Sitting on a park bench enjoying a warm summer afternoon... I dozed off. A little later, an elderly lady happened by and sat next to me. "Wonderful day, isn't it, young man!" "Oh yes," I replied. "An excellent afternoon indeed."
She stretched her legs, adjusted her glasses, and softly hummed a catchy tune.
In the distance, children were busy at the playground. We could just make out their shouts and laughter.
"Next week I'm gonna be 84, young man. Goes by so quick. I try to stop old man time, but he slips through my fingers all the same." I smiled at her. "Yeah, I hear ya," I softly said.
She turned, "Ya gotta lump on your tummy, don't ya know." And with both hands.... pointed at... it.
I made a big show of "discovering" this wayward bulge. Looking totally surprised, I threw up my hands, sighed, and said, "How about that!" A puzzled look crossed her weathered face. Rather than prolong the drama, I confided, "It's a stoma." "A what?" she demanded with wide eyes. "You know, a piece of intestine sticking outta my tummy."
She turned up her hearing aid. "Come again?" "Why sure," I laughed.
"It's a lifesaver. Not like candy lifesavers, mind you... but a true hero all the same." She chuckled. "Ah, such a kidder. Your mom would have been proud." Then whispered, "I'm not really here..... or there." Confused, I reached out to touch her arm, but only felt the wooden slat of the bench. With a start, I woke up. Looking around, it came to me. "Whoa, just a dream." Twilight was starting, casting long shadows on the walkway. I thought about Father Time. Forever marching forward. Ticking off the days, hours, and minutes of our short existence. I mused about my recent surgery. More time added to my scorecard. Patted my stoma and slowly headed for home.
