Gather 'round the campfire, kids.
We're going to hear a story and sing a song.
First, some context.
Ms. Conroy (AKA "Nurse Jane Fuzzy-Wuzzy, AKA "The Abbess of All Anamchara"), had a non-life threatening illness which required a trip to the Emergency Room for medication, hydration and diagnostic tests.
All's well that ends well and this did. So, now we can tell the story and laugh.
Oh, I also need to tell you that Bill, our dear friend and brother, sure and true, took Ms. Conroy to the ER. And, that Bill, who is Irish and a member of God's Rainbow Tribe, as well as a life professed member of the Anamachara Fellowship, frequently wears kilts.
Kilts. You know. Celtic skirts for men. Has 'em in all different colors and plaids. Wears 'em with working boots and a T-shirt. Wears 'em everywhere. (No, I have no idea what he wears under the kilt.)
He lives here in Lower, Slower Delaware. That would be Sussex County, DE. The only one of three counties to vote for Christine ("I'm-not-a-witch") O'Donnell.
You might say he's making a statement.
So, here's the story:
Ms. Conroy is in the ER and the Admitting Nurse (ERAN) says to her
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| Nurse Jane Fuzzy-Wuzzy |
Ms. C: "Yes."
ERAN: "And, the name of your . . . (pause, first clue) . . . spouse?"
Ms. C: "Elizabeth Kaeton"
ERAN: (inhaling anxiety, exhaling) "Okaaay . . ."
Translation: "No, it's not okay, but okay, I'm a professional. I can deal with this. Okay."
ERAN: "And, is . . . (slight pause) . . . she here?"
Ms. C: "No."
ERAN: "Did someone drive you here?"
Ms. C: "Yes. My brother, Bill."
ERAN: "And, is he still here?"
Ms. C: "Yes. He's right there. Around the corner. He's the guy in the skirt."
ERAN: Dissolves into laughter, pulls herself together quickly, says, "I'm sorry. (Giggle) I'm sorry. (Giggle) Ahem, I'm so sorry."
Ms. C: "Its okay. It's a brave new world."
ERAN: "Yes, it's a lot to get used to in such a short time."
Ms. C: "Yes, yes.... since June . . . But, just imagine OUR adjustment."
ERAN: (Looking perplexed) "I'm sorry . . .?"
Ms. C: "I mean, look at it from the other side of this issue. You know, my side."
ERAN: (Looking perplexed) "How do you mean?"
Ms. C: "Well, you know. Finally getting respect and decency after all these years. For us, it's almost 38 years of being together . . . with six kids . . . and, you know . . . . five grandchildren."
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| Anamchara Fellowship Gathering 2013 |
Ms. Conroy: (Smiles) "Could I have that pain med soon?"
ERNA: "Yes, yes, of course . . ."
Angels sing: "AH -le-lu-ya! AH -le -lu-ya! Ah-le-lu-ya! Alleluia! AH-le-lu-YA!"
Light dawns on Marble Head!
Okay, this is where we gather round the campfire, boys and girls, and together, let us sing . . . .
It only takes a spark, to get a fire going.Pass it on, friends. Pass it on.
And soon all those around, can warm up to it's glowing.
Chorus:
That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it, it's fresh like spring, you want to sing, you want to pass it on.
Step by step.
Spark by spark.
16 comments:
LOVE this, Elizabeth. One spark at a time, yes?
That's how the fire starts. Or, so I'm told.
"He's the guy in the skirt."
Ahem, a kilt is NOT a skirt. A kilt is a KILT. [You're getting my Scots Up! And, you've inspired me to get my Scotch up---Belly Up! ;-)]
Ms Conroy is a far better person than I. If I was in pain, and thought I was getting "No, it's not OK" 'tude, I'd probably soon be adding the pain of face-colliding-with-my-hand (and I'd be lucky if the jail infirmary treated either pain!).
I once experienced this when being interviewed before a medical procedure:
Nurse: is there any chance you can be pregnant?
Me: No
Nurse: Do you still menstruate?
Me: Yes
Nurse: Are you sexually active?
Me: Yes.
Nurse: What kind of birth control do you use?
Me: None.
Nurse: Have you had any of your female organs removed?
Me: No.
Nurse (now rather exasperated): Is there ANY chance you may be pregnant?
Me: No.
Nurse: But you still get your period?
Me: Yes.
The nurse then actually went through the entire list of questions again.
Nurse: Well, you are going to have to take a pregnancy test.
Me: There is seriously NO chance I could be pregnant but okay. Can you send the results to my partner in case she had any doubts?
Nurse: no response.
Granted, that was a number of years ago. Now I’ve noticed that this (Catholic affiliated) hospital has actually changed their forms to include partners/spouses.
Progress.
I do hope that Ms. Conroy is feeling better.
Religion is boring.
JCF - I'm sure Ms. Conroy knows the difference. I'm sure she also said it for effect. And, God knows, she got it.
8th Day. Years ago, in another galaxy far, far away, I applied for a position with the military. After the physical exam, I met with a doc who reviewed my record. He asked if I had any problem with mental illness? No. Any problem with drugs or alcohol. Nope. Any problem with homosexuality? Absolutely not.
I still love telling that story.
George - That's hardly an original thought.
A skirt is a skirt is a skirt, etc.
I tell you, we are so sensitive about using words, which have over time, become associated with one gender or another, that we cringe when that word is used for the currently wrong gender.
A garment which wraps around the waist is a skirt, pure and simple.
In ancient times, men wore skirts to work in the fields or in battle. Historians had no problem identifying those garments as skirts because by definition, that’s what they were. I don’t understand the adamant refusal of some men to identify a kilt as a type of skirt when by definition and use, that’s exactly what it is.
It’s very much like the word “gay” which prior to 1950 meant something entirely different than it does today. It used to mean “full of light-heartedness and merriment”, but nowadays that meaning has fallen to number two while number one says “related to sexual attraction or activity among members of the same sex”. So, just as some have removed the word “skirt” when referring to male attire, we have reserved the word “gay” for homosexuals.
I really think that men who are so concerned what others may think of them, should go out, buy a “skirt”, and have a “gay” old time.
Don’t you think it’s time we stopped using language to pigeon-hole ourselves.
Some of the definitions currently available.
1 sense:
1. a knee-length pleated tartan skirt worn by men as part of the traditional dress in the Highlands of northern Scotland
Kilt: noun
1. Any short, pleated skirt, especially a tartan wraparound, as that worn by men in the Scottish Highlands.
2. To draw or tuck up, as the skirt, about oneself.
3. To provide (a skirt) with kilt pleats.
I can always count on you to .... "set us straight". If you wear a kilt (and you do) and you call it a skirt, that's your prerogative. Bless you!
Hope Ms. Conroy is on the continued mend. Skirt or no.
She's on the mend. Thanks be to God.
Is your church still declining or have you started to turn it around?
Hi, George! Gee, given the disdain I know you have for my church, I'm flattered that you have enough interest to ask the question.
Oh, Lord, I somehow missed this post back when it aired. I am still laughing. Just imagine how much fun we could have had if I could have been there playing the redneck cousin who knows the big medical words...
It would have been a hoot, Doc.
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