And I know they know. For crying out loud, they are 10 and 7 years old. I remember that (seriously...I do!). I actually remember one year (oh my goodness...here comes the time I actually have to admit something to my Dad he doesn't know...sorry dad!!!!) I actually opened the ends of all my presents to peak and see what I got. Without a doubt...most disappointing Christmas ever. It was then I discovered I LOVE surprises (Editor's Note: ONLY the good kind!).
Unfortunately, life doesn't always abide by that rule.
For the past two weeks, I've been lamenting on this season. Traditionally my VERY, VERY favorite time of year. Got that from my mom. So this year I feel like I have the double-whammy of always missing my mom this time of year because the woman used to DO-IT-UP baby! But also because this is a new way for us to do Christmas. I just kept thinking "I'm going to be alone". And even though I've had a friend promise me, "No you won't!", I know what it's going to be like.
Regardless, all my petty and selfish thoughts went out the window when I got the following email just a few hours ago about a friend from college. His name is Joe:
Joe was at MD Anderson for over 6 hours today. It is Advanced Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. It is in his kidney, lung, lymph nodes and bones. They have him scheduled for a brain scan tomorrow. Everything goes as planned, he will start chemo on Wednesday. No prognosis. It completely depends on how his body responds to treatment. Pray that it does!! Please keep Joe, Collyne and their two boys in your prayers. Apparently all they need right now is prayer. Hug your family.
Regardless, all my petty and selfish thoughts went out the window when I got the following email just a few hours ago about a friend from college. His name is Joe:
Joe was at MD Anderson for over 6 hours today. It is Advanced Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. It is in his kidney, lung, lymph nodes and bones. They have him scheduled for a brain scan tomorrow. Everything goes as planned, he will start chemo on Wednesday. No prognosis. It completely depends on how his body responds to treatment. Pray that it does!! Please keep Joe, Collyne and their two boys in your prayers. Apparently all they need right now is prayer. Hug your family.
 |
| D, Chris & Joe |
It's like I've always said...FAMILY is the only thing you can't replace. A friend recently told me, "I don't risk anything I can't put a monetary value on." At first I thought, "What?!" Then, or course, I totally got it. Duh.
Irreplaceable. Thanks Don.
Simply put, there are irreplaceables out there.
No matter how incredibly selfish I get with my feelings. No matter how I may accidentally treat someone. No matter how someone may accidentally treat me. No matter how 'alone' I may feel and be this holiday season, there's someone out there saying, "Really?! I'll trade with you, Nancy."
From the bottom of my heart...so incredibly embarrassing to whine, say "I'm bored", get snippy, be impatient, be short, take advantage, complain, go up and down (and up and down again) that roller coaster that is my life, make it about me, overlook there are other people who have other things going on...whatever. Thank you for being my friend.
Pray For Joe.
Irreplaceable. Thanks Don.
Simply put, there are irreplaceables out there.
No matter how incredibly selfish I get with my feelings. No matter how I may accidentally treat someone. No matter how someone may accidentally treat me. No matter how 'alone' I may feel and be this holiday season, there's someone out there saying, "Really?! I'll trade with you, Nancy."
From the bottom of my heart...so incredibly embarrassing to whine, say "I'm bored", get snippy, be impatient, be short, take advantage, complain, go up and down (and up and down again) that roller coaster that is my life, make it about me, overlook there are other people who have other things going on...whatever. Thank you for being my friend.
Pray For Joe.
Hug Your Family.
No comments:
Post a Comment