Posted 11-14-19
Let’s set the mood with this short, semi-offensive, culturally appropriated video:
Most of you don’t know me well, but to those who do, did you know I took martial arts classes in high school? I was probably about as good at it after several months as I was at piano after 2 years of lessons at the keys. (Terrible) Actually, amazingly enough, through the wonders of YouTube, here is some actual footage of me doing karate:
And, later in life, in my first job I made use of my mad martial arts skills:
And today, part of my job at SeniorAge is in safety and (physical) security. My extensive home security system caught this exchange just a short time ago:
Even now I can take a punch. See:
This last video, in particular, reminds me of what I was intending to do here today. See, when I was in school, I was kind of a bully, even to my friends. Not a 2019-type of bully, mind you, but I would knock the books out of people’s hands, play mean tricks on people, arm knob unsuspecting boys, and the like. I really wasn’t very nice. I could get away with it, not because of my clearly demonstrable karate skills, but because I was bigger than most people. I never had to get in a fight because I was pretty imposing…and because I avoided people tougher than me who didn’t care that I was big. That was until I picked on the wrong kid.
I was running track, if you can call it that, when I was about to be lapped by a kid about a foot shorter and 100 pounds lighter. Just as he was passing me, I kicked his heel and he face-planted into the pea gravel track. Rather than freaking out like most littler kids would do, he made a few ouch sounds, then jumped up and punched me in the ear. It dazed me and it actually hurt. Then he went to a teacher in charge and told them I tripped him and that he needed to get the blood cleaned off his knees and face. Parents called. Grounded again…you know the drill.
First, what an idiot I was. And a jerk. Sorry, again, to all of my friends and enemies in school…
Next…this anecdote reminds me that sometimes the smaller things in life are what whack you in the side of the head. Isn’t it funny how confident we are that we are invincible until something like a flu germ…or in this case, a sub-microscopic brain disorder…show us otherwise. After mom was diagnosed 10 years ago, she made several life changes. She had stopped smoking before, she exercised more, she did brain games on the computer and on paper and she ate much more fish. All indications are that she slept fine and she was generally heart and therefore brain healthy. Then it got worse anyway.
Mom is a fighter…always was and still is. She took some steps to fight and has always gave the final boss of the video game her best. I think that is partially why she is doing so “well” right now, at the final approach to the death’s airport (Also known as LAX to some, but I digress….). She is graceful and still physically strong. Yesterday, the impetus for me writing this odd little piece reminded me even more of the fighter that mom truly is. It came while we were watching this part of Andy Griffith:
and I said to mom “Ha Ha…look, Mom, Barney is learning Judo!!”. Mom looked at me, stone-faced, and paused for some extra drama and then said “I am too!” and erupted out into a belly laugh. She’s still got it! 🙂 I say there is still a lot of fight in her! You know this… I won’t stop fighting for a cure even if I take a few to the ear in the process!
#EndALZ
Update: Great day again yesterday, as you can probably tell. I fear that she will not get renewed by hospice, but if that happens we will cross that road when we get there…we still have a sizable care team. Praying for a cure? Yes, me too.