what do you say to a 94 year old lady

with a broken rib?

My mind was racing as I pulled Jim’s truck into the parking lot at Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital down the Harbour.

Though I’d driven by there countless times over the last fifty two years, I seldom used the parking lot.

Once for a week in the fall of 90’ when my granddad lay there dying.

Once for a visit to emerge when Laura cut the tips of one of her fingers off

Fun fact dear reader: when you have cancer and receive chemotherapy, frequently you lose feeling in your extremities. Tips of fingers become kinda useless and insensitive. This makes you clumsy and immune to pain and a great source of protein for the whole family.

This third visit was as welcome as the first two.

My nanny has taken a fall and broke a rib.

As I entered my mind raced for a joke

Don’t you think you’re a little past the whole ‘Humpty Dumpty’ thing Nanny?

Nah, then I’d have to follow up with some smart ass remark about my uncle being the king’s horses and king’s men. It didn’t work.

Or

Next time your try a backflip, make sure …