Journal of a Living Lady #88
There
is an old proverb that says just about anything you want it to. I’ve been known
to make up a couple of “mama-isms” while raising kids. Like the time one of our
foster children choked on a piece of hard candy. In a panic, I turned Bobby
up-side down and shook the him by his feet until it popped out. At the tender
age of five he probably didn’t realize that this bizarre response probably
saved his life.
I
shudder to think what would have happened to Bobby had he not been removed from
a despicable, abusive environment. He entered our home that memorable first day
with a tiny teddy bear and a brown grocery sack of quickly-gathered dirty
clothes.
Bobby
was winsome child, full of personality. He had a few famous quips of his own.
Not long after he became a member of our household, we had some church members
for dinner. Bobby loved home-style
mashed potatoes which I placed on the table last. He was delighted. An impromptu,
but sincere compliment followed: “My mama is the best mother-cooker in
the whole world.” This brought hysterical tears of laughter to our only
somewhat righteous table. Unless you grew up in the south, you may not catch
the humor. Just be glad for your sheltered up-bringing.
Now
an independent young adult, Bobby remembers many of my off-the-cuff adages. He
can probably quote this one by heart: “Sometimes life turns you up-side down
and you are better off for the experience.”
Life is topsy-turvy for us all at one time or another. We learn to deal with it. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I never had this disease. For starters, I wouldn’t have to schedule my life around doctor appointments and chemotherapy. I wouldn’t have to take a dozen pills a day. I wouldn’t get those “knowing” sympathetic looks from others when I walked into a crowded room. I wouldn’t need cosmetic support to look esthetically normal. There wouldn’t be a portable oxygen tank to wag around or a more permanent one to anchor to at night.
Bobby wouldn’t wonder if I’ll always be there for him. Charlie wouldn’t wonder if I’ll be around for his college graduation or his someday marriage. Buddy wouldn’t toss and turn, afraid his mate will leave this life before he does. And finally, I wouldn’t be writing this journal.
The
reality is that I do have cancer. So, if I can only live once, then I must do
it right. I purposely put my feet on the floor in the mornings knowing that the
clock is ticking down. Strange how many folks long for immortality, yet don’t know
what to do with themselves on a wet Sunday.
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nancyk@alltel.net https://www.angelfire.com/bc/nancykelly
