Mom had just graduated high school. My dad was attending Texas A&M.
All in the Family debuted that year. The Ed Sullivan Show aired its last episode. Apollo 14 & 15 landed on the moon. The Vietnam War was in full swing. Southwest Airlines began flying passengers between Dallas, San Antonio and Houston. Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, FL. Top single of the year was “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night.
So few marriages make it 10 years today. They’ve been married 39 years and are going just as strong as ever. They work together both professionally and personally. They are each others best friend. They not only take those vows they said personally, they live them every single day. They still go on dates. Still hold hands. Still laugh together, cry together, and, yes, even bicker now and then. But its all a part of a strong marriage that I look up to and try to emulate in my own.
My parents are two of my best friends and role models. I couldn’t ask for better parents… I get a huge grin and have to agree when friends go, “You’re parents are SO COOL!” because, hey, they are!
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!! I love you!!
My parents with their parents on their wedding day.Yes, Dad's eyes are closed. LOL
I’ll be honest, up until around ten years ago, I didn’t know much about Muscular Dystrophy. About all I knew was that on Labor Day, Jerry Lewis held an MDA telethon that tore at my heart. Still, I didn’t really understand or connect with it.
Until my nephew was diagnosed with, specifically, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
My nephew turns 13 in a little over a month, and he’s doing well, beating the odds of most kids his age with DMD. And for that fact, everyone close to him is very thankful. He’s smart, handsome and a total joy.
He plays in junior high band. He’s a saxophone player… I think he knows girls find that hawt. (Don’t we.) He consistently amazes me the things he’s interested in and has taught me. I get him a Guinness Book of World Records every Christmas. I like to call it “our thing.”
He has a very distinct knowledge of right and wrong, and more than once I’ve found him to be the voice of my own conscience! He’s working his way towards becoming an Eagle Scout, and he loves cars and trucks. His dad works at a Ford dealership and is a certified mechanic; I think that’s a big part of where that love of cars comes from.
If it wasn’t for the fact that he’s stout and his calf muscles are bigger than most kids. If it wasn’t for the fact that he can’t run or be in any sports. If it wasn’t for the fact that when going a longer distance, he is in a wheel chair, you’d never know there was something wrong.
You’d never know he is dealing with things most people will never have to acknowledge.
What is muscular dystrophy?
First and foremost, muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder. You can’t catch it from someone. Its not contagious. It’s something you are born with due to basic issues in the individuals genes. These issues weaken the body’s muscles, muscles that we all know from basic science courses make the body move. This weakening continues on as the individual ages, which is why some cases aren’t diagnosed until adulthood.
According to a report in June 2005 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, “Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, alone affect approximately 1 in every 3,500 to 5,000 boys, or between 400 and 600 live male births each year in the United States.” [National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke]
Is it fatal?
Sadly, yes, it can be fatal. Remember the heart is a muscle. Muscular dystrophy can affect the heart, lungs, etc. and eventually it can claim the individual’s life. (This is the part I can’t dwell on, because it rips my heart out. I think that goes for all of the family.)
My nephew and family at Stride & Ride, an MDA Fundraiser, in Dallas, TX.
What can be done?
Every day research is being done to help combat muscular dystrophy. This research and the knowledge and drugs that have come from it are a big part of why my nephew is doing as well as he is. That along with sheer determination, an optimistic attitude, and absolutely amazing parents (and little sister!) that support him.
This research is a huge part of why the MDA Telethon is so very important. Every dollar helps move the research closer to a cure. Every dollar can help save a life. Every dollar brings hope to those who face muscular dystrophy every day.
So, what’s this Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy your nephew has?
I’ve recently discovered Parent Project MD, which focuses strictly on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. They’ve posted a video to YouTube explaining DMD wonderfully. It gives hope, but it also had me in tears at times. But, I want to share it here to educate.
Yes, its almost 10 minutes long, but it is worth it. I promise. Please take the time to watch and hopefully understand.
A few final thoughts: as many people go out on the lake or have a backyard barbecue, many others are relying on the Labor Day telethon to be a success. As you look away from the screen, not wanting to see a child in a wheelchair, families find joy in their child’s life, and they pray for a cure to keep that child living the best life they possibly can.
In our dismal economy, it seems like we’re all having our pocketbooks squeezed until they are dry. I know mine is… but even one dollar helps. It helps. It matters. I will happily give up a dinner out to see my nephew’s life made better. To see the lives of thousands of kids made better. They are all more than worth it.
My little vacation ended as of today. For the last week, I unplugged heavily and enjoyed having my parents visit. I continued to post in my various locations — Facebook, Twitter, here, etc. — but if anyone pays much attention they probably noticed that my volume of interaction decreased dramatically. That was because I wanted to enjoy my company. I wanted to live in the moment more. I loved it.
However, today, my parents headed home to Texas. Last I talked to my mom, they were over half-way home. I’m always sad to see them leave, and I know they aren’t ever in a hurry to go either. But that’s a good thing! I’d hate it if they couldn’t wait to leave! That would be a serious bummer and would throw off all kinds of alarm bells.
