Through out everything in my mom's life, I have never heard her complain about pain. In fact, it sometimes felt like she reveled in it. Be it physical or emotional, it seemed at times as if she welcomed pain. One time I watched her drop a glass ash tray on her big toe, breaking it (the toe). She just said "ouch, that was stupid" and kept on working through the pain.
Maybe it was the only emotion she understood, or maybe it was the only one that she allowed to exist. I believe, however, that through out her life, pain was all she would allow herself to experience.
Recently, my mom has begun to cope with the truth that after the chemotherapy, there is no other course of treatment. Her cancer has spread to both lungs and a liver (as far as I know), and she is indigent so surgery is not an option. We are lucky that we found the clinical trial, or we wouldn't even be having this discussion. Neadless to say, once the chemo is done, that is it.
I called her today. Here is a summary of our conversation:
Erin: "Hey Mom! Whatcha doin."
Mom: "Trying to eat...but can't. Today is not a good day. I am up and down."
Erin: "I hate to hear that."
Mom: "Yesterday, I was running a fever and throwing up. I couldn't get out of bed..not even to go to the bathroom."
Erin: "God. I wish I could help you."
Mom: "This happens every time Erin. I will get better."
Erin: "I know, but..well you know"
Mom: "It's a good kind of hurt. I know it's working when I hurt."
Erin: "I just called to tell you to have a good day and I love you."
Mom: "I am glad you did. I just saw where Audrie called. I won't be up much more today. So I will talk to you tomorrow."
This week was the last "scheduled" treatment for her. The doctors have told her that if the cancer is still shrinking, they will give her a couple more treatments. I find it ironic that I chose to blog about the show "In Treatment" and how it only has a few shows left for my last blog. I guess, everything does have purpose or reason. Interesting.
Meanwhile, mom keeps on working, right through the hurt.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Carrot, Egg and Coffee
I was putting together some materials for a training on motiviation and perception that I will be doing soon and stumbled across this classic. Although found all over the internet, and broadly shared, it is still a good reminder. Enjoy!
Carrot, Egg and Coffee...
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see.
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.
The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
My challenge to myself and to each of you this week is to think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Either way, our perspective is comprised of our past experiences and supports, will always cloud our reactions to challenges and also who we become when the challenge is complete. With that in mind, we have more control over who we will become in our future than who others think we will be or even are currently. That awareness shapes our responses and also the reactions from others.
My mother, sister and I have faced tons of challenges both individually and as a family, several of which could (and some would say should) have shattered our family. The amazing thing is that every single one has brought us closer together and subsequently further apart from who we once were or who we once pereceived ourselves as being.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. Or as my Uncle Bobby always said: "Erin, may you have everything you need and a little of what you want..at least then you will be happy but still have something to strive for."
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Have a great week.
Erin
Carrot, Egg and Coffee...
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see.
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.
The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
My challenge to myself and to each of you this week is to think of this: Which am I?
Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
Either way, our perspective is comprised of our past experiences and supports, will always cloud our reactions to challenges and also who we become when the challenge is complete. With that in mind, we have more control over who we will become in our future than who others think we will be or even are currently. That awareness shapes our responses and also the reactions from others.
My mother, sister and I have faced tons of challenges both individually and as a family, several of which could (and some would say should) have shattered our family. The amazing thing is that every single one has brought us closer together and subsequently further apart from who we once were or who we once pereceived ourselves as being.
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy. Or as my Uncle Bobby always said: "Erin, may you have everything you need and a little of what you want..at least then you will be happy but still have something to strive for."
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
Have a great week.
Erin
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Thanks, but I really don't pay
Ever have one of those periods of time where everything just seems a little "off". You know, where you have a tough time seeing the positive in your interactions with others? The last few days have definitely been one for me.
