Roald Dahl

With the recent passing of his wife have come some interesting tales of Roald Dahl - you may remember him as the author of James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

 

He seems to have suffered several bouts of bad luck.  I've excerpted the most chilling part of the story I read today, a description of the day his young daughter passed:

 

Awful drive. Lorries kept holding us up on narrow roads. Got to hospital. Ambulance went to wrong entrance. Backed out. Arrived. Young doctor in charge. Mervyn and he gave her 3mg sodium amatol. I sat in hall. Smoked. Felt frozen. A small single bar electric fire on wall. An old man in next room. Woman doctor went to phone. She was trying urgently to locate another doctor. He arrived. I went in. Olivia lying quietly. Still unconscious. She has an even chance, doctor said. They had tapped her spine. Not meningitis. It's encephalitis. Mervyn left in my car. I stayed. Pat arrived and went in to see Olivia. Kissed her. Spoke to her. Still unconscious. I went in. I said, "Olivia… Olivia." She raised her head slightly off pillow. Sister said don't. I went out. We drank whiskey. I told doctor to consult experts. Call anyone. He called a man in Oxford. I listened. Instructions were given. Not much could be done. I first said I would stay on. Then I said I'd go back with Pat. Went. Arrived home. Called Philip Evans. He called hospital. Called me back. "Shall I come?" "Yes please." I said I'd tell hospital he was coming. I called. Doc thought I was Evans. He said I'm afraid she's worse. I got in the car. Got to hospital. Walked in. Two doctors advanced on me from waiting room. How is she? I'm afraid it's too late. I went into her room. Sheet was over her. Doctor said to nurse go out. Leave him alone. I kissed her. She was warm. I went out. "She is warm." I said to doctors in hall, "Why is she so warm?" "Of course," he said. I left.

 

If you've had any interest in the man or his writings I recommend you read the rest of the article here.

Making Angels Cry

Yesterday was a horrid day.

 

I decided a few months ago that my feelings for Girl had changed.  Fast forward to yesterday - Girl has been been gone for a bit over a month training for a new job.  She came home looking gorgeous as ever I'd seen her. 

 

While she was flying in, I cleaned her apartment to a point of spotlessness I knew even she'd be pleased with, and purchased an excellent bottle of wine.  Also, a 12 pack of her favorite beer and a few limes. 

 

We hadn't spoken much while she was away, which made this much harder - so when she arrived I met her at a car with a glass of wine and helped her bring her things in.  I wanted to talk to her, see how she'd been - the last thing I wanted was to end two great years with a simple "it's over." 

 

I asked questions, she gave answers - we caught up;  "Talk to me," she said.  "I'm not stupid.  I know you want to break up."

 

I was as clear as I could be with my answers - as clear as anyone looking at a tall, gorgeous, olive-skinned, golden eyed brunette laying on big pillows with tears in her eyes is capable of being - I tried not to pull punches, to tell her just how I felt.

"Just say you don't love me anymore," she said.  "It'll be easier to hear."  I couldn't say that, because I do - so she saved me.  "You're not in love with me."  "I guess that's how it's said," I responded.  

So much happened that it's difficult to catalog - but the one thing I'll never forget is when she said she was going to move to another apartment. 

"Somewhere safer?" I asked.  "Somewhere where everything I look at doesn't remind me of you," she sobbed as she curled in a ball.  

I don't post here much, so I imagine - and maybe hope - no one will read this - but I hope when I look back I remember the dreariness of these moments.  The pain of breaking a heart, watching it happen.  Taking full responsibility for another person's suffering.

It's a memory I'll never take for granted.

 Nobody said it was easy, It's such a shame for us to part. Nobody said it was easy, No one ever said it would be this hard.

Coldplay - The Scientist