She and I were almost 10 years apart. I loved that baby girl (who btw is now a pediatrician married to a neurosurgeon) like she was my own, took care of her, and watched over her until my sister moved with her husband to Mexico City. We visited there a few times, but she did return to New Orleans eventually. In fact, she was in N.O. and pregnant with her 4th child the same time I was pregnant with my first.
We both had baby boys that year. But I lived in Texas so we didn't see each other too often. Still the boys remained friends... her son visiting mine in Texas when he could... and us visiting family in N.O. often.
Her son came with us when we took our kids to Disney World (around 1984/85). He was 16 at the time. He hadn't been feeling well... (low grade fever) before we left. But he and our 3 kids seemed to have a good time.
Once back home, he was rechecked and eventually diagnosed as having Leukemia. They sent him to Seattle for a bone marrow transplant. We thought he was doing well. Our son even flew up there to visit him and came back saying he was doing fine.
Then something happened (possibly the treatment couldn't be continued because it was affecting his heart - never knew for sure). And before we knew it, he died.
My sister (who was battling Cancer at the time) died 6 months later.
Probably TMI here... but that picture brought it all back. So I shared. Don't know if I will post it or not. Will decide later.
Decided 'why not share?' I know that many go through difficult times... and get through them. People are stronger than they think they are. And these times we're living through now are stretching our limits. I heard someone say on TV this morning, "Are we trying to save lives or our lifestyle?" I thought that very well said.
Hugs,
Rian
