This afternoon around 4:30 when most people at work are getting ready to leave for the day, I got up to stretch my legs and take a quick potty break. As I walked into a cloud of perfume and a women looking into the mirror at her sweater dress and knee high boots, I think to myself, “Someone’s got a hot date tonight”. I recognized her, we work on the same floor, but I don’t know her name.
A few weeks ago, I saw her at a restaurant near my home. She started talking to me and said, “Was that you I saw at Bonefish a few weeks ago”. I said, yeah, “I was just saying hi”. She told me that her daughter told her I was talking to her but she didn’t realize it. She proceeded to tell me she was high. I kind of looked at her like, wow, really, I barely know you and you are telling me you were high. Anyway, she says, “I was high on medicine”. I said “Oh”. She proceeded to tell me she just underwent a double mastectomy and just returned to work. I was speechless. She didn’t look any older than me, I couldn’t help but ask, “How old are you” She said “how old do I look”? I said my age, maybe 35-40. She was flattered; she told me she was 48. “Wow” is all I could think. She proceeded to tell me she lost her Mom and a sister to breast cancer and another sister had Breast Cancer 10 years ago and beat it, but was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She told me she also had her ovaries removed. Needless to say at this point, what I thought was just a quick visit to the ladies room turned out to be a turning point in my day. We spoke about 10-15 minutes. As she was talking I could see a slight quiver in her lip and her eyes just moved around as to not make too much contact for fear my reaction would make her cry. I almost cried talking to her.
Wow, 48. That is just way too young to have to go through that much loss and suffering. She is 10 years older than me. That could be me, or my one of my sisters, or my mom. Talking to her was like a breath of fresh air. She was so positive and full of life. I told her I couldn’t believe she was back to work already, she said what I am going to do, sit at home and worry. I have to work and stay busy to keep my mind off things
I feel like such an ass for making a quick judgment (to myself) as I nearly swallowed a mouth full of her perfume walking into the bathroom. I’m not perfect and we all judge, right? Anyway, I hope whatever her plans were, she had a good time.
Its people like her and Allie, (my dad’s girlfriend who has been battling cancer for almost 4 years now) and their ability make the best of every situation that really help put things in perspective. I have an abundance of material thing that at the end of the day, don’t really mean nearly as much as the people in my life no matter if they are family, friends or acquaintances.
A few months ago I was also inspired by a friend to begin writing a blog to improve my writing skills and to use as an outlet. I only wrote a few entries and got busy with life. I was worried no one really wanted to hear what I had to say. It’s not about anyone else, but me. Read if you like, comment if you dare. I welcome all questions, comments and feedback.
Beverly always starts her blog with song lyrics that usually feed into her topic. I promised I wouldn’t do the same, but music is how I best relate to situations. There is a song out there to describe just about any feeling, emotion or damn near any life experience that makes or breaks us. So I’ll share lyrics, music and links to videos that move me in some way, shape or form.
What comes to mind is You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban. Now, some might say this is a religious song. Since I am not a very religious person, this is not about God or any higher being. This is about the people that cross my path, make me stronger and inspire me. Today is was a lady I met in the bathroom
Lastly, I have renamed my Blog. When I first created it, I called it Work in Progress, because I had no idea what I really wanted to do. Now, I can honestly say that the title of my blog means something. It means I’m striving towards being a better person, hence Mrs. Do Right. I can’t say I will always Do the Right thing, but know that my heart and mind are in the right place. I also can’t take full credit for the title I stole that off my boss who has a paddle to keep her grandson in line named Mr. Do Right. It just kind of clicked for me, so there it is.
I look forward to hearing your feedback.
Until we meet again.
