It turns out that Friday brought a weather phenomenon to Texas that we do not see that often – snow! Yes, Virginia…there is snow in Texas. Now, it’s not the kind I remember as a kid growing up in Long Island. That kind of snow allowed us to build igloos and tunnel from one end of the block to the other. This kind of snow is usually miniscule in accumulation, but just the right consistency to make a few good snow balls.
I awoke to news reports regarding treacherous bridges and overpasses in the county where we live. During winter weather, that seems to be our demise – those pesky, high bridges and overpasses freezing and causing gridlock. But reports indicated that the place we needed to get to, downtown Dallas, did not reap any of the treachery of the wintry mix. So if figured I could easily make the journey.
It just so happens that my husband, James, was off on Friday. And for those of you that do not know, he is in law enforcement so when it comes to me, he is very protective and worries about my safety. I chalk that up to all the crazies he comes into contact with on a daily basis. So my knight in “blue armor” volunteered to be the wheel man.
We arrived at Cass de Longo on time and mom was ecstatic to see my husband – the woman loves that boy as if he were one of her own. Thankfully he’s not because that would make our marriage illegal, unless we lived in Arkansas! :)
We piled into the car and headed to Medical City. As we approached the doors leading to the “forbidden zone” mom was greeted by a fellow radiation patient. They chit-chatted for a while and when mom rejoined me and my husband, she said that the gentleman always tells her how beautiful she is and what a wonderful smile she has. Now even though mom is married, I think it makes anyone feel good when another person finds them attractive and as mom said, “Especially considering I am an old, bald woman.” So as she proceeded through the doors, I was reminded of Sandra Bullock’s character (Gracie Heart) in Miss Congeniality. And as mom started through the doors, I started to sing... "He thinks you’re sexy…he wants to kiss you.” Needless to say, mom giggled down the hall like a school girl. It’s amazing how kind words, even from a stranger, can lift one’s spirits.
The inclement weather worked in our favor today. There were a lot of treatment cancellations, so we were in and out in record time – fifteen minutes. As mom re-emerged from the treatment area, my husband looked surprised that it did not take longer. “Not to worry” mom said. “That gives us time to have some lunch.”
We arrived at a local burger joint and while my mom isn’t much of a “burger kind of gal,” she will kill you with her folk for the cheese fries they serve at this place. So as we settled into our booth, an old saying popped into my head – “you can tell a lot about a man in the way he treats his mother.” And as I watched my husband help my mom off with her coat, assist her getting in and out of the booth and guiding her gently along when we were ready to leave, I had an ah-ha moment. While that old saying may be true, you can tell more about a man in how he treats YOUR mother. Like I posted in another blog, I didn’t really ask my husband to step up to this challenge. He did so willing and without having to be asked – he loves my mom as if she were his own and I think that speaks volumes as to the type of man I married.
As my husband and mom continued to walk, they conversed on a plethora of topics. Some of which I promised not to blog about – not because they are shocking…but let’s just say that my husband sees my mom in a whole new light. She is a humorous handful! :o)
As they continued to walk and talk, my husband towered over my mom. They looked like the Jolly Green Giant and Niblet! I decided to lurk in the background, not because I did not have anything to say, but because I was enjoying the moment of being on the outside looking in - watching my husband and mom interact on such an intense level.
I sat in the back of the car and as we headed home, James and mom continued their chosen topic of discussion. My husband pointed out that in his line of work; it sometimes frustrates him that people automatically assume the worse case scenario. When they see the police, something is wrong or someone is usually in trouble for breaking the law. While it might be true in some of the cases, it is not always an accurate picture one-hundred percent of them time. Sometimes you see officers parked on the side of the road catching up on paper work or simply talking with each other. There are times you might see an officer walk into a school, not because there is an emergency but to leave lunch money for their child or be the guest speaker at a show and tell. And sometimes you might see an officer escorting someone across a parking lot; not because that person broke the law, but perhaps they found time, in an otherwise abnormal schedule, to have lunch with a significant other or friend. It’s all about perspective.
Cancer is a lot like that. People just presume because one is diagnosed with Cancer that means an automatic end. You have the Big C and that’s that. But in a lot of cases that is just not the case …and if you don’t believe that, just look at the photos of my bald, mature mother who is beating Stage 4 cancer! I imagine if you were a casual bystander looking at my mom, you might think the worse case scenario or assume she's in trouble - healthwise. But I guarantee if you are on the inside, looking out, you would witness all the joys and blessings and rather than focusing on just the negative ...you would be hopefully optimistic.
It’s all about perspective.
Val
(Jolly Green and Niblet)
(Proof that it does snow in Texas!)
