Today,
when my daughter’s ankle needed a second opinion,
and her doctor, our friend and cousin,
a dear and caring soul
who gives the best hugs ever
was unavailable
while focusing on his own healing,
I met a woman,
a doctor,
I would send Nancy to
without hesitation.
A woman,
a doctor,
who, like Frank,
knows that healing
involves caring
and eye contact
and laughter
and hugs.
A woman,
a doctor,
who, when she saw me stitching,
asked what I was doing
and stopped to listen,
really listen, I’m telling you,
and when I said I’m doing this
to give Nancy
and others like Nancy –
people from whom we tend to turn away –
voice and visibility,
grabbed her heart
and asked to see more,
vowing to find me on Facebook, even.
This woman,
this doctor,
is called Judith Chauvin.
She now knows my daughter,
and me,
and maybe one day,
if the need ever presents itself,
she’ll know Nancy, too.
~~~~~~~~~
She is my developmentally disabled sister-in-law, Nancy,
and I am Jeanne, the woman who flat-out loves her.
Go here to start at the beginning.
Great read. There is much truth in these sketches of self.
thanks, mark. i see you’ve had the same party guests.
Were they as messy at your party?
once again, the first thing that comes to mind is: you rock! i love every single girl you bring to the party, with all my heart.
oh kelly. kelly, kelly, kelly. and how do i love you back? let me see if i can begin to count the ways.
Ooo- I know these girls well. Aren’t they fun to disect when they come out! Unfortunately, I brought out WhatWasIThinking girl last night;)
me, i’d rather kill them in their sleep . . . all except for one;)
Now THAT’S a party! I wannabe Wannabe Girl!
me, too!
I know you’ve heard it all before but jeanne fo feenee banana ranna bo beenie… you rock.
oh brad, i never tire of hearing you sing that song.
I can certainly find myself in some of these girls.
well, actually, i’m glad (misery loves company) and i’m sorry (except for the ms. wannabe)!
What an awesome, unique party post! I like wannabe girl 🙂 I’m all the other girls too but wannabe girl kicks ass doesn’t she? Go Wanna! Go Wanna!
on yes. wannabe kicks ass. and then some.
Yet again, your creativity & uniqueness blows me away. Love that I can relate to these girls & that you nailed it!
thank you, danielle. glad you can relate . . . and sorry you can relate (to some of the party guests, anyway!)
This is my kind of party Jeanne, all guests welcome, a feast. A delight to read your words. Love!
each of them does contribute something. it’s like a covered dish party. i mean, feast!
This weblog is being featured on Five Star Friday!
http://www.schmutzie.com/fivestarfriday/2010/12/10/five-star-fridays-130th-edition-is-brought-to-you-by-james-f.html
oh WOW. what an HONOR. i’m thrilled – thank you. i’ve often dropped in to see the five-star friday list, never dreaming i’d be there one day. thank you.
Congratulations, Trophy Girl. I loved every word.
brooke, brooke, brooke. i am liking you more and more. the post i read over at your place last night was fabo.
Oh and how I know these girls! You wrote them so well. I felt them sitting on my shoulders to see their lives in print. I love your voice! Thank you.
i love how you put that: looking over your shoulder to see their lives in print. love it. and you, of course.
What a unique and kickass post! You bring a smile to my face every single day with your posts 🙂
thank you, stereo. you know, the word “kickass” always makes me smile for some reason that i don’t think i’ll bother to excavate;)
Brilliant party post! Thank yo!
thanks, vinita. glad you dropped by. can i refill your drink?
This is wonderful! Brimming with imagery and I can just see sparkles and glitter all over wannabe girl.
Stephanie
@dancingwaves