Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
the call between prayers
I held the phone in my hand listening carefully to the voice on the other end. She spoke slowly with a bit of a rasp. Announcing my name as though it was a matter of importance to her, that I understood, she knew who she was calling. Dropping the white sport socks, I had been trying to mate, to the bed, I now paused to give her my full attention. She continued to tell me who she was and why she called. Her words were spoken loud and almost with a happiness, that she had managed to reach me with ease. Very deliberate, and genuine she chose the words that would touch my heart.
I had been battling earlier in the week, with sorrow and sadness. My heart heavily fought back at the despair that taunted me inside. I was struggling with another phase of Duchenne, as I accepted my middle son Cody was no longer able to get up from the floor himself and was beginning to lose the ability to climb up and down stairs, independently. Amongst the sadness, that was attempting to grasp at me from another day in the Duchenne world, I was also, struggling with the deep demise of my marriage. Heartache and loneliness screamed at me from all sides. Fear of what was ahead for us echoed through my mind, as the crashing of my world slowly played out before me.
I had awoken that morning determined to get through my daily duties of caring for my three sons and running my house, without tears. Zealously I wanted to be the strength that would carry my sons and I from the hurt were just beginning to accept into our lives. It was summer the sun shined bright in the sky. A warm breeze filled the upstairs room where I had been sorting laundry. My children were happily busy building with Lego's one floor directly below me. Through my open window their laughter escaped up to me, from where they played. I felt comfort knowing somehow amidst all the madness that had entered in to our lives it was the sound of joy that I was hearing from my beautiful sons.
The image of the voice speaking to me on the phone flashed through my mind. I could see her smiling warm friendly face as though she was in front of me now. Very sweetly she asked " How are the boys, this is Marlene". I recognized her voice almost the instant she told me her name. I paused momentarily with question after question flooding my mind. Marlene was a friend of my deceased mother. The last time I had actually seen Marlene was at my wedding, 12 years ago. The last time I had heard the mention of Marlene's name in my world was at my mothers funeral. Marlene, one of my mothers dearest friends was unable to attend because she was recovering from a loss of a limb in her battle with cancer. Here, she was now some 8 years later calling me, out of the blue. I had moved since my mothers death. How could she have my new number I wondered . She also used the word sons. When my mother passed away years ago I had one son, and had just learned myself that I was expecting. I had not announced it to anyone, other than my two sisters at that time. I continued to listen, as she gave me the words I needed to hear.
Almost as though she was reading my thoughts she spoke to me. Shakily I answered her back. "My boys are good" I replied. Laughter from downstairs reached my ears just as I spoke into the phone. The sounds filled my heart with joy. Without hesitating she said "your mom is with you now" and then continued. "She knows your pain and that you are scared." "You will get through this, she is with you at your side." She added. I turned to look at the photo of my mother that sat next to my bed. The photo I talked to daily, the photo that I cried to some nights. In silence I held the phone. A single tear rolling down my cheek. Taking a deep breath I started to ask her why she called. "Your tears are from love not fear." She said so confident. Almost as though she wanted to convince me. She then told me she had been praying this morning with a priest at her home. Very clearly she said, she heard our Lords voice tell her to call me while praying. I wiped at the stream of tears that now fell freely from my eyes. Almost choking on my sobs I managed to ask her why me. Why would God tell her to call me, I had to know. So effortlessly she said, she was dying. She had only days left. I stammered, I was sorry. She cut my words off, and said. " No sweetie, I am happy. I will be with God very soon, do not be sorry for me. This is why I am speaking to you now. He hears your sorrow. He loves you. He believes in you". " Marlene" I said softly in the phone. "I am not my mom I do not have her strength". "Rita" she said softly to me "You have your mother, Jesus and me with you on this journey. " You will find strength from your unconditional love for your sons."
Before Marlene hung up she told me she loved me and asked if she could have my number to call and check on me again. I told her she must already have my number because she was the one who called me. With laughter she said "no Jesus dialed the phone for me.". I gave Marlene my number. However I never did hear back from her. A week later I was saddened and shocked to learn through a mutual acquaintance that she had passed away. The day after she spoke to me on the phone she slipped into full unconsciousness and died in her sleep. Marlene's phone call to me earned some attention. Through a chain of acquaintances I learnt her son was particularly interested in hearing about our call because on the day she called me, she was in a semi conscience state most of the day, accept for when her visiting Priest came to pray with her. It would had been impossible for her to call me I was told. But there had a short period of time when she was left alone to rest after praying, It was believed to have been when her call was made. I kept her her call on my caller ID for several years. I would look at it from time to time when I needed a spiritual reminder.
