Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Brown Bag Lunch

In addition to not liking to cook, I also don't like to make school lunches in the morning. I've been doing this for 11 years now and I find it a very tedious chore. Now, I know many of you are probably asking yourselves, "Why in the heck is Pam still making lunches for her daughters who are in High School and Middle School." And THAT, my friends, is an excellent question. And one for another post. One I'll write as soon as I figure out the answer.

Anyway, the reason I'm writing about something so mundane is that I read an article in our local paper about a guy named Bill, who is (like me) in his late 40's. He recently went to the doctor complaining of stomach pains. His doctor thought it was most likely an ulcer. Well, it turns out Bill does not have an ulcer. He has stomach and esophageal cancer. But that's not all, the doctor also found a lesion on his brain. Bill had surgery to deal with that 13 days ago and started chemotherapy for the cancer on Monday. Just days after brain surgery, Bill said that the one thing he couldn't wait to get back to was making school lunches for his three teenage sons. Whoa! That statement really stopped me in my tracks. What a reality check. I will never complain about making lunches again. And tomorrow morning when I pack those brown paper bags, I will send up a silent prayer of well-being for Bill.

19 comments:

mommakin said...

Wow, that does indeed - throw things into perspective. Thanks for sharing this.

Sandy said...

You are speaking about Bill Cummings. Bill's wife, Lisa, has also been battling cancer for the last several years so this diagnosis of his illness was especially brutal for the family. I don't know them personally but many of my close friends do and everyone is in shock about this. The community is pulling together to help in many ways including a fundraiser to be held later this month. And, yes, stories like this help to put many things in life into perspective.

Pam said...

Hi Tammy - It sure does! We must all remember to count our blessings.

Sandy! - I had no idea you were acquainted with Bill. How great that the community it rallying around Bill and Lisa. Stories like this always bring out the best in people.

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

OH my! What an amazing story. I think I'm going to joyfully make my children's lunches today. Thanks for the perspective!

~Shaye

http://millermemoir.blogspot.com

Pam said...

Hi Momma - Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I will definitely be less grumpy making lunches from now on.

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

Wow. That is a great perspective.

Thanks for stopping by my blog this morning!

Annelie said...

It is all about the perspective. I know, my whole world changed when my husband got sick 6 months ago, and "loving each day" really has become my mantra. Perspective is a good thing.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Pam said...

Hi Kelly - Thanks for visiting.

Snarky - LOVE your new mantra. I write a Thankful Thursday post every week as a way to "look on the bright side". I hope your husband is doing well.

Unknown said...

sometimes it's the simple things we take for granted that we miss when we can't do them huh?
Leavin some love from SITS!!

Pam said...

Christy - How right you are!

Bethany said...

What a great way to put things into perspective! Thank you for that!

Pam said...

Hi Bethany - So glad you stopped by my blog. Sometimes a story like that is all it takes for a reality check. I know it worked for me.

nan said...

A little silent prayer coming from my way too!

Pam said...

Thanks Nan!

Gail said...

That does put it in perspective. I still make my kids lunches too (7th grade and 3rd grade) but I did tell Eric that I didn't think I'd be getting up early enough to do it when he's in high school (school starts at 7:30 or so) but we'll see.

Gail

Pam said...

Gail! So glad you chimed in. You are smart to think about not making Eric's lunches when he's in HS... NOW! Otherwise you'll end up a "marshmallow momma" like me.

Gamma Sharon said...

I made lunches for Hubby and kids. Hubby for 25 years. He is now retired and I think making lunches was easier than fixing him something at lunch time now that he is home. But... this makes me thankful for what I have.

Pam said...

Sharon - you are a saint! 25 years of lunch making - wow! That might be a world record. LOL!

Unknown said...

Wow Pam, that does put things into perspective doesn't it?
I'm a slacker, my husband is the sandwich maker for our three. I stand by for moral support.

 

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