On Monday, after months of coughing and headaches, I went into my doctor's office and demanded that they test me for something other than allergies. After the subsequent poking and prodding and an x-ray, I learned that I had walking pneumonia and had to miss one of my favorite excuses to dance and enjoy adult beverages, St. Patrick's day. I was also warned that if I didn't stay home and rest, I would be put in the hospital. Interesting, I wonder if they give you Flonase® for a ruptured spleen in the hospital if you don't tell them you have a ruptured spleen?
On Tuesday, I got a call from my mom. Before she received her cancer diagnosis, she lost her home to foreclosure and her only mode of transportation was repossessed. She relocated to a former workshop next to Aunt Hel's home in Scotland, Texas.
Here is a picture of the outside:
And one of the inside:
Her new home has electricity but no running water or phone service. One of the hardest things I have had to come to terms with over the last few months, is that this is my mom's home, and nothing I can do right now can change that fact.
On Monday, she found out that the person she was getting her phone service from was going to probably pull out. She wanted to know if I could add her to my plan. Imagine the problematic conversation when I tried to explain the complex rules of cell phone math to her. Let's just say that I ended up simply stating "I love you mom, and will take care of it." Not wanting to open up a new plan of service, I had hoped I could just add another line to my current plan. However, I didn't have an extra phone.
Once again, I was amazed by the charity of people. I got her call on Tuesday, and subsequently sent an email to all the staff in our agency to see who had a "Sprint enabled phone" that I could send her. I got over 15 phones and even more replies that included "Erin, I want to help but my server isn't Sprint" or " Erin, I just gave my old phone away..I wish I would have kept it."
Before I go into detail about the frustration factor of the day, I would like to say Thank you to everyone who gave me your old phone and also to those of you who simply wish you could.
Fast forward to Friday, I went down to the local Sprint store and dumped all the phones out on the table. I then proceeded to explain that I wanted to activate one and add it to my current line of service. Heck, I even told them they could pick the one they wanted to activate (after all it was Good Friday). After explaining no less than 3 times that I did not want or need a new phone, that I simply wanted to add a line to my current plan, and that I did in deed just want to use one of the ones laying out before us, the customer service representative called the magic phone fairy at some place I refer to as the secret headquarters of Sprint, and they conversed for about 39 minutes and 22 seconds regarding my "situation". Then and only then I was told that Sprint no longer allows one to "simply add a line of service" without entering into a brand new contract.
I usually pride myself on my ability to remain calm and collected when confronted with complicated situations. This was not one of those moments. Rather than embarrassing my self by re-depicting the scene, I will just say it all with the following picture that does a good job of summarizing the event:
On Saturday, Petey and I did our normal cruise around the area to get our coffee and tacos. The day started out relatively sunny as I got my vente coffee with hazelnut syrup and Petey got his chocolate flavored milk bone. We then went to the taco place, ordered our breakfast, and then pulled up to the drive through window when I was greeted, rather gruffly by the server. She grinned as she turned around and took my money. However, her T-shirt made me take pause.
In big bold letters it first read, "THANKS!". I began to grin thinking that was a nice way to market your store, but then I read on. In lower case letters and in a smaller font than the rest of the shirt said,"but I really don't care." Wow! What a honest depiction of the service industry.
Imagine her surprise when I took my food and said, "THANKS", grin, "but I really don't pay."
On Monday, after months of coughing and headaches, I went into my doctor's office and demanded that they test me for something other than allergies. After the subsequent poking and prodding and an x-ray, I learned that I had walking pneumonia and had to miss one of my favorite excuses to dance and enjoy adult beverages, St. Patrick's day. I was also warned that if I didn't stay home and rest, I would be put in the hospital. Interesting, I wonder if they give you Flonase® for a ruptured spleen in the hospital if you don't tell them you have a ruptured spleen?
On Tuesday, I got a call from my mom. Before she received her cancer diagnosis, she lost her home to foreclosure and her only mode of transportation was repossessed. She relocated to a former workshop next to Aunt Hel's home in Scotland, Texas.