On occasion when I am sad I still turn to my deceased mothers photo and talk to her. I also try in those moments of despair to recall my conversation with Marlene. Marlene never told me my sons would be healed from their terminal disease or that my marriage would not fail. She did not tell me to not be angry or tell me I was a sinner and needed forgiveness. What she did tell me was, I was not ALONE and I was loved. She told me even though I was strong I would know heartbreak and I would cry. I would feel pain but she also said I would find joy with in my sorrow. Most importantly though she told me God believed in me for this journey and loved me even though I was angry at him. Those are simple things,- things we might be taught God might say. But what touches me the most -out of all the people who stayed close to Marlene on her last few days on earth- I was was the last person Marlene had a live conversation with.
So what I took from all of this is, and what I hope to share is, that a dying woman reached out to me to give something of herself to (someone not very connected to her) me, who was hurting. I believe my tears were heard and answered. Not in a way I would have imagined and wanted. I still will have doubts in myself and in the world actually from time to time. I am human, I will still struggle with despair, anger and sorrow. Sometimes I will even fall hard and yell out loudly to heaven. I don't really have any answers to anything except, every now and then when I ask I will hear the words I need to hear. It might be as simple as a call made to me - just for me reminding me in his eyes "I got this". How awesome is that!!!!
I had been battling earlier in the week, with sorrow and sadness. My heart heavily fought back at the despair that taunted me inside. I was struggling with another phase of Duchenne, as I accepted my middle son Cody was no longer able to get up from the floor himself and was beginning to lose the ability to climb up and down stairs, independently. Amongst the sadness, that was attempting to grasp at me from another day in the Duchenne world, I was also, struggling with the deep demise of my marriage. Heartache and loneliness screamed at me from all sides. Fear of what was ahead for us echoed through my mind, as the crashing of my world slowly played out before me.
I had awoken that morning determined to get through my daily duties of caring for my three sons and running my house, without tears. Zealously I wanted to be the strength that would carry my sons and I from the hurt were just beginning to accept into our lives. It was summer the sun shined bright in the sky. A warm breeze filled the upstairs room where I had been sorting laundry. My children were happily busy building with Lego's one floor directly below me. Through my open window their laughter escaped up to me, from where they played. I felt comfort knowing somehow amidst all the madness that had entered in to our lives it was the sound of joy that I was hearing from my beautiful sons.
The image of the voice speaking to me on the phone flashed through my mind. I could see her smiling warm friendly face as though she was in front of me now. Very sweetly she asked " How are the boys, this is Marlene". I recognized her voice almost the instant she told me her name. I paused momentarily with question after question flooding my mind. Marlene was a friend of my deceased mother. The last time I had actually seen Marlene was at my wedding, 12 years ago. The last time I had heard the mention of Marlene's name in my world was at my mothers funeral. Marlene, one of my mothers dearest friends was unable to attend because she was recovering from a loss of a limb in her battle with cancer. Here, she was now some 8 years later calling me, out of the blue. I had moved since my mothers death. How could she have my new number I wondered . She also used the word sons. When my mother passed away years ago I had one son, and had just learned myself that I was expecting. I had not announced it to anyone, other than my two sisters at that time. I continued to listen, as she gave me the words I needed to hear.
Almost as though she was reading my thoughts she spoke to me. Shakily I answered her back. "My boys are good" I replied. Laughter from downstairs reached my ears just as I spoke into the phone. The sounds filled my heart with joy. Without hesitating she said "your mom is with you now" and then continued. "She knows your pain and that you are scared." "You will get through this, she is with you at your side." She added. I turned to look at the photo of my mother that sat next to my bed. The photo I talked to daily, the photo that I cried to some nights. In silence I held the phone. A single tear rolling down my cheek. Taking a deep breath I started to ask her why she called. "Your tears are from love not fear." She said so confident. Almost as though she wanted to convince me. She then told me she had been praying this morning with a priest at her home. Very clearly she said, she heard our Lords voice tell her to call me while praying. I wiped at the stream of tears that now fell freely from my eyes. Almost choking on my sobs I managed to ask her why me. Why would God tell her to call me, I had to know. So effortlessly she said, she was dying. She had only days left. I stammered, I was sorry. She cut my words off, and said. " No sweetie, I am happy. I will be with God very soon, do not be sorry for me. This is why I am speaking to you now. He hears your sorrow. He loves you. He believes in you". " Marlene" I said softly in the phone. "I am not my mom I do not have her strength". "Rita" she said softly to me "You have your mother, Jesus and me with you on this journey. " You will find strength from your unconditional love for your sons."
