Seniority

Here's my Friday...
I get up and get my happy self to class on time. So far so good.
I know I need to do these things: Class.
Homework for 4 different subjects, all due in classroom time, next week.
Bake and decorate a cake, (*for a small fee*), for a friend's Super Bowl party - I've already got the icing whipped up.
Take my friend, Helen, a precotious 74 year old, to the Beauty Acadamy, as promised, for her appointment.
Put in my hours at the work/study job in Brook's Halll (dorm's caffeteria).
.
Everything goes off on schedule, until I pick up the Helen, for her 11 o'clock.
She wants to know if I can possibly take her to the Medical Clinic (after the hair appointment - which will take about 2 1/2 hours). She needs to get some medication from there. They will give her some 'free samples' and since she's not yet successfully negotiated the new medicare tares, snarls, and snares, she desperately needs to get these samples, while the Doc. is still willing to allow it for her. *sigh*
"OK."
Back to School... barely get cookin' with homework assignments and have to pack it in to go get the Helen.
On the way to the Clinic, Helen asks if we could possibly run by her bank - she's so grateful for the rides and favors she'd like to buy me a Wendy's lunch. . . and some gasoline too.
"OK." I say and add, "Your hair really does look lovely. They did a very good job with it today."
Off to 'mid-town' for bank then clear across town to Wendy's.
Nice lunch. Great conversation. . . although my thoughts are wondering here and there over how I'm going to get that cake baked up by the time I've gotta get to work??? ... and how ever am I gonna get all the homework done...in time for classes???
I don't want to worry Helen with those concerns, she's worried enough as it is, over the hundreds of little details that have woven themselves into her life, through the passing decades. Details which still serve to challenge the Lady, some difficulties having become ever more magnified, with every advancing year.
I tell her how much I enjoy our chats and let her know that I've shared one of her stories in a classroom experience, earlier, this semester.
While having lunch, Helen remarks how she really does need to get some things at the store and could I possibly spare some time to take her to the Dollar General and then what ever she can't find there she'll have to pick up at the grocery next door. (?)
I'm such a sucker for the elderly.
"O.K."
2 1/2 hours later and with moments to spare, before I need to be on the job - I'm driving Helen back across town to unload her and her goods at her home. She is partially disabled - paralysis in her feet, etc, etc, etc... it's hard for her to negotiate certain terrain.
There is a big black garbage bag on the dilapidated porch. Helen can't negotiate the distance from her back door to the alley way were the garbage containers live. She'd like for me to take that garbage around the corner for her.
I'd love to do it too.
But, there is no time.
This time I can't say "O.K."
I promise to come back, again, after my shift to take care of that, too.
*Sigh*
Right... never did get gased up and now I'm heading for work, while dang near running on empty.
Yet another thing to add to my list. Looks like my Saturday night is gonna be tight with me playing catch-up after work.
So much for "homework" and my little side business in "decorated cakes"...
They just don't have that much "seniority".
She's got her house dress on and "Chuck" the little dog is 'woofing' and 'Grrr-ing' protectively when she answers my firm knocks on her door, later, after my shift in the cafeterria's kitchen is through. I had over the bad of medications. She forgot them, left behind in my car seat, in the rush to unload earlier, this afternoon. "Oh!" I' ve been callling and calling you - you'll see that when you get home." She says. "I will need this medication in the morning, I'm so greatful you brought it back by!"
"And you know what else...," she says, more than she asks, "We never did get you that gas"
"I know."
"Don't worry about it."
"I'll pick you up for church on Sunday."
"We can maybe do something about it after that."=)
*one*last*heavy*sigh*
It's a privledge and a blessing to serve.
Ya know what I mean?
.
Have a great week's end everyone!
D. ~