Neil Fein's Blog

Knowing Irma and Vytus for 18 years^[1], you’d think I’d know them well. I’m very close friends with Grazina, their daughter, and I only see them from time to time; months or years can pass when I don't see them.

And I wouldn’t think of calling them “Irma” or “Vytus” I tend to fall back on the old standard of not calling them anything, just speaking to them while looking at them. When needed, they're Mr. or Mrs. S.

Why is this, I wonder? I think enough of them that I took the day off when needed on Tuesday, when Mr.S was in the hospital, even though I did it for Grazina’s sake and I’m sure everyone knows this. (This is the best way to act, I think, when accomanying a friend to the hospital with their family around — in uncertain situations, ask, “what would make my friend most comfortable?” — and do that.)

Really, with a friend as close as Grazina, you’d think I'd have figured out how to act by now, but I behave much the same with Craig’s parents.

Update: As of last night, VS is talking, eating, and so on, and is generally far more aware. More tests are scheduled. Will know more when I see Graz tonight.

Further update: VS is doing even better, although he's still in the hospital. Much remains to be seen.

^[1] Since I was in 10th grade