I want to give my 'classmate' a real face...I am ashamed of how I saw her in my mind's eye when we met...I saw someone draining the system, probably no insurance...with a tough looking daughter and a councilor provided by our tax dollars...when she complained about how hard it was to quit smoking, I forgot what a struggle it was for Bob and I to quit 25 years ago...and we had no extra money for smoking either...I, of all people, should understand addiction.
When the class was over and I went out to the waiting room....she came in, saw me and came over and sat down next to me. I looked at her close up and felt my tough old heart melting. She asked about the kindle I was holding ... I showed her how to use it and she listened like an excited child. She told me she had learning problems and that was why she had a councilor...I told her I was glad she had a councilor, and I was....I reassured her that the people here were kind and they would take good care of her. In my heart I knew her chances are very slim...she is dying...and that 'tough' looking young girl will be left 'motherless'... it's a hard life.
She asked if kindles were expense...I said I didn't know because it was a gift from one of my sons. She exclaimed, "You're so lucky. I wish I had a son like that!"
I am so lucky..so very lucky...and that little woman doesn't need me judging her...she has a rough enough time...and I'm sorry I looked down on her at first...but I have to admit that when she asked if her donor smoking dope was OK...and he nearly falling off his chair..I had to laugh..can't help it...'that right there, that's funny!"
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