K overheard me talking to another nurse who was asking me if i want extra guacamole on my burrito. although the guacamole sounded great, i didn’t have the extra 1.40 to pay for it, so i said “no thanks, i only have 5 bucks.”

“May, May!” K’s voice sounded urgent, and at first it sort of annoyed me. i was just with him a few minutes ago, and i was wondering what he needed that was so urgent, that he had to interrupt me in the middle of checking my other patient (whose bed was just next to his), and while i was talking to another nurse.

i told him i will be with him shortly. the nurse who was asking for the dinner order asked for the second time just to confirm that i didn’t want the extra guacamole.

“May, May!” he hollered again.

impatiently, i told my other patient that i’ll be back, because i have to attend to K. i pulled the curtain and asked him what he needed. it was all professional and to the point, sans the usual tone of being nice.

“i have extra money here May, you should get that extra guacamole.”

i thanked him a few times and graciously declined his offer. i told him he didn’t have to do it.

“well, you take care of me, it’s the least i can do.”

to say that i was embarassed with the way i reacted to his urgent calls would be a major understatement. there are certain situations that put one’s thoughts in the right perspective, and this is one of those situations. after the guilt, i got really sappy. i know it’s no big deal, but it’s not everyday that i get to have patients who want to get me that extra guacamole.

by the way, on a totally unrelated thought, there is something good about believing that old saying “age is JUST a number”. if you believe it, even if you are 38, you can still feel 25.

so yeah, i just turned 38 yesterday, and with all honesty, i still feel like i am 25. even if the mirror is trying very hard to convince me otherwise, i still stand to my belief. and i will stubbornly continue to, until they give me that senior citizen card.

and lastly, as i tell everyone at work…i will continue to accept birthday gifts till december. cash is preferred, but if you are one of those kinds who think giving cash is tacky, i am always open for whatever it is that you have in mind. except snakes, i don’t like snakes.

just kidding.
not about the snakes, but about the presents :)