Pain And Suffering Are Not the Same

If you broke your arm, you’d be in pain. After receiving medical attention (pain relievers, cast, maybe a sling), you’d be in much less pain, but suffering might come next.

You’d suffer because the cast will get in the way of many things you take for granted. Your arm will itch, and satisfaction will be difficult to find. People will constantly be asking what happened. Sleeping positions become awkward and will require accommodation for this newly wrapped appendage. 

In this scenario, pain comes first, then suffering begins. All this comes to an end when the cast is removed. Pain and the inconvenience and challenges of suffering expire with the reinstatement of what we call normal.

The Squishy Stuff

If you have yet to see Season 1, Episode 15 of the new Matlock television series, maybe save this article for a later time. This is a lot of words to say, “Warning. Spoiler Alert!”

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Attorney Matty Matlock (Kathy Bates) is working undercover to find out which of the law firm’s partners destroyed evidence in a litigated opioid trial against a drug manufacturer. Matty believes that (1) the acquittal in this case resulted from the destruction of this evidence and (2) the acquittal was the reason that her daughter overdosed on this medication. 

A secret whistleblower is in the shadows. 

The "Right" Discussion

Being 'right'. 

For most of us, this can be an uncomfortable and sticky conversation. But let's do it anyway.

An article was posted and hit my newsfeed today. My earliest reaction wished it had not.

The title reads, "I Texted My Friend For Years After She Died. Then I Received A 5-Word Reply That Left Me Shaken." (That's one wordy title if you ask me. But you won't because you already know how much I ramble.)

This posting is a true confession of sorts. I followed this writer into raw and painful emotions right alongside beautiful I-will-never-forget recollections. 

Just So You Know

Maddie (Madison Lintz) says, “Dad. Just so you know. When I can't reach you? It scares me. A lot. Because I'm out there. On the streets. And I see all the bad shit that goes on. And it just, it gets in your head, you know?”

Dad says, “I do.”  (Bosch Legacy. Season 1, Episode.9)

Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) is a seasoned detective with many years on the force responding to his daughter, a boot (a new term for me that refers to a rookie in the police department).

I can’t remember what triggered this exchange, but I imagine it was something like dad was too busy fighting crime to respond to his daughter’s cell phone ring. I mean, it’s not easy to call a time-out amid an intense gun battle.