I can’t decide if this was a good day or not.
It’s Friday, and we have two days with nothing on the calendar. I started out the morning truly happy at the thought of this. Then I found out a colleague had her baby, as did a friend’s sister-in-law. Even better news because there is nothing better than a new baby!
Tonight is my fifteen-year high school reunion. Fifteen years ago, I scoffed at the thought of ever seeing my high school friends again. I did not end my high school career on very good terms with pretty much anyone. I felt misunderstood and unappreciated and in general felt like I just did not fit in with anyone. I stopped talking to anyone I knew and ignored my fellow alumni as much as possible. And then the miracle of Facebook happened. It turns out that high school was miserable for everyone, and those with whom I thought I had nothing in common are those with whom I converse most frequently these days. I’ve even gotten a fellow alum to join my online book club! Fifteen years ago, I never thought I would ever want to attend a high school year reunion, and tonight, I wish I was there seeing everyone live and in person again. Funny how time changes our perspectives, isn’t it?
I’ve been reading a lot about Dewey’s read-a-thon this year. Unfortunately, as much as the thought of twenty-four hours of reading is more than appealing to me, it just isn’t in the cards for me. That is the day of my second test, which is a whopping four hours this time. The read-a-thon would be one-quarter over by the time I get home. And when I told my husband about it, he looked at me as if I had grown a second head. So, I’ve decided to just be a cheerleader this time, and hopefully I can participate during the next one. To say that I’m bummed is an understatement. Participating in spirit just isn’t the same.
My co-worker came back this week. She’s lost a lot of weight and just looks so frail and fragile. I’m trying to do everything possible to ease her workload, but she is so stubborn that I can foresee her trying to do too much too soon. It pains me to see her holding herself so carefully.
And then we found out that a good friend of ours was just diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She is due to give birth to her second child in March. She is twenty-eight. Twenty-eight!!?! We are absolutely heartbroken at this news, even though we know that it has one of the best survival rates. Unfortunately, because of her pregnancy, we still do not know which stage she is in, nor do we know what is going to happen with her treatment. Please keep her in your prayers.
To say that this news quickly brought my own issues into very sharp perspective. Tonight, I am going to sit with my husband, keep working on my flashcards, and give thanks for my health and my family. And I’m going to stop whining because I can’t participate in a read-a-thon. It’s nothing compared to what others are facing.
Laurel – With the perception of hindsight, we all have that high school angst. It just takes us years to figure that part out, I guess.
I also had that high school angst, and have not yet gone to a reunion. About a year ago, someone from the year behind me in school found me on My Space and it was amazing how much we had in common!
So sorry about your friend!
Stephanie, I had the epiphany the other night that most of my high school angst was my own fault. As Jim put it, I was anti-social and chose to put the blame on others rather than on myself. I see it now and am ashamed of myself. But at least I can reach out to those I should have befriended back then.
Yeah, fall with kids is not conducive to reading, is it? Although given Jim's reaction, I'm not certain I would ever get twenty-four hours of uninterrupted reading/blogging time. He would make sure to keep interrupting me on purpose, because he's silly like that. Oh well. Yay for cheerleaders!
Thank you, Diane. In doing some quick research about the disease, it seems to strike people in their twenties. The next big age is in the fifties. We heard from her this morning, and she's already making jokes about copying Jim's haircut (he shaves his head). It still breaks my heart, but she is one of the most intelligent/strongest women I've ever met. She's a survivor!
Lisa – She just found out the diagnosis yesterday, so she's still in the gathering options phase of treatment. I will definitely pass along your suggestions.
I grew up in a small town with a tiny little high school. There were 75 people in all 4 classes my Senior year. In my class, 19 of the 24 of us had started kindergarten together. These are people I had known my whole life. I still talk to a few of them. More so now with Facebook, but I kept in touch with the people that meant the most to me. That being said, I knew I was leaving small town america and never coming back. I generally don't!!
I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I have a friend who is having similiar issues with Hodgkin's and it's really a scary thing. I hope things work out for her.
I never seem to be able to participate in the read-a-thon. Chad has always had football on the days it's been scheduled. (and usually away games that are at least 6 – 7 hours from travel time to game to home again). Just never seems to be in the stars. I would LOVE to be able to spend one whole day, with no one bothering me, just reading and blogging. Seems like a great idea, in theory. (and Jim and Mike have a lot in common, because Mike that I was crazed when I said something about it!) So, I'll be cheering sometime throughout the day!
I'm sorry about your friend with H.Lymphoma. We have someone who is 29, just got married, his wife is expecting and has it “again”. He was in remission for about 1 year. His treatment now is very aggressive.
It seems this often hits those in their 20's. On a more positive note, my daughter has a former coworker who had this over 10 years ago, in her early 20's, and has been fine after chemo. She is now married, and they are expecting a “miracle baby”, as chemo generally ends your chances of conception for women.
We will keep your friend in our thoughts and prayers.
I have a friend that is battling a very aggressive form of breast cancer. If she strictly used traditional treatments, she might not be here with us. But she is a huge advocate of homeopathic remedies and non-traditional treatment. Your friend might look at some of these options that she might be able to use while she's pregnant to begin her fight.