Day 31 11/15/08
Time to go home.
There were times during the last month when it seemed like I never would be saying that, but here it is, and it seems like I got here last night. I have had a somewhat frustrating day, but that pales in comparison to how much I have gained physically and to the fact that I am going home.
I spent another 3 hours on my feet shopping. I hated that before the ataxia. I didn’t get what I wanted, but I was able to cover everybody. I lost my bank card, and can’t tell my bank to cancel it. My arrival home has been delayed 3 hours, ruining my plans for dinner with my family. And it doesn’t matter. It’s interesting how a life changing disease can put things in perspective. Healthy people are always saying, “don’t sweat the small stuff” and, “stop and smell the roses”. But they often don’t follow through. I know I didn’t. So far, for the most part, I have been able to. We’ll see how long it lasts. During most of my life, I wasn’t a very patient person. Ataxia forces you to be patient, or you go crazy, not to mention fall down a lot. I’m not trying to say I’m perfect at it. Gandhi I’m not. But I’m certainly better than I used to be.
By the time I got back from shopping with Jack, it was about 6:30 and I had made him delay his dinner date. I wanted to help him pay for dinner. In fact, I really pushed it. Once again, he smiled and refused it. When I realized I was making him uncomfortable, I backed off. In the states most people have their hand out, expecting a tip. Here, if you offer, they generally smile and shake their heads.
It was too late to order dinner, but I still had some stuff, so I went to wash my dishes, and was invited to a pot luck dinner, even though I didn’t have a pot. About a dozen of us sat around the table, and I thoroughly enjoyed my last meal in Qingdao. Finally, it was time for goodbyes. They were bittersweet, particularly when Jessica and her mom Dannie got a bit teary eyed. Then I went to say goodbye to my sweet Sophia, and then I went to my room, packed, and wrote this. It’s 1 AM now, so I’ll leave the progress report for another day. I’ve tried to add to this everyday, but in the transition to home, I’ll probably miss a few days. But (with apologies to Arnold Schwarzenegger) I’ll be back.
5 comments November 16th, 2008
