Wit and Wisdom by Beth Broderick “Mom, why are you hitting me?” I always tried to reason with her: “I am trying to help you.… Come on, Mama, we can do this.” We were trying to make one of her recipes for Easter dinner with the girls. She did not have dementia, but her COPD was very advanced, and she was not getting enough oxygen to her brain. She had confused the lime jello recipe with a canned cranberry concoction. I was trying to help her sort it out. The goal was to fill the green gelatinous goo with nuts and pineapple and cottage cheese. Yes. I agree. Ewwwww. Like I said it was
This is the day, I kept saying all last week. Beth is in town, it's our turn to host dinner, and we're going to catch up since our wedding (God knows that was a whirlwind). Third bout of Covid just over (even though I've been a good inoculated boy) and WHAM! hit with a head cold (at least I think that's it). So, not this time Beth. But I'm comforted knowing you'll have my handsome and always entertaining husband to relate even finer details of your renewed LA life, adding to the pleasure I've had reading some of them here all year.
Health insurance coverage sucks in this country - your experience I bet being a microcosm of millions of Americans' experiences and sufferings. Thankfully ARPA passage with subsidized premium bennies has kickstarted ObamaCare (do I dare mention the moniker here?) and may be something to look into for you? At 67 I can afford my Medicare + Supplemental + Drug coverage premiums (I mean, right there it sounds like a poop-show). I know I'm a fortunate son.
Continue to fight all the good fights both here and in the moments. I'll be reading or listening. I'm a fan!
So true. What is happening all around us these days is enough to drive a crazy person sane. This is a ride I do not wish to take. If we are to believe that our policy makers (whether politician, CEO or board chairperson) are all sane, then sanity must surely be overrated. Having to navigate the very real consequences of their follies has left many of us uncertain of our future and well…Angry. I might have written the entire word in all CAPS, but my 2 glasses of wine have mellowed my indignation, for the moment, anyway.
I understand why you “don’t like feeling mad.” Anger can be an all-consuming fiend, daring us to react with harpoons when toothpicks would do. Even so, when properly channeled and employed in the aid of others, as yours appears to be, anger can sometimes be useful. And sometimes, it just bites.
Then, there is this whole aging thing. 70 is merely a fading apparition in my rearview mirror. 75 looms ever closer, a persistent stalker whose presence I will one day gratefully embrace. One day!
You write,“ If you are 65 and older, it has been decided that nothing counts.” Given the situation to which you refer, this is sadly true. But you never leave us with dismal outlook. Rather, through your entertaining and inspiring posts, you remind us of what will always count regardless of age.
It counts that despite “having been exposed to relentless rage for decades…” you chose a brighter path for yourself, helping others in the process.
It counts that no matter the number of ridiculous challenges imposed by apathetic rule makers, you determine to not only find your way through but also find ways to give back.
It counts that you are willing to speak of things we are “not supposed to speak of.”
It counts that in the middle of all the “crazy,” you repeatedly, decisively declare “On we go…” for this is what hope looks like.
Please forgive the lengthy comment. Perhaps I should have stopped with just the 2 glasses of wine.
SAG health care has been awful for years. It should be shouted from the roof tops by everyone! So thanks for this. As for me was so glad to get on Medicare and Kaiser. No battles with Sag, low copays and excellent care. Good luck!
All I have to say is “all the hugs “ because it sucks having been there myself working with insurance that only covers care within my hospital. Even more I unfortunately see this every freaking day with my patients and it’s gut wrenching and soul crushing for everyone involved. No one should work hard and put every fiber into their career only to experience medical insecuritiesyy, extreme. Debt and obstacles. I can only hope it changes in my life time and we catch up with the rest of the world.
This is the day, I kept saying all last week. Beth is in town, it's our turn to host dinner, and we're going to catch up since our wedding (God knows that was a whirlwind). Third bout of Covid just over (even though I've been a good inoculated boy) and WHAM! hit with a head cold (at least I think that's it). So, not this time Beth. But I'm comforted knowing you'll have my handsome and always entertaining husband to relate even finer details of your renewed LA life, adding to the pleasure I've had reading some of them here all year.
Health insurance coverage sucks in this country - your experience I bet being a microcosm of millions of Americans' experiences and sufferings. Thankfully ARPA passage with subsidized premium bennies has kickstarted ObamaCare (do I dare mention the moniker here?) and may be something to look into for you? At 67 I can afford my Medicare + Supplemental + Drug coverage premiums (I mean, right there it sounds like a poop-show). I know I'm a fortunate son.
Continue to fight all the good fights both here and in the moments. I'll be reading or listening. I'm a fan!
So true. What is happening all around us these days is enough to drive a crazy person sane. This is a ride I do not wish to take. If we are to believe that our policy makers (whether politician, CEO or board chairperson) are all sane, then sanity must surely be overrated. Having to navigate the very real consequences of their follies has left many of us uncertain of our future and well…Angry. I might have written the entire word in all CAPS, but my 2 glasses of wine have mellowed my indignation, for the moment, anyway.
I understand why you “don’t like feeling mad.” Anger can be an all-consuming fiend, daring us to react with harpoons when toothpicks would do. Even so, when properly channeled and employed in the aid of others, as yours appears to be, anger can sometimes be useful. And sometimes, it just bites.
Then, there is this whole aging thing. 70 is merely a fading apparition in my rearview mirror. 75 looms ever closer, a persistent stalker whose presence I will one day gratefully embrace. One day!
You write,“ If you are 65 and older, it has been decided that nothing counts.” Given the situation to which you refer, this is sadly true. But you never leave us with dismal outlook. Rather, through your entertaining and inspiring posts, you remind us of what will always count regardless of age.
It counts that despite “having been exposed to relentless rage for decades…” you chose a brighter path for yourself, helping others in the process.
It counts that no matter the number of ridiculous challenges imposed by apathetic rule makers, you determine to not only find your way through but also find ways to give back.
It counts that you are willing to speak of things we are “not supposed to speak of.”
It counts that in the middle of all the “crazy,” you repeatedly, decisively declare “On we go…” for this is what hope looks like.
Please forgive the lengthy comment. Perhaps I should have stopped with just the 2 glasses of wine.
From a grateful recent subscriber.
SAG health care has been awful for years. It should be shouted from the roof tops by everyone! So thanks for this. As for me was so glad to get on Medicare and Kaiser. No battles with Sag, low copays and excellent care. Good luck!
All I have to say is “all the hugs “ because it sucks having been there myself working with insurance that only covers care within my hospital. Even more I unfortunately see this every freaking day with my patients and it’s gut wrenching and soul crushing for everyone involved. No one should work hard and put every fiber into their career only to experience medical insecuritiesyy, extreme. Debt and obstacles. I can only hope it changes in my life time and we catch up with the rest of the world.
Keep talking about the things you "shouldn't talk about." You are inspiring.