Before Marlene hung up she told me she loved me and asked if she could have my number to call and check on me again. I told her she must already have my number because she was the one who called me. With laughter she said "no Jesus dialed the phone for me.". I gave Marlene my number. However I never did hear back from her. A week later I was saddened and shocked to learn through a mutual acquaintance that she had passed away. The day after she spoke to me on the phone she slipped into full unconsciousness and died in her sleep. Marlene's phone call to me earned some attention. Through a chain of acquaintances I learnt her son was particularly interested in hearing about our call because on the day she called me, she was in a semi conscience state most of the day, accept for when her visiting Priest came to pray with her. It would had been impossible for her to call me I was told. But there had a short period of time when she was left alone to rest after praying, It was believed to have been when her call was made. I kept her her call on my caller ID for several years. I would look at it from time to time when I needed a spiritual reminder.
On occasion when I am sad I still turn to my deceased mothers photo and talk to her. I also try in those moments of despair to recall my conversation with Marlene. Marlene never told me my sons would be healed from their terminal disease or that my marriage would not fail. She did not tell me to not be angry or tell me I was a sinner and needed forgiveness. What she did tell me was, I was not ALONE and I was loved. She told me even though I was strong I would know heartbreak and I would cry. I would feel pain but she also said I would find joy with in my sorrow. Most importantly though she told me God believed in me for this journey and loved me even though I was angry at him. Those are simple things,- things we might be taught God might say. But what touches me the most -out of all the people who stayed close to Marlene on her last few days on earth- I was was the last person Marlene had a live conversation with.
So what I took from all of this is, and what I hope to share is, that a dying woman reached out to me to give something of herself to (someone not very connected to her) me, who was hurting. I believe my tears were heard and answered. Not in a way I would have imagined and wanted. I still will have doubts in myself and in the world actually from time to time. I am human, I will still struggle with despair, anger and sorrow. Sometimes I will even fall hard and yell out loudly to heaven. I don't really have any answers to anything except, every now and then when I ask I will hear the words I need to hear. It might be as simple as a call made to me - just for me reminding me in his eyes "I got this". How awesome is that!!!!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
the kiss
The wind whipped at my hair. I fought to brush back the strands that had freely found there way to my lips. Sticking almost instantly to the shimmering moist lip gloss I had just applied. A twang of nervousness rushed through me. As I finally managed to set my hair free, only to be tossed by the wind once more, I could see my date. Standing across the parking lot, in cowboy boots and blue jeans, waiting patiently for me. I was instantly pleased at his appearance. He was early and he had chosen to wait for me outside in a very visible place. I found that to be a very kind gesture on his part. His handsome smile broadened as I drew nearer. I noticed he was thinner than in his photo. I smiled happily as my eyes traveled upward. His height was easily 6 ft.as his profile stated and his face showed like his photo, that aging was definitely being kind to him.
His immediate embrace felt warm, and strong. He had just a hint of cologne which complimented him nicely, and for a split second I found myself relaxing in his arms. It was almost as though I was being reunited with an old friend. For two months we had emailed, texts and spoke over the phone. He had patiently waited all that time for me to agree to a date, with out giving up. Even with my delayed responses to his messages, he did not give up hope. Here we were finally face to face. His eyes actually twinkled as he stepped back to look at me again. Like all the text messages he left for me each morning for the past month, (that let me know how beautiful he thought I was), he wasted no time to share with me now how truly captivating he found my beauty was in person.
I was pleasantly surprised when he told me he had brought me a present. Even more pleased when he handed me two lip glosses in different shades of pink. The tubes each had a light attached to the wand and a small mirror on the side of the tubes. He had most definitely put some thought in his gift and did his homework in reading my profile. I was the girl who never leaves home without lip gloss. He also said he had brought a little something for my two younger sons- baseball caps. I was touched at his sweetness.
Dinner was wonderful and our ability to converse with each other came so naturally. Not once did we have to wrestle through awkward silence. He listened as I spoke about my boys asking me questions with deep interest and shared with me bits about his own children. We spoke briefly about our divorces. Sharing just a small tidbit of why our marriages ended. I noticed as he spoke he was very respectful toward his ex, another attribute I found to be pleasant. When dinner was done we both knew very well the feeling was mutual, we wanted to see each other again. He had passed all my immediate requirements and I knew with in five minutes of seeing him face to face, I would not mind meeting his lips with a kiss sometime if we were to go out again.
