Layla's space

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world.

Monday, December 01, 2008

To someone I never knew

I met you three times. I spoke to you once since then.

You were professional, and seemed wise beyond your years. You were efficient, and explained the process clearly and compassionately.

When the day finally came, you were there. Sombre, and wholly appropriately dressed, with an appropriate expression. You followed us in one of the appropriately sombre cars.

When we entered the chapel, I heard the music for the first time as it was meant to be heard - aloud, across a large space. Suddenly there were people turning to look at me, kindly, but wondering when I would lose it. I could feel their curiosity, compassionate though it was. At the end of the aisle was her coffin, covered in flowers. Stark.

Suddenly I was unbearably, baldly, nakedly in that moment. Suddenly I knew exactly where I was, why I was there, and what I would have to do in front of all these people. I turned around, whether deliberately to look at you, or to escape, I don't know. But I turned, and you were right behind me. You caught my panicked expression and held my gaze. It took a split second, but I knew you understood exactly how I felt in that awful reality-check moment, as my world shattered around my ears for the second time. You looked at me, and you just knew. You looked at me, you nodded, and you said 'Okay?'. That's it. With that single word, and that look, I was suddenly strong again. I walked dry-eyed to the front and listened to the rest of her music. I stood before my family, her friends and my friends and I spoke about her, about who she is and was and what she meant, and I didn't cry, I didn't lose it, I stood up straight and told them.

That was because of you. You didn't know it, and now you're gone too. Younger than me, and you're gone.

I can't think what else to say, except, belatedly, thank you. Far, far too late, thank you for what you did for me and for so many others. I hope, when your loved ones are walking down that hideous aisle toward your coffin, that they have someone behind them to catch their eye and ask, 'Okay?'.

RIP ADG.

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

your blog is wicked, please update

cheers

January 29, 2009 2:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi layla, i was wondering if you could tell me how a surgeons life is in terms of social life? do they have enough time for family? what are the typical working hours? also why are some surgeons so arrogant?

cheers

February 02, 2009 2:23 PM  
Blogger Layla said...

Anon 1 - glad you like it. Will update as soon as I have an original idea (or when I'm really pissed off about something, which will most likely happen first).

Anon 2 - I'm not a surgeon, so couldn't really answer your questions from a personal perspective. I have come across some arrogant surgeons but there are plenty of equally arrogant physicians about, believe me! I don't know of any surgical blogs off the top of my head but have a look around and I'm sure you'll find some good ones, the authors of which could better answer your queries.

February 03, 2009 10:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi, please update! your posts are v.fun to read :-)

March 05, 2009 10:22 PM  

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