As we approach Easter, and this will surprise you since I am more mystical than religious, it is a time for rejoicing. I am amazed everyday watching Tony and David thrive as they follow their dreams amongst ruins of losing their brother. Sometimes I am confused how Mike and I muddle through the days but in the end we always have a plan. The plan is to take care of each other.
That plan was set well before children, and long before we met and were married. And it was what brought us together. Simply put it is important take care of each other and those in our lives. It is our underpinnings and has always been our message to our sons. After twenty years with Joe and nineteen years with Tony and David I can sit back, relax because those values that we brought to our marriage have rubbed off and stuck to our sons.
So grateful is what I feel this Easter season.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
My David
I always call him 'my David" since I have a brother with the same name. Tonight this is about "my David".
It easy to get caught up with a two time All American diver but it is a very different thing to wrap your arms around a son that is following a dream that only a few are successful. Friends ooh and aaah about Tony wanting to be a doctor and his diving. And then ask what will David do while he is writing. That is the thing he is going to write and not be something else until he writes. He wants to be a writer.
His Writing Fellows teacher at McCallie, who has published a book, was at a reading not long ago. One of the questions referenced her guidance to students who want to be writers. She answered that there has only been one student that expressed that interest and he introduced me at my very first book reading. That was My David.
He may not set records but I know I will be the first to say "I knew him when".
It easy to get caught up with a two time All American diver but it is a very different thing to wrap your arms around a son that is following a dream that only a few are successful. Friends ooh and aaah about Tony wanting to be a doctor and his diving. And then ask what will David do while he is writing. That is the thing he is going to write and not be something else until he writes. He wants to be a writer.
His Writing Fellows teacher at McCallie, who has published a book, was at a reading not long ago. One of the questions referenced her guidance to students who want to be writers. She answered that there has only been one student that expressed that interest and he introduced me at my very first book reading. That was My David.
He may not set records but I know I will be the first to say "I knew him when".
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Health Care
The great debate is churning at the Supreme Court about the Health Care plan set forth by Obama. And I had made a promise not to make this blog a political platform, but honestly I can't let this one pass without a word or two.
As you all know Joe was sick for a long time. And we ran out of insurance to cover his treatments. In his Senior year of high school his cancer recurred. Our decision at that point was not when do we start treatment but rather where do we find insurance to cover his treatments, and at five figures for each chemotherapy that was a consideration. We were presented with health coverage for him for everything but his cancer. We were forced to apply for Medicaid and Disability for Joe. So many warned us that his care would be less than we knew. You know what they were wrong. Joe's protocols were administered in the same hospital and his oncologist never changed.
My twin sons suffer from asthma and Tony has diabetes. Without the exclusion of pre-exisitig conditions they will never qualify for health insurance. Their opportunities in the future will be limited to only places that will insure them within a group plan. Something to think about.
I am amazed that I have one at UChicago and was made to buy a student health plan because he was "out of network" at the tune of three thousand dollars a year; and I have one in Scotland that his plan covers everything, including medicine, with no charge.
Hmmm...something to think about during the great debate of our civil liberties.
As you all know Joe was sick for a long time. And we ran out of insurance to cover his treatments. In his Senior year of high school his cancer recurred. Our decision at that point was not when do we start treatment but rather where do we find insurance to cover his treatments, and at five figures for each chemotherapy that was a consideration. We were presented with health coverage for him for everything but his cancer. We were forced to apply for Medicaid and Disability for Joe. So many warned us that his care would be less than we knew. You know what they were wrong. Joe's protocols were administered in the same hospital and his oncologist never changed.
My twin sons suffer from asthma and Tony has diabetes. Without the exclusion of pre-exisitig conditions they will never qualify for health insurance. Their opportunities in the future will be limited to only places that will insure them within a group plan. Something to think about.
I am amazed that I have one at UChicago and was made to buy a student health plan because he was "out of network" at the tune of three thousand dollars a year; and I have one in Scotland that his plan covers everything, including medicine, with no charge.
Hmmm...something to think about during the great debate of our civil liberties.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Robert Alan "Bob" Wilson
I only met him once at Joe's graduation in 2008. But I know his daughter Susie who has been working tirelessly to keep his dream alive of a special needs boarding school in Keswick, Virginia. It was a vision that he and his wife Libby followed. After so many years of building it up from a few students around their kitchen table to housing many more boarding students it is a miracle and a blessing to families that need this support.
Today I learned Bob passed away and I know without a doubt so many will miss him and his loving leadership. As I said before I only met him once and his presence was huge. Not unlike his daughter Susie who without a thought or question will carry on his vision with the same strong and loving leadership.
Please keep this family in your prayers.
Today I learned Bob passed away and I know without a doubt so many will miss him and his loving leadership. As I said before I only met him once and his presence was huge. Not unlike his daughter Susie who without a thought or question will carry on his vision with the same strong and loving leadership.
Please keep this family in your prayers.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Shine
Tonight was a shining moment. I sat in the Knight Theater in Charlotte, NC and experienced the most shining three hours of the North Carolina Dance Theater Dance Company perform Sleeping Beauty. These finely tuned dancers were beautiful and impeccable. Everything was more then expected.
And I wonder when the "more than expected" come from our sons do I give it the well deserved "shine". Did I bask in their accomplishments? Yes, I do since in my eyes they are far greater than myself and reach for brighter stars.
And I wonder when the "more than expected" come from our sons do I give it the well deserved "shine". Did I bask in their accomplishments? Yes, I do since in my eyes they are far greater than myself and reach for brighter stars.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Light
I don't know if it was the trip to McCallie, the long walk today or just that I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I was happy for the first time in two years. I laughed out loud. I stood straight and strong, my eyes were not puffy and I was interested in connecting with other people.
Does this mean I am seeing the light at the end of the longest, darkest tunnel named in the honor of grief? Will the darkness come back, most surely it will during milestones of Tony and David's lives or during the holidays; but for now I will bask in the light.
Does this mean I am seeing the light at the end of the longest, darkest tunnel named in the honor of grief? Will the darkness come back, most surely it will during milestones of Tony and David's lives or during the holidays; but for now I will bask in the light.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)