I recently got a phone call to return to great group of women and speak again. But this call went a bit differently than most conversations:
Mrs. K: Hi, Cathy! We were so happy to have you speak last year, but I think you need to return.
Me: Well, I would love to, is there anything particular you’d like me to talk about?
Mrs. K: Yes. I want you to give them the ‘SCARY TALK.”
Now, this is a group of mature women, church ladies, in fact, so I was pretty sure she didn’t mean she wanted me to give the sex talk. On the other hand, there are quite a few widows in this group…so maybe, they wanted a refresher course? Maybe they didn’t remember my expertise?
Me: So, Mrs. K., do you mean the SCARY TALK that I mentioned in passing about how healthcare costs and nursing home costs can truly make you destitute? Or……something else ( I wanted to make sure we were on the same page, my youthful good looks may have intrigued her to think something else.)
Mrs. K: Absolutely. It’s time these women realized that there is terrifying information out there that they need to have. It’s time they got truly prepared.
Me: I couldn’t agree more, but you need to let them know this is the SCARY TALK. No more “fun-and-games-Cathy.” This will have to be the “I’m-not-even-kidding-Cathy.”
Mrs. K: Yes, you’ve warned me, I will warn them, and there is no time like the present.
So I went back and gave them the “SCARY TALK,” which, in my defense, at my last talk while they were laughing and laughing at my granny panties (you have to come to a talk to see that one) I did suggest that they should have me back to give them the blood-curdling news.
They survived. It was a bit ugly. But I actually got a thank you note for the shocking and intimidating information about the nursing home and healthcare crisis that may befall everyone in that room.
I’m on a mission now, not waiting until Halloween to give the SCARY TALK, it just may save people from horrendous consequences.
If you want the SCARY TALK…..let me know…..I’ve got it down pat.
“You Just Have to Laugh…..and get informed, and get prepared, and then you can Laugh Again!” And then you’ll be like Peg!
©2018Cathy Sikorski
Scary talk! Just don’t look in any mirrors. Or as Erma Bombeck suggested, “Smear all the mirrors with Vaseline!” Works for me and Gussie =^..^= Cheers Ol’ Dear…
I like the Erma idea….but it won’t make this any less scary, only my face!
I think I’m now to scared to hear it. lol Great piece.
I got so scared, I forgot to reply!
I’d like the scary talk from you. Seriously. My worst nightmare is me sitting in the hallway of some nursing home with food dribbling down my face and no one to help me clean up. Being on Medicare, with no secondary, and never being able to qualify for long-term care insurance (like my parents had/have) scares the hell out of me. So, yeah, I want to hear what you have to say!!!
You are still funny and scary – more funny – more beautiful – more of a jewel.
With love,
The other Cathy
Okay…enough already, when the damn Nor’Easters calm down, I’m coming to see you and scare you! Boo!
I think I have already had the “scary talk”. Thank you for that!
Yes…relatives were my first guinea pigs! You handled it well!
I think we all need the scary talk!!! Thanks for being there to give it to us straight, or crooked, or even somewhere in between!
Yes…we all do and maybe more than once! And……you’re welcome! hahahhaa
I love being your friend and am so proud of the good work you do! That picture says it all. May God continue to bless you and your work.
I love being your friend as well. We have weathered many a storm together! Thank you for your support, which I have always had!