To the 4 kids and their mom in the blue Honda CR-V in the Trader Joe's parking lot:
The next time your kids yell out rude comments from your car window at the bald lady (AKA, chemo/cancer patient) pushing her grocery cart through the parking lot, PLEASE.DO.NOT.MAKE. FUN.OF.HER!! Instead, why don't you 'parent up' and make this a 'teachable moment' in lieu of allowing your little angels this disgraceful behavior. SHAME.ON.YOU! And, while you're at it, you should also not look directly at the bald lady (that would be me!) and start laughing with your kids before quickly rolling up your window!
Oh, and here's another little insight for you CR-V mom - you will, at some point in time, be afflicted by this epidemic called breast cancer! If it's not YOU, it may be your daughter that was sitting next to you in the car in 15 years that receives this diagnosis. Or, it may be your mom, sister, cousin, best friend or neighbor that has to endure this atrocious and hellish disease.
Truth told, do you not think that I already don't feel emotionally drained from this experience that I have had to withstand for the past year? 20 years? Do you think that I am feeling at my physical best during this cancer gig? Do you know how horribly difficult this past year has been on my life, my partner's life, my sister, my mom, cousins, friends and neighbors?
Will you laugh then when your own life is impacted by the doctor saying - "I'm sorry to tell you, but you have breast cancer - AGAIN!?" Will you stop your sons from making fun of your mother, daughter-in-law, sister, daughter? Will you look the other way to try and hide your snickering then? OR...... might you take the high road and impart some thoughtful and mindful wisdom while showing some compassion and sensitivity as a conscious parent?
Just asking.
Well said! I'm sorry you had to endure that insensitive stupidity. For what it's worth, I think you look beautiful sans hair!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Mama! Life goes on in spite of such insensitive stupidity. I have certainly endured far more to have this knock me down. I'm a tough cookie as you well know.
DeleteI agree! You look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks.
DeleteOh my goodness, how infuriating. So incredibly wrong and cruel. I'm sorry you had to tolerate that garbage. That mother isn't doing her kids any favours. And going out in public bald during treatment - that's what BRAVE people do, who have a strong character and a secure sense of self. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement. I'm just trying to embrace the new me. And while I have had 99% support, this 1% mom and her family will not break me as I lean on the goodness of many others.
DeleteYOG! You are absolutely beautiful. Inside and out. TRUTH, a teachable moment was missed. Their loss. Love you XX
ReplyDeleteSo sweet Sydney! Back to ya girl - you are a true beauty! xoxo
DeleteI can only hope that when I master the art of time travel, I can go back to that moment and go all Italian on their asses. Better yet, I wish I could go all former teacher on their asses and offer a reality check on just how accountable they are for their actions. What a show of how very little love they feel in their own lives. I'm sending YOU boat loads of love now...
ReplyDeleteNote to self: Italian a$$ kicking! Yes. Gonna put you on speed dial now. And, PS, can you wear those big, black waffle-stomping boots of yours too? Thanks for the boat load of LOVE Cath - so feeling it!
DeleteThey're REALLY LUCKY I wasn't there! I would not have been as gracious as you were. You're a strong, beautiful woman!
ReplyDeleteLove You Bunches Sister!
Thank you sister! I just took a deep breath and gathered myself but they were REALLY LUCKY my big sis wasn't there! Love you BUNCHES back! xoxo
ReplyDelete