A Story

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour
before someone would to able to see him.

I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.
He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought,
'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

Oh No! Snow!

We am supposed to leave for California today! But it snowed--and is still snowing! The highway reports are not good, so we'll try again tomorrow....

Next Week: New Postage Rates

New carrier rates will be in effect January 2, 2011 for USPS and January 3, 2011 for UPS. Once in effect, rates in the Shipping Calculator, eBay labels, and PayPal labels will be updated. Make sure your shipping costs reflect these new rates.

Word History

My friend Vern posted this on Facebook today:

I love language trivia. Here are a few things I have picked up over the years regarding the origin of terms, and how they have become a part of our everyday vernacular.

1- "The Whole Nine Yards" : During World War II the heavy bombers over Europe were armed with .50 cailber heavy machine guns. A bandolier of ammo for these guns was nine yards long. If you shot a whole bandolier at the same enemy fighter that was called giving them "The Whole Nine Yards"

2- "Hooker" : In early colonial New York City most of the prostitutes hung out down on the waterfront on "Hook" street. Therefore the ladies walking that street became know as "Hookers"

3- "Rule of Thumb" : This one is kind of sinister. Apparently back in medieval times it was socially acceptable for a man to beat his wife as long as the device he used was no bigger in diameter than his thumb. Hence the term "Rule of Thumb"