Tuesday, December 02, 2003
What a day it has been!
My morning started on a horrible note.
I was waiting for the subway in Times Square, when suddenly a young man standing near me started convulsing and fell to the ground. He landed inches away from the subway tracks and to my horror, he landed directly on his face. People started to back away from him and I heard a few people shout for an ambulance. I stared at this man and watched blood ooze from the side of his head and then…he began to pee himself.
At first I was just scared that this was happening in front of me. I didn’t know what to do or how to help. Immediately some policemen ran over to him and made everyone back away. I heard one of the cops say “He has a medic alert bracelet on”. The man just laid there, blood and urine surrounding his body. After a minute or two, the man began to wake up and he tried to stand. The cops helped him to his feet and I heard him say that he “had to go”. His entire head was scraped and bleeding and the front of his pants were soaking wet. A second or two later, paramedics arrived and had him lay down on a stretcher. I, along with a crowd of people watched as they began to carry him out of the station. Tears filled my eyes and I boarded the next train.
When I got to work, I was pretty shaken up. I called my mom immediately to tell her what happened. Unfortunately she wasn’t there, so I decided to go outside to calm myself down. When I returned to my desk, the phone rang and I relayed the story to my mom. I was crying and explained that I was most upset because the scene reminded me of my friend, Rita, who has been known to pass out due to epilepsy-type seizures. I couldn’t stop thinking that it could have been her. It brings me to tears even as I write this.
When I was finished telling her what happened, my mom said “I have news that may cheer you up”. She then began to tell me that my brother, Winfield, got word that he could be coming home in January for a visit! Now, nothing is definite yet, and the ARMY has a way of saying one thing and doing another, but this is the news that all of us have been waiting for! From what my mom said, my brother should get two weeks off in mid-January to come home to the States. After his visit is over, he will have to return to Baghdad until the end of April, early May.
My parents are bouncing off the walls and deep down that is how I feel too. I am trying to stay realistic about it and not get my hopes up. But if he really could come home…it would make all of us feel so much better. We need the pick me up, especially during the holiday season.
So keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming. Winfield may be coming home in January!!
Other than that…Ari is out sick with Acute bronchitis and some sort of asthma related illness. I feel horrible for her. And also horrible for myself. The other Administrative Assistant, Michelle, called out today too and I have been not only doing my own work, but both of their work as well. Ari, I can understand and feel grateful that I can cover for her. Michelle of doom…well…Michelle of doom is taking the number one slot on my shit list. Come to work sometimes why don’t you?
Lastly, Paul and I had a very honest and open talk about “us”. Afterwards, I felt so much better about a lot of the issues that we are dealing with. Truth is, no matter how much I get hurt or feel slighted by him, I am seriously in love with the kid. I want to be his rock, his best friend, and his lover. I want to be his boy. It’s confusing and frustrating, and sometimes, it’s wonderful. But either way, it’s a journey that I am happy to be taking.
After our talk, Paul gave me a gift, which NEVER happens. It was a $120 outfit that he bought for me during his day off. I opened the boxes to find a pair of beautiful slacks and a very hip button down shirt. I tried both on and unfortunately, Paul thinks that I have the biggest ass on the planet. (size 36 waist?!?! Since WHEN?!?!) The pants are fly and I am going to exchange them for the appropriate size when we go to the store this weekend. The card he wrote to accompany the present was the best part of the whole gift. I will save it forever.
Other than that, the guy I hung out with this weekend sent me flowers. I had to write him an email this morning explaining that while I love the flowers and the thought that went into it, I am still involved in a relationship that I want to be in. Mark doesn’t want to get mixed up with me. There is nothing but hurt waiting for him at the end of this whole thing. He hasn’t written me back since.
Ah well…
What a day, huh
My morning started on a horrible note.
I was waiting for the subway in Times Square, when suddenly a young man standing near me started convulsing and fell to the ground. He landed inches away from the subway tracks and to my horror, he landed directly on his face. People started to back away from him and I heard a few people shout for an ambulance. I stared at this man and watched blood ooze from the side of his head and then…he began to pee himself.
At first I was just scared that this was happening in front of me. I didn’t know what to do or how to help. Immediately some policemen ran over to him and made everyone back away. I heard one of the cops say “He has a medic alert bracelet on”. The man just laid there, blood and urine surrounding his body. After a minute or two, the man began to wake up and he tried to stand. The cops helped him to his feet and I heard him say that he “had to go”. His entire head was scraped and bleeding and the front of his pants were soaking wet. A second or two later, paramedics arrived and had him lay down on a stretcher. I, along with a crowd of people watched as they began to carry him out of the station. Tears filled my eyes and I boarded the next train.
When I got to work, I was pretty shaken up. I called my mom immediately to tell her what happened. Unfortunately she wasn’t there, so I decided to go outside to calm myself down. When I returned to my desk, the phone rang and I relayed the story to my mom. I was crying and explained that I was most upset because the scene reminded me of my friend, Rita, who has been known to pass out due to epilepsy-type seizures. I couldn’t stop thinking that it could have been her. It brings me to tears even as I write this.
When I was finished telling her what happened, my mom said “I have news that may cheer you up”. She then began to tell me that my brother, Winfield, got word that he could be coming home in January for a visit! Now, nothing is definite yet, and the ARMY has a way of saying one thing and doing another, but this is the news that all of us have been waiting for! From what my mom said, my brother should get two weeks off in mid-January to come home to the States. After his visit is over, he will have to return to Baghdad until the end of April, early May.
My parents are bouncing off the walls and deep down that is how I feel too. I am trying to stay realistic about it and not get my hopes up. But if he really could come home…it would make all of us feel so much better. We need the pick me up, especially during the holiday season.
So keep your fingers crossed and the prayers coming. Winfield may be coming home in January!!
Other than that…Ari is out sick with Acute bronchitis and some sort of asthma related illness. I feel horrible for her. And also horrible for myself. The other Administrative Assistant, Michelle, called out today too and I have been not only doing my own work, but both of their work as well. Ari, I can understand and feel grateful that I can cover for her. Michelle of doom…well…Michelle of doom is taking the number one slot on my shit list. Come to work sometimes why don’t you?
Lastly, Paul and I had a very honest and open talk about “us”. Afterwards, I felt so much better about a lot of the issues that we are dealing with. Truth is, no matter how much I get hurt or feel slighted by him, I am seriously in love with the kid. I want to be his rock, his best friend, and his lover. I want to be his boy. It’s confusing and frustrating, and sometimes, it’s wonderful. But either way, it’s a journey that I am happy to be taking.
After our talk, Paul gave me a gift, which NEVER happens. It was a $120 outfit that he bought for me during his day off. I opened the boxes to find a pair of beautiful slacks and a very hip button down shirt. I tried both on and unfortunately, Paul thinks that I have the biggest ass on the planet. (size 36 waist?!?! Since WHEN?!?!) The pants are fly and I am going to exchange them for the appropriate size when we go to the store this weekend. The card he wrote to accompany the present was the best part of the whole gift. I will save it forever.
Other than that, the guy I hung out with this weekend sent me flowers. I had to write him an email this morning explaining that while I love the flowers and the thought that went into it, I am still involved in a relationship that I want to be in. Mark doesn’t want to get mixed up with me. There is nothing but hurt waiting for him at the end of this whole thing. He hasn’t written me back since.
Ah well…
What a day, huh