No, it is just time to get back to work. They have their business to run, and I have my own to continue to build. While they were here, we did nail down a lot of projects I’ve had lined up to tackle. When I finish this post, I plan to pull out a spiral notebook and really outline my various projects. Outline my goals. Outline a game plan.
I am a HUGE fan of to do lists these days. It’s too easy to let things slide without a list, or its too easy to let little projects come ahead of big projects because you don’t realize the massiveness of those projects.
Like I said, I am always sad to say good bye to my parents. I have this incredible relationship with them that I cherish deeply. It was fun to take an impromptu vacation at home, and it was good for me to let my hair down and put my worries and stresses aside.Now I feel more prepared to move forward with a clearer head and clearer mission. I had said that I was letting August be like a new start for me, and it really has been! I’m running with that, and keeping a positive focus on everything.
I have to admit. I totally stole this post idea from the Newlyweds Next Door. It’s called lack of inspiration, and I have it right now. So here goes:
1. Saturday night means ghost shows on Biography for me. I really have no interest in ever meeting a ghost, but I find these shows fascinating. A guilty pleasure. A cheap thrill. All of the above.
2. I want to pursue more writing towards faith and my religion. No, I don’t mean in this blog, so don’t anyone run away! LOL! I mean freelance writing. There are a lot of Catholic publishing papers, etc. that I want to approach and send queries for articles. I think that could be really rewarding for me.
3. I set up a Facebook Page for this blog. I’d love for you to “Like” me over there!
4. The artist my husband works for played an MDA Fundraiser today. This made me super happy! Labor Day is quickly approaching, which means the big MDA Telethon. I’ve been meaning to call the local MDA office and volunteer to help that day. Consider that officially on my “to do this week” list.
5. I’d like to share with you a picture of three of my most favorite people in the world:
Me with my parents and my husband.
6. My parents hooked me up with some new clothes this week. Me? Spoiled? Okay, maybe a little bit. hehehe! But, I have to admit, it’s really given me a boost. I don’t buy new clothes all that often, so when I get a few items, its fun. I noticed in my purchasing… I’m definitely growing up. I gravitated towards slightly more mature fashions. Guess I really am pushing 30, huh?
7. I’m determined to finish the book I am reading and get it reviewed this next week. The sad thing is that the book is less than 150 pages long. And I’ve had it for a month. Unacceptable level of reading being done by yours truly these days.
7.5. I read a LOT more Blogs than I’ve ever read before. Learning from my peers and loving it.
8. Confession: I am hooked on Big Brother 12. Along with Top Chef and Next Food Network Star.
9. Since I sent it to a friend this week, here is my recipe for Chicken Salad:
No exact measurements. Add everything to taste!
Bake chicken breasts seasoned with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. I like to let it chill overnight, so plan this dish a day ahead of time. I find it easier to cut up the chicken, plus then the salad is definitely cold. Boil eggs, peel and then chill them as well. Chop the chicken and eggs. Mix those with mayo, sweet relish and pepper to taste. Serve!
10. I’ve seriously enjoyed having my parents visit this last week. I basically took vacation right along with them, and it has allowed me to really enjoy the time with them. I’m going to hate to see them head back to Texas soon, but I know work beckons for all of us. A bummer, but it also makes weeks like this last one possible. And for that, I am grateful! Always grateful to have any work.
I have no idea what any of us did to July to make it so harsh this year, but whatever it is, I think I speak for almost everyone, we’re sorry!
I’ve mentioned a few things I’ve experienced this month in this blog. And I’ve left other things out. (Perhaps those will come in a later blog entry.) But all around me, I’ve heard tales of tragedy and hardships.
My two best friends have both had cancer strike their families. My “best friend from high school” has a aunt that was diagnosed, and my “best friend from college” had her mother-in-law diagnosed. Both within a day of each other.
A friend here in Nashville has a nephew that has been diagnosed with cancer as well.
An acquaintance from high school had tragedy strike, leaving her brother and a nephew in a burn unit in Dallas. Her other nephew, however, did not survive the accident.
A client of my family’s business had a heart attack and was left in ICU (out of state!) for a few days because of it.
My own nephew, today, is having a doctors appointment in Dallas regarding his Muscular Dystrophy. These regular appointments are key to his doing as well as he has done all these years, but I also know the appointments are stressful and carry a level of uncertainty every time.
All of these events have weighed heavy on my heart. Each event — every single one of them — are valid concerns and stressors. While some may be considered more “severe” than others, it does not lessen the feelings that come with each and every one.
All I can do, all so many of us can do, is simply say a few prayers for strength and comfort for each person and family affected by these negative events. I often find myself wondering why? Why do these things happen? Why so many all at the same time?
Then I remind myself, sometimes the reason is not for us to know. Or perhaps the reason will come to light in the future. No matter what, we all pull together and help each other. We support each other. And in the end, we grow from these challenges. They make us appreciate the good times more. They make us work a little harder.
Hang in there everyone. We’re all going to get through all our various trials by taking it a day at a time and by leaning on each other. I welcome anyone needing a place to vent or to share their own story – no matter how trivial or how extreme — in the comments. Sometimes it helps just to talk, and I’m a good listener.
"If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it. " -- Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird
