CHAPTER 59 – Perspective
Dad sat in the Emergency Room ward, waiting patiently. Curtains blocked the view to the sides where other patients also waited. The only view he had was out the front of the ward.
Since he was there unexpectedly to accompany his elderly mother, Dad hadn’t brought anything to do. No books. No magazines. No TV. There was nothing to do but wait. Doctors and nurses rushed past the front of the ward. Occasionally, one would stop in and check on his mother. Sometimes they introduced themselves and explained what they were doing. Other times, they just went about their business. No one told them how long they would have to wait. So they waited. And waited.
Hours ticked by. Dad became impatient and irritable. He was going stir crazy with nothing to do. He couldn’t leave his mother’s side, so he couldn’t even leave for a walk. And he was hungry. How long would he have to stay in this ward? He became less and less cheerful when the staff came in. Especially when no one could answer how much longer they’d have to wait.
He felt like a caged animal. And then the light clicked on. “This must be how rabbits feel when they’re stuck in a cage all the time. Waiting and waiting, with nothing to do—not knowing when or if they’ll be let out,” he thought. “At least I’m not sitting on a wire floor! No wonder they can get mean.”
After six and a half hours, they were finally released. He was so happy to leave. He couldn’t wait to get home to see Abigail.
At home, Abigail sat alone in the dark wondering, “Where’s Dad? He’s usually home by now.” Just then, she heard his footsteps and the front door opened. The room lit up like it was daytime. “Hi baby. Dad’s home!” he announced. He came over to Abigail and knelt down to give her a pet, “I’m sorry I’m so late, sweetie. I had to go to the hospital unexpectedly. You know what? I got a taste of what it must have been like for you to be stuck in a cage for your first year before you came to live here. I’m so sorry you had to go through that!”
Abigail thought, “It’s OK, Dad. I’m just happy I’m free now. Some bunnies never get to be free. I’m lucky!”