Here is a picture of the outside:
And one of the inside:
Her new home has electricity but no running water or phone service. One of the hardest things I have had to come to terms with over the last few months, is that this is my mom's home, and nothing I can do right now can change that fact.
On Monday, she found out that the person she was getting her phone service from was going to probably pull out. She wanted to know if I could add her to my plan. Imagine the problematic conversation when I tried to explain the complex rules of cell phone math to her. Let's just say that I ended up simply stating "I love you mom, and will take care of it." Not wanting to open up a new plan of service, I had hoped I could just add another line to my current plan. However, I didn't have an extra phone.
Once again, I was amazed by the charity of people. I got her call on Tuesday, and subsequently sent an email to all the staff in our agency to see who had a "Sprint enabled phone" that I could send her. I got over 15 phones and even more replies that included "Erin, I want to help but my server isn't Sprint" or " Erin, I just gave my old phone away..I wish I would have kept it."
Before I go into detail about the frustration factor of the day, I would like to say Thank you to everyone who gave me your old phone and also to those of you who simply wish you could.
Fast forward to Friday, I went down to the local Sprint store and dumped all the phones out on the table. I then proceeded to explain that I wanted to activate one and add it to my current line of service. Heck, I even told them they could pick the one they wanted to activate (after all it was Good Friday). After explaining no less than 3 times that I did not want or need a new phone, that I simply wanted to add a line to my current plan, and that I did in deed just want to use one of the ones laying out before us, the customer service representative called the magic phone fairy at some place I refer to as the secret headquarters of Sprint, and they conversed for about 39 minutes and 22 seconds regarding my "situation". Then and only then I was told that Sprint no longer allows one to "simply add a line of service" without entering into a brand new contract.
I usually pride myself on my ability to remain calm and collected when confronted with complicated situations. This was not one of those moments. Rather than embarrassing my self by re-depicting the scene, I will just say it all with the following picture that does a good job of summarizing the event:
On Saturday, Petey and I did our normal cruise around the area to get our coffee and tacos. The day started out relatively sunny as I got my vente coffee with hazelnut syrup and Petey got his chocolate flavored milk bone. We then went to the taco place, ordered our breakfast, and then pulled up to the drive through window when I was greeted, rather gruffly by the server. She grinned as she turned around and took my money. However, her T-shirt made me take pause.
In big bold letters it first read, "THANKS!". I began to grin thinking that was a nice way to market your store, but then I read on. In lower case letters and in a smaller font than the rest of the shirt said,"but I really don't care." Wow! What a honest depiction of the service industry.
Imagine her surprise when I took my food and said, "THANKS", grin, "but I really don't pay."
Monday, March 17, 2008
We've Shattered the Earth Enough
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Usually right about now I would be heading home after a long day of pub crawling on mountain bikes with my friends. We usually park around 15th street, and ride around down town hitting all the Irish pubs (and a few English ones as well), before cruisin' through the Capitol and finally parking for the day at the Dog and the Duck Pub which holds its annual St. Patrick's day fundraiser for the local Fire Department.
Usually right about now I would be heading home after a long day of pub crawling on mountain bikes with my friends. We usually park around 15th street, and ride around down town hitting all the Irish pubs (and a few English ones as well), before cruisin' through the Capitol and finally parking for the day at the Dog and the Duck Pub which holds its annual St. Patrick's day fundraiser for the local Fire Department.
This is us going through the capital after a few pints in 2004.
And a few of us posing in front of the port-a-potties from an unknown origin in 2004 (obviously the adult beverages made this seem like a good idea at the time).
And last, but definitely not least, our group in front of Mother Eagan's Irish Pub (can you tell I am missing my ride?)
This has been a tradition for the last 7 years. Unfortunately, however, I haven't been feeling very well. For the last few weeks, I have been waking up with a serious migraine and a terrible cough. As is typical for Austin, TX, my Doctor kept telling me I had an allergy and prescribing me one antihistamine after another. Seriously, I think that in this city, you can walk into the doctor's office with a broken leg and they would tell you it was an allergy.
