Small Mercies

I was sitting in my gown, talking with Mike as we waited for the surgeon to return.  It was nice to have him with me.  He sat there clutching my clothing as if it were a teddy bear.

“You can put that in the chair,” I suggested.

“Nah, it gives me comfort,” he said and smiled.

I grinned back.  This might be nothing, but it also might be serious.  All we had at the moment was each other.

“Do me a favor,” I said. “If this turns out to be serious and you find yourself on your own again, please don’t marry someone twenty or more years younger than yourself.  That’s so cliché.”

He laughed.  “Honey, I don’t have that kind of money.”

I gave him a look.  “It’s not always about money.  Just keep it in a ten year bracket.”  We’ve witnessed several public mid-life crisis, seemingly always ending up in marriage to someone significantly younger.  And while I honestly hope for the best for all involved (including, and possibly especially, for former spouses) it is often not a rosy picture after a few short years.

But the surgeon came back and our conversation was cut short.  I was in this examining room because of a small lump in my left breast.  Upon examination and looking at the x-ray, she said, “It’s very close to the surface and if you don’t want to wait I can take it out today.  We can get it down to the lab right away for examination.”

We were little stunned and it took a moment to register.  This was supposed to be a brief consultation and to schedule a biopsy.  This was great news.  “Let’s do it!”

So the lump is out and on the way to the lab.

We are thankful for this small mercy.