Monique Polak

Maybe it's because I spend so much time writing and reading stories, but to me, it often feels that life takes the shape of a story. What I mean is that life has beginning, middle and end; thereare climaxes and denouements; hopes that build and are dashed; then new hopes that take their place.

I've been spending a lot of time at the hospital lately since my mum has a mysterious virus -- and boy, there are stories everywhere! And even with all the worry, there are moments of high comedy. Yesterday, when my mum woke up she was angry with my father. At first, we thought it was because he had only come for a short visit the day before. Then, when my dad turned up at the hospital, my mum would hardly speak to him. And she asked me, "Has your father been out carousing?" 

I was quite impressed that she used the word "carousing" -- especially since the day before she had had a lot of trouble finding her words. But as you may know, the word "carousing" has a negative connotation; it suggests that my father was out misbehaving (perhaps flirting with other women or going to all night parties)! Considering that my dad is 79 years old and worried sick about my mum, it was kind of a funny remark! Anyway, I am now thinking I might have to write another story -- something about the love affair of these two old people who have been through so much together... how she can still worry about his possible misbehavior and how he looks at her and calls her his "popje" (Dutch for "little doll").

So whatever you happen to be up to today or this week, I hope you're also tuning into stories -- and that your stories, too, will have tender moments.