Gallimaufry

      When John F Kennedy died, we only had three television stations, I'm not sure that the PBS channel was up and running yet.  But we watched non stop that weekend, that is until the station went off the air with the National Anthem and then the test pattern.  Vern took Leah and Lora to Mass that Sunday and I stayed home with the younger ones.  I still remember having the telly on and seeing Lee Harvey Oswald get shot.  Shocking!!    We couldn't get enough of the classic grace of Jacqueline.  All these years later, I can still conjure up those memories.
       Now with stations and particularly news 24/7, I got caught up in the shooting in Connecticut.  I couldn't stop watching.  Finally on Saturday, I made myself take a shower and leave the house.  I went grocery shopping at Lindys in Washington.  When I got home again, I was back in front of the TV.
       This shooting was not about mental illness or weapons control but out and out evil.  The shooter knew what he was doing, damaged the hard drive on his computer, shot his mother, carried his brother's ID and killed babies because they would give him no resistance and then the coward killed himself when the police came.  We need to stop citing reasons why people do these acts and just admit there is evil in this world.

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       In our bulletin last Sunday, there was a story about a young woman who took part in the London marathon last year.  She was running to raise 500 pounds for a charity.  A mile before the finish, she collapsed and died.  When the public heard about her death, people sent in money to the charity and over 100,000 pounds was raised.  There is also a lot of good in the world.

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       I got the results from my last PET scan on Tuesday.  I was really concerned as it has been seven months since my last chemo treatment.  I asked if any daughters would be available to go with me so I wouldn't be alone when I got the results.  Two of them came to town to be here.  The news was good or at least good enough.  The cancer has increased a little but not significantly.  In fact, the result is the same as when I was getting treatments.  We talked a little about why my cancer is so slow growing and others that I know, diagnosed after me have died or are near death.  The doctor said that most lung cancer is more aggressive and this slow growing type is unusual.   I will go back in March for another scan.  My friend, Phyllis says that God is not done with me yet.
         On the way home from the Cancer Center, we stopped at Jim's Steak House for bloody marys, our drink of choice for good news.  Maureen told the waitress we were celebrating because I had had good news.  I told her what had happened.  She just looked at me for a second and said:  "That's really nice for you, but my mother has lung cancer and there is nothing that can be done for her!"  I took her hand and told her I was so sorry and I would pray for her mom.  We ordered soup and when we were done and the bill was paid, she came over and whispered in my ear:  "I think God sent you here today, to give me hope!"  Is that what God wants me to do, give hope?  Lord knows, we need a large dose of it these days.