Sir Babydum GBE
07-21-2006, 10:07 AM
I've not put this in my own section because for once I'm being serious. It seems I don't have a humorous answer for everything - which is quite sobering.
There is this mother and son that I know very well and are close friends of mine. The father has been ill for years with kidney problems (I don't know the father so well) and both the mother and son have been a rock for him through this period.
In september, the mother, in her 50's was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and has been undergoing treatment for that. About three weeks ago she was told that she would need to take a break from the chemotherapy for 6 months because it had weakened her so much - even though the cancer was spreading.
Two weeks ago, the son took his parents to see Pirates of the Carribean 2, and though the mum was quite poorly they enjoyed it.
On saturday, the mother was rushed into hospital because she was having breathing problems. A few hours later - on the same day - the father was rushed into a different hospital for a kidney transplant. There were some complications and he was in intensive care.
On Wednesday, Gareth, my friend, was told that his mother would not likely live through the weekend. His father was given special release for the day yesterday to effectively say goodbye for the last time - except that the mum doesn't know she is going to die very soon - so he couldn't say goodbye properly.
Only today did I hear that things had got so bad for the mum who is also a good friend.
I cried in work today, and i haven't really stopped all day.
If this message sounds morbid - I'm sorry. I wouldn't want to offend anyone. But there is a lesson in this that I've learned before and always seem to forget:
There is so much more to this life than making money and climbing up ladders - whether they be career, housing, or education ladders. When we are preoccupied with ourselves we can so easily miss opportunities in time that one day we may lose - those of building up friendships and walking through life hand in hand with those friends and others that are dear to us.
There is this mother and son that I know very well and are close friends of mine. The father has been ill for years with kidney problems (I don't know the father so well) and both the mother and son have been a rock for him through this period.
In september, the mother, in her 50's was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and has been undergoing treatment for that. About three weeks ago she was told that she would need to take a break from the chemotherapy for 6 months because it had weakened her so much - even though the cancer was spreading.
Two weeks ago, the son took his parents to see Pirates of the Carribean 2, and though the mum was quite poorly they enjoyed it.
On saturday, the mother was rushed into hospital because she was having breathing problems. A few hours later - on the same day - the father was rushed into a different hospital for a kidney transplant. There were some complications and he was in intensive care.
On Wednesday, Gareth, my friend, was told that his mother would not likely live through the weekend. His father was given special release for the day yesterday to effectively say goodbye for the last time - except that the mum doesn't know she is going to die very soon - so he couldn't say goodbye properly.
Only today did I hear that things had got so bad for the mum who is also a good friend.
I cried in work today, and i haven't really stopped all day.
If this message sounds morbid - I'm sorry. I wouldn't want to offend anyone. But there is a lesson in this that I've learned before and always seem to forget:
There is so much more to this life than making money and climbing up ladders - whether they be career, housing, or education ladders. When we are preoccupied with ourselves we can so easily miss opportunities in time that one day we may lose - those of building up friendships and walking through life hand in hand with those friends and others that are dear to us.