Brain Shit
Some of my friends may remember hearing me talk about Noah–he’s my son’s BFFHS (Best Friend From Hebrew School). When my boy was at PCH Noah and his family visited nearly every Sunday right after Hebrew School. They’d bring Noah to hang with my boy and their youngest daughter Ali to visit with my daughters to keep them company. Any way…so now Noah’s mom, Shelli, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. I found out about a week and a half ago and today found out that Shelli is having surgery Monday morning.
And have I called to say, "What can I do to help?" No. And why not? Because I couldn’t figure out what to say. Ummm….hello, I know a thing or two (but not much more) about brain tumors and scary shit and how much families of sick people need other people for support, food, and just being there. But, alas, I have done nothing. But this is not about me (one of the few times anyone will ever hear me admit this).
What I want to do is remind Shelli to look at my boy and see how he’s come so far from that horrible time nearly two years ago. And so if he can have a chunk of brain removed and be doing so well when for awhile he was doing so crappy, then by golly (isn’t that a fun phrase?) then she will be to! Because her son, the beautiful boy of hers who stood up in a synagogue to ask for prayers for his friend then, does not–at age 11ish–need to be standing up again–this time for his mother. She will be fine. And she will learn like we did how strong and caring her kids are. And how much her friends care and will cook for her and remember that she keeps Kosher and if she hates tomatoes that look like tomatoes or whatever her food things are. I already emailed the friend who is organizing meals. I may not cook Kosher for my own family, but if that’s what hers wants I’ll be at Segal’s or Imperial Kosher Market and picking up a slightly feathered chicken or whatever they want for dinner.
Wishing my son’s BFFHS’ mom a fast and full recovery and that the only memory problems she has (that was one of her concerns in an email she sent out) are her forgetting that I didn’t call…
And have I called to say, "What can I do to help?" No. And why not? Because I couldn’t figure out what to say. Ummm….hello, I know a thing or two (but not much more) about brain tumors and scary shit and how much families of sick people need other people for support, food, and just being there. But, alas, I have done nothing. But this is not about me (one of the few times anyone will ever hear me admit this).
What I want to do is remind Shelli to look at my boy and see how he’s come so far from that horrible time nearly two years ago. And so if he can have a chunk of brain removed and be doing so well when for awhile he was doing so crappy, then by golly (isn’t that a fun phrase?) then she will be to! Because her son, the beautiful boy of hers who stood up in a synagogue to ask for prayers for his friend then, does not–at age 11ish–need to be standing up again–this time for his mother. She will be fine. And she will learn like we did how strong and caring her kids are. And how much her friends care and will cook for her and remember that she keeps Kosher and if she hates tomatoes that look like tomatoes or whatever her food things are. I already emailed the friend who is organizing meals. I may not cook Kosher for my own family, but if that’s what hers wants I’ll be at Segal’s or Imperial Kosher Market and picking up a slightly feathered chicken or whatever they want for dinner.
Wishing my son’s BFFHS’ mom a fast and full recovery and that the only memory problems she has (that was one of her concerns in an email she sent out) are her forgetting that I didn’t call…
Please email me Shelli’s email or address?
Thank you so much & stop making me cry!
Rachel
Comment by Rachel Boegner — October 31, 2008 @ 8:40 pm