Jeb and I are ready. When it comes to humans walking around with food, Jeb is always ready. I, on the other hand, tend to not to be as ready for the annual Foster Christmas soiree, at least since I got wrestled down by cancer a couple of years ago. Standing around for two hours with your neighbors and friends is fine mano-a-mano, it sucks a bit when you're holding court--on your feet. But it is still the biggest night of our social year and Sherry always puts her heart and soul into it. And I certainly don't want to appear Grinch-like and not be a good host. If fact, for this party I may be the happiest host ever. Though it will be one of my most challenging.
You see, I am still in pretty rough shape from all the medical business over the past three weeks. I am not only dealing with the swollen feet and legs, but the pain that goes with it. Nasty stuff. Recognizing my needs, Sherry went and bought this cool recliner from which "you can hold court." But that is only one reason why it will be a happy party. Last year, a friend with Leukemia told me that all he wanted for Christmas was "one more year." I, thank God , have most hopefully not gotten to that simple goal, nor has he. He called yesterday, we chatted and then he said, " well, I asked Santa for one more year again. After a while they begin to stack up." I am going to have one more year as well and this party is sort of symbolic start.
Within an hour I will have forgotten all about not wanting to have the party for any reason. Instead I will be enjoying the warm good wishes of a neighborhood that closed around Sherry and me like a fortress of strength and love. They have shown it over the years in more ways than I can list, from having our grass cut to bringing over food, to just calling over from time to time to see how we are doing. God Bless Them, God Bless Them Everyone.
If there has been a pay off for me during this time, it has been the often surprising lengths friendship will go. How so many people, with their own concerns and crises take the time to support this family through ours. Our neighborhood is old, stretching back to the beginning of the 20th Century. And it is affluent, which some people often thinks is synonymous with cold. There is no neighborhood association to look after matters like ours. The benevolence of our neighbors springs simply from 15 years of associating with my family during dog walks or over the fence conversations. Nothing more, nothing less.
So they will fill my house tonight with love and gaiety, concern and celebration. There will doctors, journalists, artists, lawyers, school teachers and business people. They will in turn ask me how I am doing and inevitably tell me I look good. And I will hobble around drinking it all in and thanking them and meaning--oh so meaning--every word and every feeling I can't articulate. In just three years these folks have gone from just neighbors to a fount of support neither Sherry nor I can imagine being without.
So while at this moment I kinda dread the whole thing, believe me, come seven o'clock I will be ready to hobble until I drop, knowing a couple of those strapping fellows will just hustle me to bed with a truly meant, Merry Christmas to you and especially a good night.
If it weren't for humans, I was told once, the world would be an especially lonely place. Oh the deeper meanings in those words.
Just chanced across your blog and read your comments on drug side effects - I have a very advanced lymphoma and chose to avoid chemo to date - there is some debate on the wisdom of that decision, but I just thought I would pass on to you the knowledge of a clinic I recently attended in the Bahamas - www.immunemedicine.com. In three years of looking for effective treatment, this is the first place that I actually got to meet long term survivors. It just seems to make sense to put some good stuff in to rebulid the immune system - dont know if relevant to you, but just wanted you to have the info
Posted by: G | January 06, 2008 at 02:04 AM
Been thinkin lot's bout ya'll since Thanksgiving. Hope your party was a smash last night. If you get a chance to do lunch, please give me a call. I'd love to hear more stories about your folks (or whatever). Ya'll take care of each other and know we're thinking of you.
Posted by: Tré | December 21, 2007 at 05:41 PM
I just stumbled upon this searching for your picture on a cover of a magazine (the name of which eludes me) my mom was telling me about a couple days ago and found your blog, so being nosy, I couldn't help but read. We all missed you at Thanksgiving but theres a lifetime of Thanksgivings left. Hope all is well at the party Uncle David.
Alex Ward
Posted by: Alex Ward | December 20, 2007 at 10:18 PM
I have no doubt you'll be the life of the party, whether you're sitting on your reclining throne or not. Have a good time; you deserve it.
Posted by: Hillary | December 20, 2007 at 09:26 PM
Enjoy your evening David and draw strength from those who think the world of you and Sherry. Those people are who we call "friends".
Posted by: Mary | December 20, 2007 at 08:10 PM