Trying to Even the Score

The news lately has been so depressing. It's just my nature that I take things (overly) seriously, and allow myself to be impacted pretty deeply. I've always been that way. I was really upset to see this story about that idiot Haggard. I like the way Joe presented the story here. I was also bummed to see this yesterday (another JMG reference). Yes, the response is clever, but it's depressing, too. Government sanctioned discrimination. Still? Really? It's getting old.

So I hesitate to post this because it's going to sound very self-congratulatory, but maybe it will somehow spread a little positive vibe.

This morning at the dentist I was in the waiting room trying not to hyperventilate while waiting for my appointment. Another woman was there and she had with her a girl who must have been her daughter, and about four or so kids who were maybe her grandkids. The kids were all young and loud and I honestly didn't even notice specifically how many there were because they were kind of irritating and I was wishing they weren't there. I smiled at the oldest woman (maybe in her mid-50's) and thought for just a minute how exhausting it must be to have all those kids to take care of. And then I went back to my Lamaze breathing.

Anyway, long story longer (See? I told you), the kids all had appointments but the woman didn't. She asked if they could fit her in for a check-up while the kids were being seen, and it worked out that the office had just received a cancellation. Then came this awkward discussion about insurance, and how the kids had insurance but she didn't, and she wasn't able to pay for her appointment right then. The front desk lady was nice but definitely stumped for a minute on how to handle that. They had to bring another staff member into the discussion about how to handle a client without insurance, and finally the woman asked how much the cleaning would be and if she could just take the appointment and post-date a check. The staff members discussed it and then agreed, but the whole thing was a little tense.

God, it just depressed me. I've been without money and it sucks. And the health insurance part of that is a whole 'nother problem. I'm currently in my second month of COBRA-ing my benefits, and I pay $400 a month for what used to cost me $60. I'm very thankful I can afford to do that, but I won't be able to forever, and I know even with that shitty scenario I'm one of the lucky ones. Post-dating checks and worrying about providing the basics is such a drain.

Anyway, I paid for her cleaning. I gave the billing lady my card and asked her to please, please not let the woman know who it was or that it even had happened until after I was finished and gone. Sometimes when I'm really low and feel like the bad guys are winning, someone throws me a rope and I suddenly feel like it might be ok. I hope that woman gets a rest from those crazy grandkids and I hope she feels like she's going to be ok.