What Katy Did

Years ago, as a child, I read a charming book by Susan Coolidge called "What Katy Did." So what? you may ask. Well, it has shaped some of my attitudes about illness. Today I'm having a decidedly Anti-Katy day. Katy gets hurt and becomes an invalid, and learns some lessons: Pain is a teacher, if you are ill you have to draw people to you, and kindness and patience above all other things. Well, pain is a teacher. I have learned a great deal of patience through pain, and I've learned that good health is a blessing. As for the other lessons, I try my best to be engaging, no matter how I feel. But there are days like today, when I really don't care. I don't want to learn great esoteric lessons, I don't want to be the gentle kind invalid. I want, for lack of a better term, a normal life. And it's never going to happen, and I'm angry.