Hi again, James!  This is a continuation of my previous message to you:   
      
   JB>  "I hope you have a speedy recovery." How do you breach   
   JB>  that with, "Nineteen-years and counting..."?   
      
      
             You've probably heard the expression "a nine days' wonder"... I   
   guess the majority of folks have little or no experience with conditions which   
   aren't resolved within that time & their attention span may be similarly   
   limited.  :-Q   
      
      
      
   JB>  No, it's not a sliver that will work its way out, and   
   JB>  unless the person with the well wishes has something   
   JB>  comparable in their life, we have to accept their well   
   JB>  wishes with the intent they were delivered.   
      
      
             Uh-huh.  They don't quite know what to say... but neither do we.  :-)   
      
      
      
   JB>  Salt in a wound   
      
      
             Toughens the skin & assists granulation when applied correctly, as   
   we learned from a wonderful nurse at BCCH.  Cats & dogs have the right idea.    
   Most human beings, OTOH, presuppose an insensitive application of dry   
   granules.  ;-)   
      
      
      
   JB>  or teaspoon of sugar to make the medicine go down????   
      
      
             Arghh!  Speaking as a parent who actually tasted the vile stuff   
   which Nora's otherwise healthy instincts told her to throw up in the oncology   
   ward... and who asked her nurse for more information about the specific   
   location of the taste buds... I would recommend unsweetened apple juice.  The   
   spoonful of sugar is a typical SJ answer.  It sounds logical on the surface &   
   it may work in some cases.  When it doesn't, you may prefer to consult a nerd   
   like me... [chuckle].   
      
      
      
   JB>  Who better, than a person who is mired in stink to   
   JB>  explain the smell?   
      
      
             Agreed.  Life in a pediatric oncology ward is a culture shock.    
   After an experience like that, I can't go out into the world again & see   
   things quite the way others do.  I'm not criticizing your use of metaphor   
   here.  I'm playing with general & personal connotation in such a way as to add   
   factoids which some readers might find useful.  Another example of black   
   humour, I suppose....  :-)   
      
      
      
   JB>  If someone thinks you could better deal with your   
   JB>  situation(s), maybe they have never experienced the   
   JB>  bouquet.   
      
      
             Yes.  The three of us have received some *very* nice compliments   
   from people who understand what's going on in our lives.  As long as there are   
   a few bouquets like that once in awhile, we can keep such things in   
   perspective.  :-)   
      
      
      
      
   --- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+   
    * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)