Making a long story (and future blog post) short, I finally found out today that I have something they call "Walking Pneumonia". I'm not really sure what the difference is between walking pneumonia and crawling pneumonia, but either way, I feel like crud and am going stir crazy sitting at home. Especially during one of my favorite holidays.
So, I called mom. The following is a transcript of our discussion:
Mom: "Hey Erin."
Erin: "Hey mom, whatcha doin?"
Mom: "Just got home. About to get something to eat. You didn't catch me eating like normal" laughs.
Erin: "Good. Got home from the Doctor's office a few minutes ago, and have been cooped up all day. I just thought I would give you a call."
Mom: "Glad you did. I got your care package today. Thank you. Everything okay?"
Erin: "Yeah. I guess I have been pushing myself a little too hard. They told me today that I have walking pneumonia."
Mom. "I figured something had to be up with you if you weren't out with your friends."
Erin: "I know. I am not up to anything too Earth shattering."
Mom: "Ha! I think we have shattered the earth enough. With all those cards I got, I think we gave the cosmos a run for its money."
Erin: "That's true. Did you get any more today?"
Mom: "Actually, I did. I got one today. I think I am up to over 2000 now!"
Erin: "Great! How are you feeling?"
Mom: "Well, the Doctor says that my blood isn't rebounding as quick as it should."
Erin: "Geeze..if it ain't one thing, it's another. Are you going to have to go back in?"
Mom: "No, I don't think so. But, I am suppose to have chemo again next week, and if it doesn't pick up, they will have to post pone it. I don't want anything to get in the way of fighting this cancer."
Erin: "Don't worry mom. We have a lot of Earth shattering left to do. That Cancer is not going to get in the way."
Mom: "Thanks Erin, I love you."
Erin: "Love you too. Now my turn to go to bed and get better."
Mom: "Easter is next Sunday. You will be better by then. I know it. Love and good night."
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Monday on Saturday?:Having Fun with Unbalance
Ever had one of those weeks where every day bled into the next? Sure you have. I could have swore when I woke up this morning, it was still Monday. Imagine my freak out factor when I was half dressed in my suit, cup of coffee in my hand, and my dog, and both cats were sitting in the middle of the kitchen looking up at me.
Normally, I would have thought they just wanted food, or water, or (heaven forbid) attention. No, that wasn't the case, they were giving me the "I want my Saturday food" face, and Fluffy was being especially adamant: "Meow, MEOW, MEEEOOOW!, MEEEEEEEOOOOOW!!!!! (Interpretation, 'Tuna, Now!')". You get the picture. I couldn't figure it out and thought that my pets were really suffering from some major Erin neglect until I went to turn on my favorite local news channel to get the traffic updates.
And here was Petey today and one of him in the yard last year:
Normally, I would have thought they just wanted food, or water, or (heaven forbid) attention. No, that wasn't the case, they were giving me the "I want my Saturday food" face, and Fluffy was being especially adamant: "Meow, MEOW, MEEEOOOW!, MEEEEEEEOOOOOW!!!!! (Interpretation, 'Tuna, Now!')". You get the picture. I couldn't figure it out and thought that my pets were really suffering from some major Erin neglect until I went to turn on my favorite local news channel to get the traffic updates.
Here I am, half suit, half coffee, two cats and a dog tugging at my side, it is 6:30 am and all I see on my local news and traffic channel is Dora the Explorer. Okay...Dora doesn't normally give me my news...curious, I looked around the room. Hmm. the time is right. What the heck? I flipped through the local channels...no news. Hmm..the situation grew curiouser and curiouser. I then went into my office, and pulled up my Office Outlook. Once all the male enhancement adds and Panama Offshore accounts downloaded, I finally got to my new emails and calendar. I pulled up "today", it was Saturday. Duh ...is a mild interpretation of what I said next. So much for sleeping in.
