Being Prepared

Nothing can be taken for granted.   A recent 24 hours showed me that big time.
First we got word that someone’s cancer had returned.  Then Merril did not even get to bed, and she was taking someone to the hospital who’s husband had had a turn and been taken there himself.  Brain tumour, drip, meds to counter the swelling of the brain.  Then I spoke to someone who said the doctor said they had got an infection from a catheter and they were being put on the strongest anti biotics (the doctor needed to make a phone call to write the script for these).  He would not talk about what was next if they did not work.
All in all, not a good period.  I awoke expecting the day to be like any other.  I feel that is as it should be, but I would be a fool to expect everything to go on unchanged forever.
We had delivered something for one of these people on the week-end (week-end is so negative. It should be called the strong-end.).  They were not home, but at that time there was no thought other then them taking delivery of and assembling it.  Another person is, and has been, a friend of mine for many years.  Our friendship has probably lasted so long because we do not see one another too much.  It seems guy friendships last a while and everyone moves on.  Girl friendships often seem to last a lifetime.  The other person has been a friend of mine even longer.  For the last several years they have been declaring that this was going to be a good year, and it never is.  I suggested they were ready to start book three, as their life is never dull.
What has struck me is the fragility of it all.  We guys carry on like pork chops declaring how tough we are and beating our chests (figuratively of course.  If you do that then may I respectfully suggest you already have a problem).  No wonder men tend to have a shorter life span then women with all our carry on.  When crossing over though, I don’t want to be one that says, rats, I was wrong.  It seems it is too late to do anything about it then.
Still, no matter if we are a man or women, stuff happens.  Even when contingency plans have been made, and the possibility has been factored in, it still comes as a shock when it does happen. 
Besides, things happen to others – not to me.  Errr wrong.
I think being prepared is the best I can do.  It will never negate the shock of bad news, but it may make it better than it could have been.