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Impressions & Introspections

It has been roughly 55 hours since I have finished indulging in my last pipe. Much of the time has been uneventful, for I am involved with all sorts of tasks which have required my attention (see below). It is such an odd feeling to be away from my pipes, for they have been such good friends to me all these years. I do not think I have stayed away from them for this long a time since my first affair with the pipe and the beloved leaf so many years ago.

I do miss them. But I am learning from the experience as well.

I had a rough day overall. My mother had a shocking weight gain overnight that was not anticipated. This necessitated my calling her cardiologist. I did this from work when I arrived there this morning. The cardiologist did not have any late afternoon openings and would not be in the office again until next TUESDAY. His nurse said he had a 9:30 am appointment. I had class at 11:30 which I had not yet prepared for, but I grabbed at the appointment and called my mother and told her to get ready for the trip to the doctor, and that I would be home in less than 15 minutes to pick her up.

We made it there at 9:30am (which is a task in itself as it is a challenge to change over to my mother's car (which is my late Father's last car that we have stored in our garage for her (she never drove the car)). We also have to get her oxygen tank into the car, and it is challenging to get her into the car as she is still rather weak).

We are not even CALLED INTO one of the doctor's examination rooms until after 10:30am. We then wait until roughly 11:10 before the doctor comes into the examination room. He adjusts some medication for my mother and adds a new diuretic and we are out the door at 11:20. I grit my teeth and try to remain as calm as possible. I call my secretary and ask her to put a sign on my classroom telling my students I will be 15 minutes late.

Tearing through traffic like a madman, I am able to drop my mother off and get to class ONLY 15 minutes late. I feel utterly unfocused as I have nothing prepared nor do I have any nerves left as they are completely frayed due to trying to fight traffic.

I stumble throuh the rest of the day and muddle through. It was embarassing to not be prepared. I feel like an imbecile.

Hopefully, life will improve. I have tried to keep balance.

PipeTobacco