As he walked me to my car we embraced again. I was almost sad to have the night end. But I wanted to also hang onto the newness we shared, and let the magic of two friends bloom slowly. I felt his lips slightly brush the top of my head as he tightened his arms around me. It felt good to be held in his arms, he was strong and I felt safe, something I had not felt in quite awhile. I stepped back to look up into his soft warm deep green eyes, he seemed so genuine. Slowly we moved toward each other with our eyes locked, and ever so gently as we met, I felt his lips very lightly rest on mine. The first kiss, with our lips only partly parted, so perfect, so light and so sweetly genuine. Umm- yes we are going out again, and every morning he still is sending me a text- wishing me a wonderful day and to tell me how beautiful he thinks I am.
His immediate embrace felt warm, and strong. He had just a hint of cologne which complimented him nicely, and for a split second I found myself relaxing in his arms. It was almost as though I was being reunited with an old friend. For two months we had emailed, texts and spoke over the phone. He had patiently waited all that time for me to agree to a date, with out giving up. Even with my delayed responses to his messages, he did not give up hope. Here we were finally face to face. His eyes actually twinkled as he stepped back to look at me again. Like all the text messages he left for me each morning for the past month, (that let me know how beautiful he thought I was), he wasted no time to share with me now how truly captivating he found my beauty was in person.
I was pleasantly surprised when he told me he had brought me a present. Even more pleased when he handed me two lip glosses in different shades of pink. The tubes each had a light attached to the wand and a small mirror on the side of the tubes. He had most definitely put some thought in his gift and did his homework in reading my profile. I was the girl who never leaves home without lip gloss. He also said he had brought a little something for my two younger sons- baseball caps. I was touched at his sweetness.
Dinner was wonderful and our ability to converse with each other came so naturally. Not once did we have to wrestle through awkward silence. He listened as I spoke about my boys asking me questions with deep interest and shared with me bits about his own children. We spoke briefly about our divorces. Sharing just a small tidbit of why our marriages ended. I noticed as he spoke he was very respectful toward his ex, another attribute I found to be pleasant. When dinner was done we both knew very well the feeling was mutual, we wanted to see each other again. He had passed all my immediate requirements and I knew with in five minutes of seeing him face to face, I would not mind meeting his lips with a kiss sometime if we were to go out again.
As he walked me to my car we embraced again. I was almost sad to have the night end. But I wanted to also hang onto the newness we shared, and let the magic of two friends bloom slowly. I felt his lips slightly brush the top of my head as he tightened his arms around me. It felt good to be held in his arms, he was strong and I felt safe, something I had not felt in quite awhile. I stepped back to look up into his soft warm deep green eyes, he seemed so genuine. Slowly we moved toward each other with our eyes locked, and ever so gently as we met, I felt his lips very lightly rest on mine. The first kiss, with our lips only partly parted, so perfect, so light and so sweetly genuine. Umm- yes we are going out again, and every morning he still is sending me a text- wishing me a wonderful day and to tell me how beautiful he thinks I am.
Monday, March 31, 2014
lyrics
I listened in silence to the lyrics. Each note sung held me captive. I was still so easily reminded of what no longer was, and, perhaps never was. I was left a prisoner to my undying dreams and hope. Unable to move, I surrendered to the sweet melody, as waves of emotion consumed me. Almost overwhelmed with desire and conflicted with the harshness of reality, I let my mind and heart replay the heartache I walked away from. Lost in my bittersweet memories, images slowly flashed before me. Images of a time not to long ago that once gave me hope. Moments of time spent in another world. Leaving me now wondering why I was still brought so easily back to yesterday.
I wanted to change what I now felt had wronged me. I wanted to forget the pain I was in many ways growing accustom to. Mostly, I wanted to move on. Move past the hurt and the sorrow that these feelings I once felt, had brought into my world. I did not want the past back but, I wanted the hopes and dreams I had dared to believe in to lead me, again, fearlessly on a new journey.
I listened to the only song that could remind me of so much. The only words that helped me understand why I walked away, from my past. In my mind I knew what I did was right.- Right for me. But still, something inside left me hurting. Left me feeling betrayed by my own emotions. There was nothing left for me to say or do. I needed to be true to myself, but the reality of it all meant, I had walked this journey alone. From the beginning, my desire was all I ever had. Now, here I was listening to the lyrics of a song that summed up everything I had ever meant to say and the emptiness I heard back. " Say something I'm giving up on you."
