...Caring for my sick relative, I mean.
Take, for example, the fact that it was another relative who turned out to need most of the attention.
OTHER RELATIVE (Returning home from the library): I almost passed out this morning.
ME: Are you okay? Did you call your doctor?
O.R.: No.
ME: We'd better call him!
O.R.: It's nothing.
ME: Where's your home blood pressure cuff? Take your blood pressure.
O.R. (Triumphantly): 100/55!
ME: Uh....that's kind of low.
O.R.: No it's not.
ME: Yeeees it is. I'm calling your doctor.
O.R.: No need to be hasty! I know what's causing it. I'll just start cutting my pill in half.
ME: Um, people aren't supposed to adjust their own medications...
O.R.: Yes they are.
ME (Calling pharmacist): Are people supposed to adjust their own blood pressure medicine?
PHARMACIST: Absolutely positively not.
ME (To relative): "Absolutely positively not."
O.R.: Well, that may be true for other people, but not for me.
ME: CALL! YOUR! DOCTOR!
O.R.: I know what I'll do, I'll write him a note.
ME: Hold still while I kill you.
RELATIVE WHO IS ACTUALLY SICK: Can I have some lunch?
All I can say is, it's a good thing I meditate.
(And I did say it. A lot.)