I decided to just embrace it and take some pics of the kids. The timing is perfect as mom will be getting a chance very soon to view and potentially contribute to the blog in the next few weeks and has never gotten to see her two granddaughters and grandson.
Here is Fluffy letting me know she is none to pleased.
Although she has the temperament of a 2 year old who just got told no, she has an intellectual side as well:
And here was Petey today and one of him in the yard last year:
I guess he thinks his left is the best pose? What a divo!
And last, but not least, the queen of the house, Bianca.
This morning guarding "her room", otherwise known as my office:
And in her favorite chair:
I noticed doing this blog that I spend a lot of time and energy understanding my pets and their different communication patterns and needs..but with people, I get inpatient and expect them to communicate with me in the same style that I do, to speak fast and get to the point quickly, and heaven forbid, to be honest. Wouldn't the world be an easier place to live if everyone communicated the same way, took the time to understand each other, and was honest? Fact is, we don't. But what we can do is try our best on an individual basis, and maybe the people we run into will be as lucky as our pets, to receive our undivided attempt to understand no matter what the message is.
Here is one of my favorite videos that I use when I conduct trainings on communication. View it, and figure out who is the aggressor and who is the responder.
Most folks, when they view this video, assume the black kitten is the aggressor and the orange cat the receiver. Actually, the reverse is true. The black kitten is trying to get the orange's attention, and is doing so in the only manner she knows that the orangie will respond..aggressively. She is modifying her communication patten in order to illicit a response from the orange cat. However, by modifying her behavior and working to solidify a communication from the orange cat, the little kitten gets attacked as a by product. This serves as a good lesson in life. We should modify our communication as much as it takes to get our point across, but not too much as to lose our identity and the intent in the original message. Also, sometimes, we should not try too hard..for some of the folks we communicate with, may only want to fight. The test is to know the balance, and to have fun with those who are unbalanced.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Invest Wisely This Week!
Imagine there is a bank, which credits your account each morning with $86,400, carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every penney, of course! Well, everyone has such a bank. Its name is Time. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the records of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against "tomorrow." Therefore, there is never not enough time or too much time. Time management is decided by us alone and nobody else. It is never the case of us not having enough time to do things, but the case of whether we want to do it, and, whether we are willing to prioritize our time to maximize its benefit to us.
Invest wisely this week!
Invest wisely this week!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The Video of the Celebration
I went home last weekend and captured some video of my mother when she didn't know it. I have tried all week to upload it to this blog, and think I have finally figured it out. The following link sends you to an image of my mother and I engaged in the 3rd candle blowing out escapade of her birthday. She was pretty tired, but wanted to do all she could for the people who wrote in about her. This footage is taken at Huie's house, which just happens to be my old family home from the late 80's but that is for later discussion, and is fun either way. Here is the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxDOAZTA4Pg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxDOAZTA4Pg
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
I wish Ann were here.
When I was visiting with my mom last weekend, we talked about the presidential race and how great it was that she has lived long enough to potentially see the first female president. Over the past year, as Hillary Clinton has emerged as the first serious female contender for President of the United States, a lot of us in Texas have said the same thing: "I wish Ann were here."
Ann Richards would be riding high right about now. Because whatever happens today, this is a historic time for women. And Ann had a lot to do with getting us here.
Most everybody in Texas has an Ann Richards story. I remember watching her gubernatorial inauguration, when she led a parade down Congress Avenue to the capitol building. For young professional women such as my mother and us new breed of young professionals, she was a symbol of hope in a state where good ol' boys had always been in charge. Since she carried the women's vote by 60 percent, seems that a lot of those good ol' boys' wives voted for Ann.
Ann had already made an impression on the rest of the country. At the 1988 Democratic National Convention, her opening remarks included a sound bite that is Ann at her best.
