What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[Luke]

So, "converting to Wicca" and people talking about how terrible their Moms are?

Smile: Celebrating Memorial Day for those who can't.

Frown: Usually my frown posts are half jokes sprinkled with an intentional sense of self righteousness. Not everyone picks up on the joke...and that's not surprising.

Unfortunately, besides that last one, no jokes to be made about my frown today.

My Mother is going in for heart surgery today to treat her atrial fibrillation as blood thinners aren't cutting the mustard. I'm not comfortable with her surgeon, as he said "Web MD is an excellent site for research". But I pick nits when there is a 40% chance that she won't be alive in a few months.

So I consulted to whom I consider the smartest man on Earth, my Pops. I asked how things were going, and he said "Not so good". Apparently my Mother fell flat, face first, while walking into a grocery store, chipping a few of her teeth. Mother is also down to a hundred pounds, so she's lost over a third of her weight. I ask my Dad about the surgeon, an d he's comfortable with him. Dad did a very thorough background check, and he also mentioned that he grilled him on his cardiac knowledge. That made me feel better. Also, when my Mother broke the news, my dog Ripley ran up to me and started kissing/licking my arm and face (that dog knows me too well).

When I asked "How's Mom?", Dad said "She's been better". When I asked him "How are you?", he responded with "Oh, I'm fine". So that is comforting.

My Pops is set to retire in September, and if Mom passes away before then I know it will destroy him. It will destroy me too, but I couldn't imagine losing my wife days before being able to spend the rest of my open life with her.

Obviously I'm rambling because I'm a bit upset, but also because I'm thinking about how my family handles things when the world throws shit in your face. When my Grandmother had Lung Cancer (while in her 70's!) I was told "She's got a bad throat infection". Now it's the day of surgery and my parents just now drop this.

I guess that is just in my family's blood. Keep it close to the chest, think about others before yourself, don't make your family worry, and trust no one.

...Man. That (Keep it close to the chest, think about others before yourself, don't make your family worry, and trust no one) would make a cool family shield/motto. Currently our family motto is "If it is slimy or smells funny, don't eat it".

[jinx]

My thoughts are with you and your mom, Luke. I hope all goes well.

[AppleQueso]

My thoughts are with you and your mom, Luke. I hope all goes well.

Same.

Seems like an awful lot of people are dealing with family stuff like that lately.

[Retrodude]

The question I have is why is it necessary to tell your parents when you're still dependent on them?

Well, in my case, it was more about not wanting to have to hide it. No one should have to hide who they are because if you have to hide it, that implies that there's something wrong with it. As Dr. Seuss says, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

[Luke]

My thoughts are with you and your mom, Luke. I hope all goes well.

Same.

Seems like an awful lot of people are dealing with family stuff like that lately.

Thanks dudes.

Usually my frowns are: God Damned Dandelions! I mowed my yard TWO days ago!

But this is a bit serious. Not that I would tell my Mom that. Here's how nonchalant I was in a few quips...

Mom: There is a 40% chance I'll die.

Me: Mom, actually your odds aren't even that good. Everyday there is a 50/50 chance you'll kick the bucket.

__

Mom: Well, I lost consciousness, fell flat on my face on pavement, and broke a few teeth.

Me: Meh, I've lost more teeth playing hockey. Plus, veneers are super cheap these days.

__

Mom: If things don't go well, I wanted to tell you I love you.

Me: If things don't go well, I already know that, and you know the same. You beat Cancer Mom. CANCER. This'll be a cakewalk.



So in short, I'm a bit terrified...but as long as my Father is super laid back about all of this, I won't waste my time and energy (especially while on holiday) worrying. And as cold as it might sound, we all gotta go sometime. Lord knows I want her around for my Father, but if she is suffering (I have no clue if she is), I wish her peace.

[brunoafh]

Shit man, I really wish the best to you and your family. Hard to come up with words when life delivers blows like that.

[BogusMeatFactory]

My thoughts go out to you Luke. Even though I don't really know you, I know how hard it can be to go through the slow, painstakingly frightening waiting game when it deals with heart issues. My father went through the same and even after we thought that things were going well, he just passed. There were no signs or indications and he was active.

I hope that things do go well and that, no matter what the outcome, that you and your family find peace.

[Luke]

My thoughts go out to you Luke. Even though I don't really know you...

I'm that guy who beats a lot of games, screens a lot of movies, brags about himself, talks a lot about yard work, his wife and dog, hates people who illegally park in handicap spaces, isn't afraid to back down from a fight while wearing a sweater vesneet, and tells an occasionally funny joke (and is incredibly handsome). You know me.


But I appreciate your thoughts and words.

Dad is giving me the "I'll tell you what you need to know when we think you need to know something" routine. Made me wish he said that in James Gandolfini's voice.

Things will be fine. Modern medicine is pretty incredible and a death scare can rattle your cage so hard you quit every bad habit.

[MrPopo]

The question I have is why is it necessary to tell your parents when you're still dependent on them?

Well, in my case, it was more about not wanting to have to hide it. No one should have to hide who they are because if you have to hide it, that implies that there's something wrong with it. As Dr. Seuss says, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Yes, this applies when talking about peers. The parent/child dynamic is completely different. I'm willing to bed that you knew exactly what the reaction was going to be before you told them, and you went ahead with it anyway. That's got an element of payback to it.

[Luke]

Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss


Are you sure Ted Theodore Logan didn't say this first?