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| Not for the shy or faint of heart . . . |
Recently, there had been a lot of press
about women nursing their babies.
Usually because it has been carried to
extreme lengths.
I nursed my babies.
And loved doing it.
But this isn't a commentary about that.
Though it is about 'extremes'.
Maybe I should explain . . .
A veterinarian friend of my father's
had stopped in for a chat.
An immigrant from the UK, he was very
fond of his tea.
My father offered him a cup.
Uncharacteristically, he declined.
With a slight shudder.
Dad stared at his friend.
What could possibly have put Dr.
Ilovemytea off his favourite beverage?
He realized that he had aroused Dad's
curiosity.
An explanation was in order.
He told Dad that he had just come from
a vet call to a farm at the furthest border of his practice.
'Out in the sticks', you might say.
His veterinarian business had been
concluded.
And successful.
Hoping to prolong what was, to her, the
highlight of a normally solitary day, the woman of the household had
invited Dad's friend into her front room for a visit.
She had recently given birth to a fine
son.
And was anxious to share her story with
someone.
All was well.
She and baby were thriving.
Baby was nursing well and growing
rapidly.
The woman offered the doctor a quick
cup of tea before he began the long trek back to town.
Happily, he accepted.
The tea was brewed.
The woman brought it in and set it in
front of her guest.
“Would you like milk?” she asked.
Dad's friend said that, indeed, yes, he
would love milk.
Whereupon (good word) the woman flipped
out a breast and squirted some milk into the doctor's tea.
He blinked.
Well . . . at least it was fresh.
As the story unfolded, Dad burst into
laughter.
“So, did you drink it?” he asked
his friend.
“Of course,” the doctor said.
“How was it?”
“Well, it tasted just fine,” he
said. “Put me off a bit. But tasted fine.”
“Well,” Dad said, “You're braver
than I am!”
Tea, anyone?
