Cancer Sucks

Of my parents, my mother was the one who had a way with words, spoken and written. My mom was the one I went to for moral support, pep talks, validation, empathy, or to work through a problem.  She didn't always say the right things, mind, but she was the talker. 

Don't get me wrong, my dad is great, in so many ways.  As a non-native English speaker, though, he isn't really the talker.  He is keen and he has amazing insights that he relays in deceptively simple terms.  But his advice ranges from, say, 'It's all riiiiiight.  Everything will work out' to 'Ahhhh, fuck 'em if they don't like it.'  If he really wants to encourage, though, he pulls out the 'Tough Street' Metaphor.  Which goes something like, you live on Tough Street, where it gets tougher the further down you go, thus, there's nothing that you can't handle.  It's a pretty good one, actually.

I've heard that twice in my life from my father.  One was just a week or so ago, when I was beside myself with overwhelm and weepiness from post-partum hormones.  The other was when the doctor left the hospital room after telling us all that my mother was going to die from cancer.

As my hormones waned (thankfully) and I was catching up on my blog reading, I came across this post.  Whymommy is Canape's IRL friend.  And she has cancer.  I agree with Mrs. Chicken and so I bit her sentiments.  Cancer sucks.

I didn't know Whymommy before I joined  her team but I am extending a handshake of greeting to her now.  Why don't you click on over and do the same?  You'll be impressed, I'm sure, with her strength and her ability to articulate the kind of support she's looking for.

She's feisty.  And ready to fight.  She wants only positive, stay-strong messages, to keep her on track.

So, here's mine:

(No doubt you know where I'm going by now)

Whymommy, don't ever forget that you live on Tough Street.

You know that as you go down the block, the people get tougher.

And you live in the very, very last house.

Comments

[whymommy]

Love it. Thank you. Thank you.

I found you through Canape too, and I totally enjoy your blog. Don't know if I'd said so before, but I do.

-- WhyMommy, from Tough Street (!)

[jen]

tough street, indeed. on the 3rd floor even.

[little sister]

And don't forget, it's uphill. And you ALWAYS make it home.

[Her Bad Mother]

RAH RAH RAH!!!

[Josie]

I am going thru my dad's fight with stomach cancer right now. I think what you ladies are doing for Whymommy is amazing.
Cancer sucks and we should all kick its ass.

[mamatulip]

AWESOME. Glad you're on the team, too. :)

[MammaLoves]

So glad you're on the team!!!

[Mrs. Chicken]

yeah, what SHE said!

[canape]

You are an excellent cheerleader. Thank you so so much!

[fidget]

Your dad is a smart cookie