There is an adage that says laughter is the best medicine. I agree. In fact, when I first penned my book, Just a Spoonful of Laughter Helps the Medicine Go Down, I used that phrase as the probable title. It was changed just before publication.

Today I had the privilege of being able to spend a little more time in an office visit with Hazel. She is a widowed 86 year old patient who is barely able to see due to macular degeneration. She comes to the office monthly for care of her numerous health issues. Most visits are short and to the point- ten to fifteen minutes, in  and out.

Today was different. Perhaps the moon was in the seventh house or Jupiter was aligned with Mars (whatever that all means) or something else went wrong, but I was able to sit with her for a half-an-hour and just listen. She told me about her marriage and separation. She told me about how she “re-dated” her husband and how she loved him and would have taken care of him for the rest of her life if things had worked out differently and he hadn’t died.

She told me what it was like to live nearly blind and dependent upon others to get around for groceries, community events, and even physician appointments. She told me of her daughter, her special grandchildren, and even an old boyfriend. She told me about what it was like living in her adult-living center and how she dreaded that she might have to move. Her money was running out due to Washington’s failure to balance the budget and the effect it is having upon the stocks and bonds she owes and depends upon to pay the rent.

When she was done, hugs were shared, tears were wiped, and hopes exchanged. She closed by just smiling from ear to ear and saying, “Thank you so much for listening.”