The Grand Hotel in Mobile Alabama. I had been looking forward to this meeting for over a month. When I checked, I was told that the weather was in the high s and the flowers were in bloom in this part of the South. I couldnt wait to get there and spend a few days relaxing in the sun. I had picked up a rental car at the airport and made a mad dash to the resort complex.

I had been invited to a day medical symposium in Atlanta sponsored by a pharmaceutical company. I had looked forward to this meeting not only for the meeting content but to see colleagues that have mutual medical research interests. The meetings are well attended since new research findings are usually announced here before they are published in medical journals. During the morning break, I ran into a doctor from North Carolina that I had met earlier

I am a -year old clinical pharmacist with a hospital-based practice in Florida. Having achieved a national reputation for developing a disease-state computer modeling program, I now have a second career as a medical consultant showing other medical groups across the country how to achieve better Accordingly, I encounter the same problems with crowded flights, plane delays, and all the other problems that people who make a living traveling encounter. While I have my share of complaints about these problems, occasionally, something good results from one of the inconveniences. Let me tell you of one such experience.

As the morning sun leaks through the curtains the next morning, you awake to a very familiar, yet unrecognizable aroma. You roll over on the bed, wrapped tight in a warm quilt, and prop yourself up on your elbows. You notice the binds still attached to the bed hanging loosely from each post. Across the room you see him standing there, his back to you. He is half dressed, wearing a pair of Levis with no shirt and barefoot.

One thing leads to another My wife, Terri and I are both pharmacists who grew up in Ohio but now live in north Florida. We moved to Florida shortly after getting married, following Terris graduation. I had graduated two years earlier from the same College of Pharmacy and had a good job in Columbus. After graduation, Terri received a fantastic offer from a major pharmacy chain and we moved to a beautiful area on the coast of north Florida. Having lived in Ohio all our lives it was like paradise in our new home on the beautiful Florida Gulf Coast. I had found a good job at a local hospital and we felt quite fortunate to both having great jobs , good incomes, and living in

The fresh spring air filled her lungs as she maintained her pace. The sun had just set in the soft western sky and as predicted, it looked to be a very clear night again. The more brilliant stars were beginning to let themselves be seen and the crescent moon twinkled in the evening twilight. She slowed her pace to a soft walk, beginning her cool down before reaching home. As she turned the corner at Elmwood, she felt the chill of the night against

I watched as Raylenes horse picture returned to the desktop after I closed down Internet Explorer. I looked at the screen for a moment then glanced around the house noticing how quiet it seemed. I reached out and pushed the power button on her monitor and the horse instantly disappeared to be replaced by a black dead screen. I swiveled in her leather chair and then rose to my feet gabbing my bottle of water as I did so. With one hand rubbing over the beard trying to grow on my face, I decided that I needed a shave.

The drive into town is a beautiful bouquet of fall colors in the trees along the road. As you ride with the window down, the wind blowing through your hair, you cant remember the last time you took the time to notice natures wondrous splendor and enjoyed yourself like this. You love to drive his car, the quick -speed that handles like a sports car. Of course you could concentrate better on the road if his hands where not driving you crazy.

He walks over to a table against the wall, picks up several items and returns. He lifts your head and brings a cup of very cool water to your lips. You had not realized just how thirsty you were, you drink greedily. The water tastes so good. When you have emptied the cup he sits it aside. He then produces a large bowl of fruit. Drawing out an apple, a large, red delicious apple.

You started out just to free your mind, to think clearly about your relationship with him. Are you ready? But most of all, are you going to let him back in? You have put up so many boundaries around yourself, all self defense mechanisms. You pushed him away and hurt him so very much. He has loved you from the very beginning and you loved him too but could not admit it to him or even to yourself sometimes. You cannot remember the last person who made it near the center, maybe it has never happened, but he was so close. Are you willing to let him step inside now? You are a survivor, you have lasted these many years.