The thingie (not it's technical name) that controls the temperature on my water heater conked out recently. The young man they sent to repair it had a great sense of humour and was very cute. I enjoyed having him in my house.

I was washing dishes when he left and he asked me about the water temperature. I said that it was definitely hotter than it had been. He tested it and said that he had turned it up as hot as was legally allowed.

And then came the kicker, "You're just like my mother. She puts her bare hands under really hot water when she is washing dishes, too."

And then, the other day, a young woman offered to give up her seat to me on the bus. Ouch.

It really was very kind of her but I'm forty years old and able-bodied. And I don't think you could tell by looking at me that I have cancer.

But I guess I am old enough to be mother of a young adult.

And when I was their age, forty seemed ancient, too.

You can read more of my writing at Not Just About Cancer..