I wanted to change what I now felt had wronged me. I wanted to forget the pain I was in many ways growing accustom to. Mostly, I wanted to move on. Move past the hurt and the sorrow that these feelings I once felt, had brought into my world. I did not want the past back but, I wanted the hopes and dreams I had dared to believe in to lead me, again, fearlessly on a new journey.
I listened to the only song that could remind me of so much. The only words that helped me understand why I walked away, from my past. In my mind I knew what I did was right.- Right for me. But still, something inside left me hurting. Left me feeling betrayed by my own emotions. There was nothing left for me to say or do. I needed to be true to myself, but the reality of it all meant, I had walked this journey alone. From the beginning, my desire was all I ever had. Now, here I was listening to the lyrics of a song that summed up everything I had ever meant to say and the emptiness I heard back. " Say something I'm giving up on you."
feeling empowered
Smiling he simply asked me to put him in his stander. Out of the blue without hesitant my Cody asked to stand. I was thrilled and excited this was his own thought this time and not an act of diligent persuasion on my part. After securely and comfortably fitting him in his Easy Stand 5000 I began cranking him up. Stopping just past the 50 percent mark, hoping, I could raise him just a bit more. He looked down at the straps that I had been adjusting and as though he read my mind, "put me higher mom" he said with confidence.
At almost 21 years Cody could still tolerate some body weight on his feet. I was so over joyed that Duchenne had not yet defeated us in getting Cody to stand. I stopped just shy of a 70 degree angle and looked at Cody's face for an indicator of how much stress he was feeling. He looked up at me smiling telling me he was good.
Cody stayed in his stander for 2 hours that day. Standing for several brief intervals of 20 minute periods and asking to be lowered for short rest in between. Not once was a complaint uttered as he stayed engaged in his new Ps4 game. A small price for an investment that gave him pleasure during serious vital stretching therapy. I felt proud and very happy for him, for us. More than that Cody had given back to me the feeling that determination could still give DMD a fight and today Cody had a triumph. His smile as he stood let me now he too understood just what he had truly accomplished.
At almost 21 years Cody could still tolerate some body weight on his feet. I was so over joyed that Duchenne had not yet defeated us in getting Cody to stand. I stopped just shy of a 70 degree angle and looked at Cody's face for an indicator of how much stress he was feeling. He looked up at me smiling telling me he was good.
Cody stayed in his stander for 2 hours that day. Standing for several brief intervals of 20 minute periods and asking to be lowered for short rest in between. Not once was a complaint uttered as he stayed engaged in his new Ps4 game. A small price for an investment that gave him pleasure during serious vital stretching therapy. I felt proud and very happy for him, for us. More than that Cody had given back to me the feeling that determination could still give DMD a fight and today Cody had a triumph. His smile as he stood let me now he too understood just what he had truly accomplished.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
the art of dating
His hand reached out to hold mine as I spoke. Soft and gently he covered my hand with his, while his warm smiling blue eyes gazed into mine. Attentively in a thoughtful silence, he sat across from me, listening as though he wanted to savor every word that I spoke.
I began telling him a story about my son Cody. A story that happened almost 6 years ago that really challenged and changed me. It was a time in my life that I found demanding me to dig deep with in myself, for answers and strength. Strength to help Cody over come the fear and sorrow that had attempted to claim him and begin controlling his emotions. It was a time when I struggled searching for answers that would help convince Cody and myself that even in sorrow there is joy and that every life has a purpose to fulfill. For just a moment he let go of my hand to remove his glasses. I watched as he wiped the left corner of his eye, where I could not help, but notice, a single tear had formed. With out a word he dabbed at it and just as quickly placed his hand back over mine with a gentle squeeze.
His glasses I noticed he left laying next to where he neatly held my hands. I paused momentarily and asked if he was okay. His face only softened more as he smiled back at me with moist eyes. "Please" he said "go on". I finished telling him this was a time shortly after Cody had stopped walking. It was a time in our world where we had to learn to accept the rest of Cody's life would now be spent confide to a chair. A chair with wheels and that was just the beginning of the muscle loss to come. As I continued on with my story I noticed his eyes stayed fixed on my face. Occasionally he would ask a question and then fall back to listening to me as I answered. I finished telling him that the place that Cody had fallen into almost 6 years ago, was a place so deep in despair, he literally had said he had no reason to keep pushing himself. Eventually he said, he wanted to stop going to school. As his mom my heart broke to see him quit on himself, to give up. As a realist I understood where he was coming from. The reality and the harshness of the world that surrounded us then did nothing to help combat the devastation we were facing. In reality my two youngest children had an expiration date that unlike most of us would come far to soon. But, only after years of pain and suffering. Only after spending years trapped in a chair, and becoming totally dependent on assistance to do things as simple as scratching their chin
It was then, almost 6 years ago, that I decided it would be up to me to help Cody, and myself, see past the ugliness Duchenne had presented our world with. I ended with telling my blue eyed date that Cody not only stayed in school, but, that Cody had graduated last year with honors. Something I never would have imagined my son, with a cognitive delay and terminal disease would achieve. Squeezing my hand he asked how I could speak from the heart with so much passion and so eloquently and not once let go of my smile while speaking. So very simply I told him" my smile" is my shield.
