Cancer - such an ugly word.....a word that sometimes brings fear to those of us who aren't physically affected with it as well as a fear to those who have it. It's the fear of the unknown. I've been affected by cancer three times in the span of my 40 years. My mother, Euna Patrick, was touched by cancer - I was 12 years old when she passed away. My mom was a beautiful lady - so quiet (unfortunately, I took after my dad's side of the family - LOUD! LOL) and reserved. Very spiritual - very calming. Sad to say, I don't have many vivid memories because I was so young when she passed - but the ones I have - I hold dearly in my heart. I've known my "other mother" as I call her, Shirley - for more years now than I knew my mother....sometimes if I allow myself to dwell on that - it seems so surreal. I went through a rough patch when my mother passed - thank God he saw fit to pull me out of the hole that I dug myself into. My "other mother" has always been there for me - as my school teacher prior to becoming my "other mother". She has seen the good, the bad and the ugly and has never once tried to be my "mother", she has always been my friend.
My sister Paulette - touched by cancer - survivor of one year!!! What a road she traveled - all the surgeries, doctor appointments, blood test, chemo therapy, reconstruction surgery - you name -she had it! I was honored to be her caretaker through most of her cancer treatments and although it wasn't always fun - it made me happy to able to help her - to have experienced some of what my dad must have gone through with my mother (although my mom didn't have surgery or chemo - she went through lots of pain). Way to go Paulette - you make me proud to call you my sister.
And now, Tootsie - my sweet mother-in-law. She loves me!!! The reason - she thought her son would NEVER get married (as he was 40 when we got married) so she thinks I hung the moon!!! LOL. She is a precious lady who has welcomed me into her family with open arms. She took care of me when I had my baby (who was 3 months early - I was so sick and almost died - she stayed with me for weeks and weeks). Now, I get to help her - what a beautiful thing. Her hair is growing back - she looks great and is starting to get her energy back. What a beautiful day.
Be blessed.
4 comments:
ok, so now I have a tear! it is a beautiful day! We have prayed for Tootsie so much and will continue. And one good thing about having 'the other mother' is you get to have 'the other sisters' HA! Love you lots!
What great pictures! And sweet memories as well. Thank God for Shirlty. She kept us all sane! And we LOVE having more sisters!!!
Hey...what a beautiful post! Don't 'we' all hate the cancer word? At least thru it all we have each other now. Yes, we would all prefer to have our 'natural' parent rather than our 'other' but thank God for making something good from all of our grief!
Thank God 1 yr later my 'other' sister - Paulette is a survivor! Thank God for His hand on Tootsie, too!
Cancer has sure tried to beat us but it can't!!!!
I reminded your dad this past week as we came through Birmingham on our way back from Pigeon Forge and visited Raymond's grave that Euna's birthday would be this next week and I am sure he will visit her grave site, although we know they aren't there only resting until the dead in Christ shall rise first. God has so much Blessed our extended family and I can honestly say and I do tell everyone how Blessed our family is and we truly do care for each other and all get along so beautiful. I love you kids and especially the grand's so much and I hate it when people ask how many grandkids do I have and how many does Carl have??? I can honestly say I would have to count them seperately to tell that and I never think of my babies in that way as they are ALL mine and Popsie's together. I love you all!
Shirley/Grammy
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