Waiting Room

A few days ago my husband had an appointment with a counselor at the cancer center of a local hospital. The waiting room as well-lit and spacious, but still there was a sad feeling about the place. A number of old folks were waiting patiently, along with a few middle-aged people. But it was quiet except for when a name was called for an appointment.

Is that what are lives will be filled with now? Tense but quiet times in various waiting rooms, wondering what is ahead. And the other people waiting -- will some of them die early, will spouses by left to grieve soon?

I left the waiting room before my husband's appointment ended and went out to the car to wait, away from the sadness.