"You know I'm dying, right?"

After a session today, I was packing up to leave a patient’s home. 

Him: “You know what I could really use?”

Me: “What?”

Him: “Ice cream. Can you go to a store and get me some ice cream?”

Me: “I can’t now. I have another patient I need to get to. How about I pick some up next time I come out to see you?”

Him: “When will you come out again?”

Me: “Um, Friday.”

Him: “Friday? You expect me to be able to make it all the way to Friday without ice cream?”

Me: “I wish you would have told me before I came out to see you today. I could have stopped off somewhere to get you ice cream.”

Him: “Friday is so far away. I don’t think I can make it.”

(He is pouting like a child)

Him: “You do know I’m dying, right?”

Me: “Are you really going to play the, ‘I’m dying card’ for ice cream?”

Him: “Well, I am dying. Who knows if I will be here Friday?”

Me: “Fine, I will go get you ice cream after I finish the rest of my patients. BUT if you die by Friday, I will be breaking in your house to get all of the ice cream!”

Him: “Deal! And water my plants while you’re here.”

So, after my day, I went to buy some him ice cream: “Madagascar Vanilla Bean,” “Mediterranean Mint,” “Raspberry Sorbet,” and “Southern Butter Pecan” delivered to a very, very happy 78-year-old man

...with the heart of a 10-year old boy.

And I hope he lives a long, long time.