Standstill

For an active person who's always busy, working and on the move, the toughest task is to be at a standstill. I've always been fairly active with whatever I do, whether it be my hobbies or work, I'm either working, experimenting, or learning. All I need to go on for 12 to 14 hours a day is some deep sleep of 4 to 6 hours, a good breakfast, and some tea or coffee. So, to sit and wait in place for countless hours, it's a very difficult thing for me.

Another thing I realized, is waiting at a hospital is probably the longest wait a person will have to go through; no other place or task comes close. A close second from my experience is probably an airport, but at least you have places to browse and check out in a nice airport, and nor do you have a mind that is filled with worry.

2024 has been quite a year, probably the most volatile and abrupt year I've experienced. The year did start well, from family, to work, to financials, but as we closed in towards the end, it turned out to be quite the opposite. I'm always excited and looking forward to the last 3 to 4 months of the year, as there's rain, the weather is cooler, and winter slowly starts to set in during December. However, this time the last quarter of the year has just been horrid; as each month passed by, they brought in more bad news and grim experiences. And now, at this point, I just can't wait for 2024 to end.

Good riddance!

The problems really started to go parabolic during October. Long story short, my father had a mini-stroke, which was an absolute shocker for us all. It happened as we closed in towards the afternoon, and luckily, I was at home that day. So, we hurried and got him to a hospital ASAP. Since we went there on time, and since he received the proper treatment during the first few hours, he's now doing well.

That day after he was fairly stable and getting some rest at the hospital, I went out to get lunch at around 9 PM. To my surprise, they had an Indulge Cafe branch present there for hospital visitors only. It had been a while since I had visited Indulge, a year exactly. I'm a fan of their desserts, they and Tabaq have some of the best desserts. The coffee at Indulge is decent, but the desserts are to die for. And that is why I decided to go there for a meal and some coffee. Unfortunately, there were no meals or sandwiches available, but I did get my hands on my favorite Cheese Tart and some coffee. So, that would have to do for that night.

As I sat there for an hour or so, I ruminated, about what went so wrong, and what sins I/we had committed to go through such a series of ill experiences.

That day the coffee I got was a regular size, but I took the most time to finish it. The cheese tart was nothing for my appetite, but I took my time to savor it. And then I wondered, how abrupt life is, and how nothing is promised, nor permanent. I tried to kill as much time as possible so that we could all finally get back home and leave all this in the past.

Alas, the night didn't end there, we had to shift to another hospital. The night was long. I sent my younger brother and mother back home, I was there with my father all night. As he rested, I kept an eye on him. It was my first time spending a night or this much time in a hospital. But, I'd gladly do it again. I didn't get any sleep that night. That day and the day after, with all the running and stress I had to go through, I too fell ill. I couldn't focus on anything for the next few days.

Fortunately, on the third day, the doctors said that we could take my father back home and that there was nothing much to worry about. And now, after just over a month, things are looking quite alright.

However, a little bit of fear still remains...