text: Benny: You can't imagine how much I hate all this New Year crap. As if I should rejoice in being older.
  Kate: And wiser. God! You are not old!!
  Benny: But my age (and especially the age of my friends) starts to show from the number of friends who have died in the past year, and those who have become incapacitated.
  Kate: In actual fact I've been noticing the same. All of a sudden we are all talking about our ailments!
  Benny: Or folks that we have just taken to their last place on earth. Or those who are but aren't here any longer. Like your hubby. So terrible for you.
  Kate: One learns to cope. Rough time though.
  Benny: I know what you mean.
  Helen: Something recent?
  Benny: In particular, one close friend Rob that I visit, had a stroke 7 weeks ago, and although showing signs of still “being in there” like smiling and squeezing hands, has not spoken or communicated in 7 weeks.
  Helen: My dad had recovered after a stroke his understanding and learnt to communicate with us but never regained his power of speech.
  Benny: We are not sure how much Rob really understands. Maybe he just greets us the way a friendly doggy reacts to being treated well.
  Helen: This may change for the better, given plenty of positive interaction. And time. And patience. 7 weeks is nothing. a recovery process takes months.
  Benny: You seem to know a lot. Let's hope you are right.
  Helen: The point is we can't let such experiences bog us down! Please!
  Benny: Far from it. Maybe just getting pensive from time to time.
  Helen: :‑|
target: Benny doesn't like New Year's Eve celebration and getting older. Many of her friends are having health problems, like Rob who had a stroke 7 weeks ago, or have died, like Kate's husband. Helen's dad suffered a stroke and could never speak again, but she tries to stay positive.