It’s the little things that matter

Everyone knows kids can say the darndest things. They can make liars out of us and make us laugh like no one else! Their questions can be quite confusing but to them the answer should be quite simple. Where do babies come from? The question we all get sooner or later. Why is the sky blue, why is the grass green, how do planes fly? All simple questions right? But what happens when you are faced with real questions?

I haven’t wanted to write about this because it is painful to even think about. I’m writing this because I’m at a loss of what to say…those words of wisdom aren’t coming to me like they used to. I have a friend who I met in the 6th grade, we were close up until I left my home town when I was 15. We reconnected within the last 6 months or so. We literally picked up right were we left off not skipping a beat. She is my age, 29, has 2 beautiful little girls, one in preschool and one in kindergarten. She received the most horrible news she thought she’d never hear….June of this year she was diagnosed with breast cancer, now it is in her brain. She has just finished her last chemo treatment and will have surgery in January. We keep our fingers crossed it is all gone. We all know that brain cancer is bad news and I do all I can to keep her spirits up. She has an incredible support system.

Her daughters are young and don’t understand. They can’t understand why mom can’t go play at the park. They don’t understand that a low blood cell count is dangerous during cancer treatments and hers is too low to leave her house. Her youngest asks for a sister for Christmas…she has to explain that’s it just impossible but it’s more complicated than usual. How much do you tell them?? They are so young. She says…because I said so! That seems to work right now! It really does kill her though inside. She has tried very hard to keep the conversation light when the girls are around but they are picking up on things. They see her in so much pain and there are days, weeks, she can’t even pick them up. They ask questions…why is mom losing her hair, why can’t mom come play?

She had her 1st parent/teacher conference and was thankful she was alive to make it. She isn’t preparing to die, she is fighting to live. So many things we take for granted. The little things, playing in the park, taking our children to school, watching them in their 1st play.

This is more of a reminder to be thankful for every tantrum, attitude and dramatic melt down,  for every laugh, smile, cry. Be thankful that today all you have is a neck ache, or an upset stomach, it could be far worse. Be thankful that your hair only needs a trim or colored, or maybe it’s not going right for you. Be thankful, don’t take it for granted because in one blink of an eye it can be taken from you.

I hold out for a miracle cure for cancer, I know many that do. I know deep down in my heart she will survive this and continue being the best mom she always has been. She’ll be the same Karo I’ve known for 15 years! She will come see me and we will make new memories.