Happy Turkey Day!
This is the first major holiday we have spent without Bradley. Several have told me it would be hard. Of course, this morning at about 5 am I woke up and started crying. It was probably my first really good cry since he left us. I knew that all I was crying for was what used to be his earthly life. And that was even life before we knew cancer. So ultimately, I stopped crying because he is doing great. I pictured him sitting with his grandpas, grandmas and his mom and my dad, shelling pecans on this big wide porch with little humidity and no bugs and the perfect 70 degree beautiful day. Why should I cry for that? I am crying because I am sitting here calling the plummer because our new toilet that Brad thought we needed in March doesn’t have enough flush power to get the crud to the street sewer so it clogged up. I am crying because neither Katie or I know how to cook since Brad spoiled us all these years, so we were about to undertake our first turkey. I am crying because the yard is full of leaves again. I am crying because …I don’t know…So I stopped.
The turkey is in the oven despite Katie’s joy of exploring the giblet bag. The pipes were cleaned yesterday so we are good to go for awhile. And I am about to get on that riding, mulching mower and see what I can do about these leaves.
We will update later on if the turkey was a success. The dogs were quite intrigued by the vision of the girls trying to cook. I think they see a large turkey in their future. I told Katie, if the bird tastes bad then at least we have corn, mashed potatoes and rolls. We will be just fine.
Oh my! I hope the turkey turns out for you, I have NEVER even tried to attempt one myself. I would probably end up with one like they had on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, if you’ve ever seen that movie. If not you’ve gotta see it, it’s hilarious. We also had a problem at our last house with our upstairs toilet backing up and just not having the “umph” to work for long. So 4 plumbers and 10 years later we finally had a guy that actually took the thing out and found a McDonalds kids meal toy lodged in the pipe. We just figured that it was probably Jessica toy so Josh took it and flushed it. Ah, brotherly love, it just warms the heart doesn’t it! Well, I know it’s been a long road so far but I’m sure being so busy has helped. I’m glad that you and Katie are doing well. James sends his love. Talk to you later and keep on smiling!
Comment by Anonymous | November 26, 2009
Don’t quite writing, I suspect that if more of us were writing our feelings we would feel better. I mostly remember Brad when I worked for his Dad. He was funny then,of course at that time in his life I think he played more golf on the computer(they were new back then)than work.
We will be praying for you and Katie and the adjustments you have to make.
Gayle
Comment by Gayle Johnson | November 26, 2009
I thought of Brad this morning. I was thinking about my daughter in Heaven and wondered if they had crossed paths… We get a whole new outlook on what goes on there when we have someone who is there.. Healthier now but we still miss them.
Thinking of you both..
Angela
Comment by ang kegley | November 26, 2009
I’m an old high school/church pal of Brad’s. I’m thinking and praying for you with all your life changes. I smiled thinking of Brad and his mom on the porch.
Take care,
Denise
Comment by Denise Barret | November 26, 2009
Thought of you yesterday. I know the turkey turned out fine. I never cook, as you know, and even I can do turkey. Have you heard the new Tody Keith song? It makes me think of Brad and smile every time I hear it. See you next week. Hug Katie for me.
Julie
Comment by Anonymous | November 27, 2009
Well…just want to know how the turkey turned out? I’m sure you and Katie did a great job.
Glad you got your plumbing cleaned out just in case you get sick from your cooking. hahaha!!!
Still have you and Katie in our prayers.
Comment by Debbie your Sister | November 27, 2009
I am so very sad to hear about Brad’s passing. Somewhere awhile back in early Spring while searching for answers for my father’s Mantle Cell Lymphoma I found Brad’s blog. I followed his struggles and trips the MDA closely. He has helped me to feel that we aren’t alone in this fight. Brad had courage and a lovely sense of humor. He helped us to know we weren’t alone. I didn’t know him except for this blog but he made me feel close to him. I told my dad about Brad and what he was going through…and it helped him to know that he wasn’t the only one with all these crazy side effects of the drugs. I would even read the posts to my boyfriend. I hadn’t checked the blog since a post in late October. The other night after Thanksgiving I looked up the blog…I read it to my boyfriend and we cried. Thanks for sharing yourself with strangers Brad….you don’t know how much you helped those of us out there fighting Mantle Cell Lymphoma. You made a difference for a daughter of a man who struggles and still fights the fight at 82 with this terrible thing. You touched my life in a way I won’t forget…you are an inspiration to many people you never knew. Thank you and God Bless your family and help them in the times ahead. Love, Jennifer
Comment by Jennifer | November 28, 2009