Breathless

YOU'VE GOT THE WHOLE DAY PLANNED PUNCTILIOUSLY: breakfast after morning prayers, a bit of freshening up, morning work amidst the papers or pastoral appointments, lunch, a brief respite, a session at the gym, an afternoon Mass or two, prayers, hanging out with friends, dinner and then rest. You were prepared to make your way through the day ahead when you suddenly become conscious of that weight seemingly resting upon your chest, a feeling aggravated by each breath you take. With each frustrated gasp for air you begin to feel a swept into a maelstrom of emotions, ranging from anger to frustration and near-panic. Then you finally concede to that damning realization: you're having an asthma episode...