however, in charge of his attitude, and he knows it. If having a positive attitude was the only criteria for dismissal, he’d be on his way home or off to a party. In fact, he’d never have ended up in the hospital in the first place.
So here’s a toast to my friend in the hospital, and to those around the globe who are not in charge of their New Year’s plans.
Most of us have planned these two days carefully for our pleasure. But not so the friend I visited today in the hospital. Tests, personal care, monitoring, medicine, all for his benefit, but clearly he’s not in charge of his New Year’s Eve plans this year. He is, however, in charge of his attitude, and he knows it. If having a positive attitude was the only criteria for dismissal, he’d be on his way home or off to a party. In fact, he’d never have ended up in the hospital in the first place.
So here’s a toast to my friend in the hospital, and to those around the globe who are not in charge of their New Year’s plans.