After his eyes had dried and we shared some more stories, with laughter, about our children he asked if I would kindly honor him with another date. Smiling, I said one of us should bring tissues just in case. With that, he leaned into whisper in my ear, thank you. Then he embraced me. As we separated I stepped back to look once more at his face to say goodnight, and quickly noticed, where I had seen tears forming earlier in his eyes there now was a little hint of sparkle.
As I drove home that night from my dinner date I realized it had been quite sometime since I had been on a date that was so genuinely focused on learning about my life in the hopes to know me more. I am not sure I had ever been out with anyone who thanked me for sharing so much of my world with them.
I began telling him a story about my son Cody. A story that happened almost 6 years ago that really challenged and changed me. It was a time in my life that I found demanding me to dig deep with in myself, for answers and strength. Strength to help Cody over come the fear and sorrow that had attempted to claim him and begin controlling his emotions. It was a time when I struggled searching for answers that would help convince Cody and myself that even in sorrow there is joy and that every life has a purpose to fulfill. For just a moment he let go of my hand to remove his glasses. I watched as he wiped the left corner of his eye, where I could not help, but notice, a single tear had formed. With out a word he dabbed at it and just as quickly placed his hand back over mine with a gentle squeeze.
His glasses I noticed he left laying next to where he neatly held my hands. I paused momentarily and asked if he was okay. His face only softened more as he smiled back at me with moist eyes. "Please" he said "go on". I finished telling him this was a time shortly after Cody had stopped walking. It was a time in our world where we had to learn to accept the rest of Cody's life would now be spent confide to a chair. A chair with wheels and that was just the beginning of the muscle loss to come. As I continued on with my story I noticed his eyes stayed fixed on my face. Occasionally he would ask a question and then fall back to listening to me as I answered. I finished telling him that the place that Cody had fallen into almost 6 years ago, was a place so deep in despair, he literally had said he had no reason to keep pushing himself. Eventually he said, he wanted to stop going to school. As his mom my heart broke to see him quit on himself, to give up. As a realist I understood where he was coming from. The reality and the harshness of the world that surrounded us then did nothing to help combat the devastation we were facing. In reality my two youngest children had an expiration date that unlike most of us would come far to soon. But, only after years of pain and suffering. Only after spending years trapped in a chair, and becoming totally dependent on assistance to do things as simple as scratching their chin
It was then, almost 6 years ago, that I decided it would be up to me to help Cody, and myself, see past the ugliness Duchenne had presented our world with. I ended with telling my blue eyed date that Cody not only stayed in school, but, that Cody had graduated last year with honors. Something I never would have imagined my son, with a cognitive delay and terminal disease would achieve. Squeezing my hand he asked how I could speak from the heart with so much passion and so eloquently and not once let go of my smile while speaking. So very simply I told him" my smile" is my shield.
After his eyes had dried and we shared some more stories, with laughter, about our children he asked if I would kindly honor him with another date. Smiling, I said one of us should bring tissues just in case. With that, he leaned into whisper in my ear, thank you. Then he embraced me. As we separated I stepped back to look once more at his face to say goodnight, and quickly noticed, where I had seen tears forming earlier in his eyes there now was a little hint of sparkle.
As I drove home that night from my dinner date I realized it had been quite sometime since I had been on a date that was so genuinely focused on learning about my life in the hopes to know me more. I am not sure I had ever been out with anyone who thanked me for sharing so much of my world with them.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
love and the social network
The screen flashed at me. Alerting me I had some new emails. I scrolled through the photos of the newest group of men interested in possibly meeting me. My popularity seemed to be increasing and my choices of pursuers told me my efforts were drawing a rather diverse group of possibilities. I paused momentarily at one caption. Simply stating "Fly with me" instead of hello. I was most definitely intrigued. I read my new email, and then read it again. Shook my head as I smiled to myself. Each day seemed to be introducing me to new and more exciting invitations. My four weeks since joining the social network world so far, had been if nothing else, enjoyable. No doubt, it was expanding my world and my view of what the market held. The few dates I had been on, had been pleasant, but lacking so far in what I found to keep my interest. Nothing had screamed at me -loud enough, to pursue a second date. But I was finding some interest in a few new faces of men who had recently began conversing with me over the phone. It dazzled me while I read my emails, at the opening lines some men used. Creativity was not lacking on this site. I had even had several marriage proposals. I decided I would come back to this latest email. Giving it some thought, before answering, after all what does a girl say to an invitation to fly with a stranger.
