Sad and Sad Some More

So, a rare, silver back gorilla is dead and a little boy is probably scared for life. At least, I know I would be. 

As many of you know, I had a close encounter of the sorta first kind with a silver back who happened to be Willie B.'s son. I'm telling you, it was love at first sight.

I have  nostalgic feelings for Willie B., whom I visited every day for about a week when I was 8 or 9 years old. He was in a glass cage with a TV mounted up on the wall and a tire swing.

After day two, when he saw me, he would stop what he was doing and come sit by the wall/window and watch me. 

And I'd watch him.

I'd talk to him, some, too, if nobody else was around.

I've kept that in my heart all my life. Then a few years ago, got to visit the compound where his son was residing at the time.

The compound owner heard my story when I contacted them for a date for a visit. 

The gorilla was waiting on us at a window when we drove up. He looked totally bored, his head leaned up against his hand. He was there because he knew visitors meant food.

She talked about him, and brought out fresh fruit. Then, with a twinkle in her eye, looked at me and asked, "You wouldn't want to feed him, would you?"

I said something profound, like, "Boy, would I!" which made the small crowd of folks laugh.

She made me put on one of those tight fitting gloves so I wouldn't give the gorilla some dread disease. I scooped up some melon and slowly put my hand at the window bars. 

He looked me in the eye, then looked down at the fruit. Gently, his big old fingers picked the fruit from my hand, then he ate it, rather thoughtfully, I imagined.

We stayed as long as we possibly could that day, a day I will never forget.

I was heart broken over the news that a child had got down there with that  kind of big old beast. 

I was sadder still when I learned they had to kill the  male gorilla.

But I am beyond sad thinking about the terror that little boy went through while he was drug around the compound. That's a day he will never forget, but not with the same kind of emotions I was given to remember.

I pray someone can help this child work through the terror.

He's gonna need all the help he can get.

STRESSSSSSED

Last Saturday, as you all know, we visited the wildlife center and saw gorillas. This was a wonderful day, but it still stressed my pitiful body, which I knew it would.

However; some things are worth it.

I knew I had to get up on Sunday and go to church, NO MATTER WHAT. It was Easter! So this old crippled arose and went. And was blessed.

Monday, Daughter's doctor appointment didn't go as happily as we hoped, and she had to have another biopsy.

Tuesday, my doctor's appointment was okay except that the P.A. cheerfully told me I had some diverticulitis. Well, yay, me.

Wednesday, I took Mother to the dentist and she was told she had to have $3,000.00 worth of dental work done in order to be cleared for hip replacement surgery.

Oh, did I mention my mother has decided, at age 84, nearing 85, that she is going to have hip replacement surgery next month?

Hear that? It's my heart rate speeding up.

Needless to say, she was not a happy camper about the dentist news.

I had not felt well since eating Tuesday afternoon. Instead of getting better, it got worse, until yesterday afternoon I thought I might have to get some fluid. As in a needle stuck in my arm. As in a hospital.

But I'm better today.

Oh, and we had a very big deal go on at our church, which caused me some anxiety. I was worried how some people would behave. But it went well.

My washing machine started sounding like a 747 was taking off in the closet. Part is ordered. Laundry is almost touching the ceiling.

And Best Friend's pseudo grandson (really great-nephew, but not in her heart) became critically ill with a folded colon (the doctors kept saying that's not what it was because children didn't get folded colons and kept not doing anything for twelve hours), and had to have a trip to Scottish Rite and terrify everyone.

Did I tell you Brother of Many Surgeries went back to Emory for a few days as he began leaking in his gut? No? Well, he got himself a new drain tube and is on his way home.

Molly had a seizure night before last at 10:30. Then again at 12:30. Then again yesterday  morning at 5:30. then at 3:30. Today she is panting and looks peaked. My poor, poor puppy.

Truck's gotta have new tires. NOW.

So, that has been my week.

How has yours been?