Thirty-two things you can give someone in hospital

red carnations
a cyclamen
a get well balloon
original art by anyone under 15
a yellow chrysanthemum
dried fruit, nuts & prunes
a pink carnation
ear plugs
a scoop of hot chips
stickers of happy faces
a bag of kiwi fruit
a plastic nun finger-puppet
a moaning back scratcher
original art by anyone over 15
tapes
a sleeping mask
a lotto ticket
scratchies
toy binoculars
pineapple lumps
a book of poems about Wellington's big weather
chocolate chippie biscuits
magazines
books
a crystal
more hot chips
face cream
bubble blowing liquid
eye gel
page 106 a lollipop
shortbread
another get well balloon.

Evening on the ward

The registrar is visiting. It is the end of her day and she looks tired. She sits on the chair by the bed. She is having friends for tea and is trying to work out what to cook. Trading recipes feels like an exotic activity. As I slide my leg in and out on the exercise board, I try and remember easy and tasty meals from my former life. You've got good movement in that, says the registrar. I didn't even know she was looking. Ahh. Something hopeful.