I went through the list, reading my remaining emails, only to find myself a bit distracted, by yet another beautifully written note. A note telling me how much a certain man looked forward to meeting me and that just receiving a text from me brightened his day. He, I found to be well grounded, a bit of eye candy and carefully flirtatious. Also he was not hesitating to show me his romantic side by calling me and playing my favorite song over the phone. Qualities that had moved him up the list right there. The world of dating most definitely for me was not lacking in compliments and attention. I was pleased with the amount of text and emails I was receiving in such a short time. Attention, sadly I had been missing for quite some time from my previous relationship. It surprised me as I thought of my past, with just how much we are willing to put up with, in a relationship, that we believe offers us the one thing we desire most-love.
Re-entering the dating world again, I found now to be actually a bit exciting. Meeting new people can be very alluring and fascinating, especially when they share their enthusiasm towards you. I also find it very interesting learning why some of us become so locked into into acting and looking a certain way. A bit perplexed why many adults resist change like a plague, and have no interest in personal improvement, yet strive to capture something so very far out of their reach. Also perplexed why some of us just accept good enough is good enough and some of us want desire so much more. It amazes me how often the way we perceive ourselves is not always the way the world sees us back.
My thoughts were interrupted once again, with a second email from my friend who likes to fly. I was immediately brought back to the present. Hmm.... Was an airplane ride to much for a first date? I wondered? How serious, could this invitation be? This man had however, with out doubt, did his homework, before contacting me. His pictures appeared to be current dated in a sequential order. His face was clear and visible. He captured a full body shot of himself showing me he had intentions of letting me see as much of him as possible. The eight photos he had uploaded for me, told me he had many interest and several big boy toys. One in particular was a small plane with floats. I was impressed, he had taken the time to give me a profile of himself and then taken the time to actually read mine, by commenting on it. Below his picture I read more. He worked for the Delta Airlines. He found my smile captivating him as well as what I wrote. He said he was searching for love. Like most of us hopeless romantics in the dating world. Hoping to find someone that made the mornings a little brighter the nights a little warmer, the days a little happier. Another romantic?? possibly. Another soul searching for love- most definitely.
Four weeks ago when I first set off on my new adventure of dating I was a bit apprehensive. Afraid I would be flooded with a world of men in need of makeovers "immediately", or at the very least men in need of some pointers on how to impress and approach the dating world with results. While that thought represented a large group of men it fleetingly left me for several hours while on my first date. He was put together fine. Tall, very well groomed and very kind, but I simply felt no buzz to continue on to a second date even though his invitation of a night on the town was tempting. Apparently I also learnt that was a fact that would be important for me to make clear, as soon as I realized it on my dates to come. My second interested caller, along with a bouquet of flowers attempted a much more scientific approach to win my interest. He felt confident enough to evaluate the time we spent together by telling me he noticed my pupils dilate several times while we conversed over cocktails. Even though my words the next time he asked me out were saying no he believed my eyes had told him I had an interest. I must say I found this to be an almost fascinating, yet an inappropriate bold approach. He was not successful in persuading me, after all I had dated enough in the past to know if and when I felt something. I may not always know exactly what I want but I do know what I am not interested in. Being told how I feel is not one them. As Kind and sweet as some of my male encounters have been it just is not my job to help lonely hearts not be lonely or give them false hope. I barely have enough time to take care of my own heart and answer the emails I find most tantalizing. Having someone find me interesting and me not reciprocating the feeling is an issue it seems I may need to remember to address firmly.
So I am delighted that I have a few female friends reentering the dating world with me this time. Our taste in men differs enough to not create conflict and yet share in the excitement of possibilities of what our searches turn up. Which has made dating even more enjoyable for me.
