Thursday, March 25, 2010

Slice of Lime-One of My Heroes

The office where I now work is a place where I have been a patient for many years. The staff there have supported me through the healing process after 4 car accidents and one unfortunate zipline incident. There have been a handful of times when I just sort of melted down in tears and someone there brought me a tissue and gave me a hug when I most needed it. A couple years ago one of those staff members went through the unimaginably painful process of loosing her son to cancer. I was honored to give her a few hugs when she really needed it in those dark days.

This week marked the anniversary of her son's death. She was determined not to spend the day in tears so she organized a happy and silly way to remember him by asking everyone to wear bandannas (his favorite accessory) so she could have some smiles and laughter on that day instead. That goal all by itself makes her a remarkable woman in my eyes. I've known others who have spent every day for decades making those around them miserable because they feel the world should pay for their loss. My coworker made a far different choice, perhaps a more difficult one but one that amazed me.

Here are some pictures to prove the smiles. My hero of a friend and coworker is the lady in the blue bandanna next to me. You're not actually surprised I wore a tie dyed bandanna are you? I wore mine around my neck because I've been fighting headaches for 2 weeks and I couldn't bear to tie it around my noggin.


At lunch we began the intense laughter therapy.
Start laughing or the bandanna bandit will have to use this finger to tickle you!


See no bandannas, hear no bandannas, speak of no bandannas.


And for the Monty Python fans out there, we have the tie dyed Gumbie.


18 comments:

Cricket said...

Though I remember (fondly) my life before children, I still cannot imagine my future without them. At any age. I'm sure my mother would say the same.

G-Man said...

I like a little pineapple on my ham!

Mona said...

I like your co worker's approach.

I am fed up of people over here, who expect me to cry every time they visit me!

Craig said...

You, my friend, are a honey-baked ham. . .

Just sayin'. . .

Friendships are simply wonderful, when they're working well. And the ones you all have in your office are of the most utterly precious kind. . .

Jazz said...

A tie-dyed Gumby... the only think missing from my world!

Jinksy said...

Your tie dye creation left me green with envy! Looks like you all had a good day despite tinge of sadness - just as it should be...

Craver Vii said...

That's cool how you support and encourage each other.

The gumby thing is profoundly intimidating. Please don't hurt me.

Logophile said...

What a wise friend you have there. So glad you are working there, looking like you fit right in... mostly
:p
and who would want it any other way?

Suldog said...

My Brain Hurts!

(LOOOOOVE the gumby look.)

Anonymous said...

Are you the brain specialist????

Hilary said...

Good for your friend for choosing to spend a goofy day rather than wallowing in the sadness. It's a wonderful way to celebrate her son's life. You sure look like you enjoy this job far more than the last one. I'm happy for you. :)

EmBee said...

This is just pure and simple (well not so simple) AWESOMENESS!

I also wanted to add that I'm so happy your working in a place with people you love.

S said...

OMG you have infected the office with blogging madness!
LOL

So much better than that last job, eh?

Jocelyn said...

Good for her and for all of you. What courage she has--and what good friends!

Kat said...

She sounds like an amazing woman. The triumph of the human spirit. I tell ya. It amazes me. :)

secret agent woman said...

I'm impressed - I have often thought that losing one of my children might be the one thing that could break me.

Anonymous said...

Give her a hug for me!!

Mary (ox)

Anonymous said...

You are a one-off. Wish you were my friend.