"Twelve years ago Barbara Jordan, another Texas woman, Barbara made the keynote address to this convention, and two women in a hundred and sixty years is about par for the course. But if you give us a chance, we can perform. After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels."The whole speech is a gem. Take a listen when you have a few minutes. Get ready to be inspired — and irritated that so much of what the Republicans were doing 20 years ago, they're still doing today. Same song, second Bush.
A few days ago, mom told me she always wanted Ann to be president, with Molly Ivins as White House spokesperson. What an administration! We'd actually look forward to the State of the Union address.
Molly herself said that if Ann had been 10 years younger, she could've been president. Instead, she spent her career using her fabulous wit and down-to-earth manner to combat sexism and racism. And at every juncture, she'd step back, smile, and say, "Idn't it wonderful?"
This week, the Hillary campaign in Texas put together a video with highlights from Ann Richards' career. It has sparked controversy, since it assumes Ann would've campaigned for her friend Hillary. Ann's youngest daughter, Ellen, thinks that indeed she would. In a statement, she said, "I believe that if my mom were alive today that she would be stumping across Texas and around the country supporting Hillary for president."
Click this link to view the video: http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1434034576
Ann's boys, Dan and Clark, aren't so sure. "As her children, we never presumed to know her mind when she was alive and we are not prepared to make a claim as to who she would endorse or what she would do if she were still with us." Fair enough. Predictable, Ann was not.
The blogosphere is ablaze with opinions on both sides. Hillary supporters, especially women, think the video is a grand tribute to Ann and to the progress of women. Obama supporters are outraged that Hillary claims endorsement from a dead person (apparently forgetting that Barack never shies from invoking the spirit of JFK).
Would Ann have supported Hillary? We can't know. My suspicion is that if Ann were alive, Hillary would be a much different candidate, thanks to a straight-shooting friend who got in her face when she veered off-course. And Ann wouldn't have hesitated for a minute to call out the media for its sexism.
One thing's for sure. Ann would have been tickled to death that the choice for the Democratic nomination is between two of the most underepresented subsets of society, a woman and an African American. I can almost hear her, watching the debates, taking it all in and saying, "Idn't it wonderful?" And you know, it really is.
Monday, March 3, 2008
And the winner is...1292 and counting
So the best that I can do is give you the lyrics below and reference the artist:
The Last Song: Terri Hendrix
written by Bill Mallonee and Julie Miller copy right 1997
written by Bill Mallonee and Julie Miller copy right 1997
May your peace be an anchor
In stormy times
May your hope run like a river
That'll never run dry
May your burdens grow light
May your worries subside
This is my prayer for you
May your soul grow deep
May your soul grow deep
May your joy run wild
May your heart know the face of mercy has smiled
May your faith come to let you believe like a child
This is my prayer for you
This is my prayer for you
One of the best songs ever written, and sung beautifully. Find it, play it, buy it. Great artist and great song.
Okay, with that being said, let me discuss my weekend with my mom on her birthday. Let's just say that there were so many sound bites and moments, that I can't possibly include them all in this blog. Instead of focusing on my lessons so much, I will dedicate this blog to what everyone wants to know: how is she, and how many cards did she get. The following picture is of my mother and cousin sorting through the photos in an attempt to get a final "official" count. We had a running bet somewhere between 800 and 1500. Here is Patricia and mom sorting cards. We had only been out of the car and off the road 10 minutes when mom put us to work. I was cooking and Patricia was assigned the task of sorting:
And the aftermath scene played out as follows:
Mom really loved the cards from the elementary students. Most were sent from the Freeman school district in the Dallas area:
And finally here she is amongst all 1292 cards that everyone sent! Thank you everyone! You have no idea how much this meant to her and our family. Read beyond the pics for further updates.
My mother has become someone I never knew her capable of being, loving, humble and spiritual. I am blessed to have this opportunity to rediscover my mom, and for the opportunity for her to get to rediscover me. If you haven't had this opportunity with your own parent(s), this is my prayer for you.
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