Dating in a time that can connect you to someone across the world instantly, almost, has no limits, if you are willing to go that far. But the chemistry and attraction felt between two people still works the same. The social network really can connect you to the world beyond your backyard but it can not make your heart fall without your consent. Inside you know when you have an actual heart interest. A possibility that could flourish in love. I myself may have to work on my pupils a bit, to keep from giving out the wrong message. However I applaud my fellow romantics. Those of us brave souls willing to at least take that extra step to search for love again by creating a profile that says I am desirable and open up to the world of dating. Because after all finding love is really worth the effort.
I went through the list, reading my remaining emails, only to find myself a bit distracted, by yet another beautifully written note. A note telling me how much a certain man looked forward to meeting me and that just receiving a text from me brightened his day. He, I found to be well grounded, a bit of eye candy and carefully flirtatious. Also he was not hesitating to show me his romantic side by calling me and playing my favorite song over the phone. Qualities that had moved him up the list right there. The world of dating most definitely for me was not lacking in compliments and attention. I was pleased with the amount of text and emails I was receiving in such a short time. Attention, sadly I had been missing for quite some time from my previous relationship. It surprised me as I thought of my past, with just how much we are willing to put up with, in a relationship, that we believe offers us the one thing we desire most-love.
Re-entering the dating world again, I found now to be actually a bit exciting. Meeting new people can be very alluring and fascinating, especially when they share their enthusiasm towards you. I also find it very interesting learning why some of us become so locked into into acting and looking a certain way. A bit perplexed why many adults resist change like a plague, and have no interest in personal improvement, yet strive to capture something so very far out of their reach. Also perplexed why some of us just accept good enough is good enough and some of us want desire so much more. It amazes me how often the way we perceive ourselves is not always the way the world sees us back.
My thoughts were interrupted once again, with a second email from my friend who likes to fly. I was immediately brought back to the present. Hmm.... Was an airplane ride to much for a first date? I wondered? How serious, could this invitation be? This man had however, with out doubt, did his homework, before contacting me. His pictures appeared to be current dated in a sequential order. His face was clear and visible. He captured a full body shot of himself showing me he had intentions of letting me see as much of him as possible. The eight photos he had uploaded for me, told me he had many interest and several big boy toys. One in particular was a small plane with floats. I was impressed, he had taken the time to give me a profile of himself and then taken the time to actually read mine, by commenting on it. Below his picture I read more. He worked for the Delta Airlines. He found my smile captivating him as well as what I wrote. He said he was searching for love. Like most of us hopeless romantics in the dating world. Hoping to find someone that made the mornings a little brighter the nights a little warmer, the days a little happier. Another romantic?? possibly. Another soul searching for love- most definitely.
Four weeks ago when I first set off on my new adventure of dating I was a bit apprehensive. Afraid I would be flooded with a world of men in need of makeovers "immediately", or at the very least men in need of some pointers on how to impress and approach the dating world with results. While that thought represented a large group of men it fleetingly left me for several hours while on my first date. He was put together fine. Tall, very well groomed and very kind, but I simply felt no buzz to continue on to a second date even though his invitation of a night on the town was tempting. Apparently I also learnt that was a fact that would be important for me to make clear, as soon as I realized it on my dates to come. My second interested caller, along with a bouquet of flowers attempted a much more scientific approach to win my interest. He felt confident enough to evaluate the time we spent together by telling me he noticed my pupils dilate several times while we conversed over cocktails. Even though my words the next time he asked me out were saying no he believed my eyes had told him I had an interest. I must say I found this to be an almost fascinating, yet an inappropriate bold approach. He was not successful in persuading me, after all I had dated enough in the past to know if and when I felt something. I may not always know exactly what I want but I do know what I am not interested in. Being told how I feel is not one them. As Kind and sweet as some of my male encounters have been it just is not my job to help lonely hearts not be lonely or give them false hope. I barely have enough time to take care of my own heart and answer the emails I find most tantalizing. Having someone find me interesting and me not reciprocating the feeling is an issue it seems I may need to remember to address firmly.
So I am delighted that I have a few female friends reentering the dating world with me this time. Our taste in men differs enough to not create conflict and yet share in the excitement of possibilities of what our searches turn up. Which has made dating even more enjoyable for me.
Dating in a time that can connect you to someone across the world instantly, almost, has no limits, if you are willing to go that far. But the chemistry and attraction felt between two people still works the same. The social network really can connect you to the world beyond your backyard but it can not make your heart fall without your consent. Inside you know when you have an actual heart interest. A possibility that could flourish in love. I myself may have to work on my pupils a bit, to keep from giving out the wrong message. However I applaud my fellow romantics. Those of us brave souls willing to at least take that extra step to search for love again by creating a profile that says I am desirable and open up to the world of dating. Because after all finding love is really worth the effort.
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