Visiting Hours

Hospital visits are easier to make when you know the person is going to be alright. There's no hand wringing, no pondering, no discomfort. It's just a visit to a friend in an unusual place. 

I don't mind hospitals. My mother was a nurse, my father was in and out of them when I was a child. They're a fact of life. Nothing to be scared of. Maybe being a little more aware of the rigmaroles, the smells and sounds makes it easier. They don't phase me. 

Tonight, after work, after getting home, feeding the cat and feeding myself, I went up the road to the Freemasons to visit a friend. She's going to be fine, probably going home tomorrow after being in for a few days. 

I've visited many a person at this hospital. I've sprung numerous friends from there after small and large procedures. I remember taking Blarney for burnouts in a wheelchair - because that's how I roll. 

Early in the evening, the hospital is quiet. The person at the desk gave good directions after remembering I had to call my friend by her actual name, not by what I call her. 

You follow the lines, take the slow, rickety lift, look out for the signage for where you're going. It's not that hard. 

You sit with your friend, who's frankly looking better than I thought she was going to look and have a good chat about what's going on. We watched some telly and traded a few Pokemon. 

The tea lady came in offering a hot beverage. She was lovely enough to give me a cup and a couple of biscuits in plastic wrapping (not so strangely, these are the same biscuits we get in the kitchen at work). 

Then, after about an hour, when the visiting hours are coming to an end, you bid your friend goodbye, and go in reverse, out of the ward towards the slow lift. You thank the tea lady for the decent cup of tea and for looking after your friend. You schlep your way towards the front door and head out into the cold night. 

You also remain very thankful that the friends you're visiting will be well in the end. They've been fixed up, and now the real healing begins. 

It makes going into these places just that little bit easier. 

Today's song: