Happy Labor Day! I hope that most, if not all, of you are enjoying an extra day off from work/school.
I was flipping through the channels on TV last night, and I came across the MDA telethon. It brought back a flood of memories. My family and I were usually in Iowa visiting my Grandma during Labor Day weekend. My grandma and my Aunt Karen would stay up ALL night to watch the telethon(back when Jerry Lee Lewis hosted). I was a girl of only eight or nine, so I wasn't sure what MDA was, or who more than half of the performers and spokespeople were. I just enjoyed spending time with my family. My parents and my sister would go to bed at a "normal" bed time. They would take me to bed as well, but I would wait until they were asleep to sneak out and watch the rest of the marathon with Grams and Karen. They would oogle at their favorite performers and cry at the sad stories of the struggling children. I would end up watching my Grams and my auntie Karen more than the actual telethon. I would become completely enamored by the response my family would have to complete strangers. It was inspiring. I would constantly ask them questions about muscular diseases and try to understand what the telethon was all about. The would never get annoyed by my persistent inquiries. They would answer to the best of their knowledge, and we would continue watching Jerry Lee Lewis and all his antics. I hold tightly onto those memories. It was such an innocent and bonding time. I'm so grateful they included me in their Labor Day ritual instead of ratting me out to my parents for being up past my bedtime.
Another staple of Labor Day was "filling the boot". For those of you who don't know of this tradition, it is when the local firefighters stand on street corners and/or at stop-and-go lights holding their fireman boots to collect donations for MDA. It was so exciting as a child to be driving down the road with my family and spot the first "fill the boot" intersection. I"ll admit I still get filled with delight when I see firemen collecting for MDA. It's a rare assurance now a days, but sometime I get lucky and find an area where they are taking donations. No matter the amount of money I have on me, it goes in the boot. I always laugh a little inside too because I reminisce about my dear sweet Grandma. She was hilarious when we would get close the the "fill the boot" intersection. She would frenziedly dig through her purse for spare money and change. My mom would always tell her it was fine, they had money for both my sister and I to put in the boot(clearly that was our favorite part of the weekend). That was never good enough for Grams though. She wanted to contribute to the fund as well. She always sat in the backseat with me and my sister. She would have her purse on her lap, and be chucking items all over myself and my sister. Anything and everything came out of that purse, so she could get to the bottom for loose change. Danielle and I would be covered in clean, and probably some used tissues, wrappers from her hard candies, her cigarettes, lighters, lint, and random papers filled with grocery lists, etc. The funniest part is that every year she would ask, "Do you think they'll take cinnamon certs?" The whole car would bust out in laughter. My parents would always end up pulling to the side of the road, or sitting idle at the stop-and-go light waiting for Grams to find her 38 cents to throw in the boot. She was relentless, but she did whatever she could to help the cause. I can't tell you how much I admire, adore, and miss the lady everyday of my life.
I am elated that the MDA has been putting on this telethon for so many years. I am also overjoyed by all of the attention and donations ALS has received through the "Ice Bucket Challenge". It's incredible how much money they have raised. It is truly wonderful to see that level of support for such a worthy cause. My only wish is that all organizations could get such funding. From small, personal fundraisers to worldwide charity events. I long for the day when each horrible disease, illness and condition would get equal financing. Logically, I know that day will doubtfully ever come, and that make me sad. It's no ones fault. Money doesn't grow on trees. That would be nice, but the truth is there is only so much people can give. It is also a personal choice whether or not to support an organization. Many people struggle to pay their own bills. They would love to help out, but they are financially incapable of providing monetary support. Others simply just don't care, nor do they want to back certain organizations. That is their prerogative. We all have to respect that, but I can't ignore the hurt I feel by their insensitivity.
I know I am bias because I struggle with medial cost daily. I have had to reach out to my family and friends numerous time. That makes me feel like a failure. I am almost 30 years old, and I still need help from mommy and daddy. It's not just my health that cancer has taken aways from me, it has also taken my dignity. I have never been much of a jealous person. I have always been genuinely happy for the successes of those around me. I still am, but I also wish that I could have a "normal" life. Cancer doesn't just affect one person, it affects all of those around them. It also doesn't just affect my body. Cancer has destroyed me physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and spiritually. I worry everyday that with each new diagnosis I won't be able to afford the treatments, the medications, the hospital visits, and the doctor visits. Even if I'm not ready to physically, or mentally give up, the cost of it all could very well be the death of me. Those thoughts terrify me to no end.
Either way, if the cancer itself kills me, money runs out, I get hit by a bus, or a I die an old lady in my bed, I will pass on with infinite love in my heart and a smile on my face. I know that for a fact because of all of you. All of you fantastic and awe-inspiring friends and family that have brought so much joy, love and laughter to my life. Thank you...a million times THANK YOU!
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