2002 Story Set
| February 4, 2002 My son likes to bring little gifts to the nurses. He likes the hugs. He likes the nurses. He is sweet and affectionate, when he isn't nagging me for something. Nagging and harassment is reserved for Mother. He started with those fake roses (fake because pollen is not allowed in the hospital where we go - bone marrow transplant patients can't be around flowers). And a reasonable box of truffles from See's Candies. The nurses in the Day Hospital keep their six red roses in a vase. People keep thinking that they are real. At Thanksgiving, he picked out colorful turkeys for the counters in the Day Hospital, Clinic D and 2 North, where he lived for 10 months. Big, stuffed multi-colored turkeys. They came from the grocery store. They were well-loved. They lasted through Christmas. Then, he snatched up some of the cutest stuffed frogs I have ever seen - they are chenille and plush and they hold two velvety roses in their front flippers. Cuddly. We had a purple one for the Clinic (since a nurse has been nick-named purple-top because she died her hair some strange colors), and a green one for the day hospital. But the one in the Day Hospital looked lonely so he added a red bear holding a heart, and the red bear is even cuddlier. Since there were a few birthdays, last week he made it to See's Candies and the mall. First he picked out white fake roses (to go with the red ones), including a purple-topped rose for the aforesaid nurse. And then, See's. He picked out a small box of candy with a kitten on it, for the same nurse. And wanted something for the Day Hospital and Clinic D nurses. We looked around. Talk about a kid in the candy store! And then------ We saw it. The biggest box of candy I have ever held in my hand. Takes two hands actually. A big, gold, beribboned box. Four pounds of exquisite See's chocolates. FOUR POUNDS! He was, unfortunately, or fortunately as the case may be, in his wheelchair. So he got to roll that up to the counter. Good thing! I wouldn't want to carry it very far! Of course, it's nearly Valentine's Day - so Mother HAD to have a one-pound of DARK chocolate. After all, one pound of chocolate is equal to one good ------ you women know to what I refer! This is essential since mother is manning her credit card. (Whimper, whimper.) He promises to write a check. Then See's gave out free samples. We had four. I inhaled one. The other three made it home in my purse, and were immediately split into halves and consumed. Needless to say --- he was a hit at the hospital when he made his delivery. Hugs and kisses. He just smiles. The nurses all posed for a photo or two. [Photos coming.] Including one where they were all diving into the box - and my son was among them, shirtless and accessed with chemo tubes running, his hand was still headed into the box. He got first dibs. Doctors and nurses from all over Stanford suddenly had the need to arrive in the Day Hospital. The nurses formed a guard unit around the box! My son also has 8 See's lollipops - just for himself. I stole one. Butterscotch. I am entitled. He's making me wait until Valentine's Day to open my box. Ten more days. I am working out even harder. My son is well-trained. He is perhaps unique in this. His wife will be one of the lucky ones. He knows what pleases a woman. At least as far as I can teach him! Of course this demonstrates a basic rule we women should all be aware of. If you don't want to be disappointed for Valentine's Day, your birthday, Christmas or anything else, buy your own stuff! Or, drag the child, husband, boy friend or son along to the desired store and point. And then eat it all by yourself! After all, you wouldn't want them to have high cholesterol! I didn't know about all this when I first got married. Too bad! It should be passed down from bride to bride. The instructions should come with the engagement ring! Slurp. |
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