It didn't make sense. She has two little girls ages 1 and 3 from whom she has never been apart. It wasn't logical. She has fibromyalgia and travel is very painful and draining. It wasn't reasonable. Who has an extra couple hundred dollars laying around to spend on a whim for which you will have nothing concrete to show? Besides, its not exactly easy or particularly safe to be doing such a thing alone.
Yet she insisted, despite the fact that she had never done such a thing before in her life. She had to convince everyone that she could and should drive by herself all the way from North Carolina, leaving her daughters behind, to New York just to support me in my cancer battle.
Why would she want to do that? Was it wise? I voiced my concerns, but she was undaunted. With Kiel away for a few weeks, she felt it was important that she come and help even though I am not yet helpless. It's what families do.
Yes, it is.
I held my breath while she drove up, the boys providing regular progress reports as she and DJ texted - she's in Virginia, now in Pennsylvania, finally in New York. It was gruelingly slow for her. What for us is an 11 hour drive took 18 hours with all the stopping to accommodate her aching joints. Tired but happy, she arrived and I hugged her. How proud I am of her accomplishment! What courage and sacrifice - how amazing that she put her own needs and concerns on the back burner and overcame so much just to be here with me! I am amazed and blessed.
She did all those cleaning things that girls understand and do so well (and that the boys never have quite mastered). She was very helpful. I appreciated the assist. And we talked. About nothing and everything. About her Mom who passed away from cancer last year. About her willingness to take Drew into her home if I don't make it. About girl stuff and wife stuff and daughter stuff. It was very satisfying and felt great to have someone to chew the fat with.
Too soon it was time for her to go. She was taking Drew home with her for a little mini-vacation for him. Once again I prayed and held my breath while she worked her way into Pennsylvania and Virginia and finally, finally, finally safely into the arms of her waiting girls and exhausted husband!
Now there's something you don't encounter everyday. An act of selfless caring that comes at great price. Perhaps she ended up with something better than some pricey gadget. She made an investment in our futures and set an example her children will be hard pressed to miss. Her actions clearly say that when there is a family member in crisis, love makes all the difference.
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