The other reading my brother and his new wife chose to have at their wedding was taken from “Parenthood”, the 1989 Steve Martin film. The grandmother describes being taken on a roller coaster:-
“You know, when I was nineteen, Grandpa took me on a roller coaster. Up, down, up, down. Oh, what a ride! I always wanted to go again. You know, it was just interesting to me that a ride could make me feel so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited and so thrilled, altogether! Some didn’t like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it”.
I like that idea about life. That you don’t quite know what’s round the corner – personally I bloody hate scary rides, BUT I like the analogy…and I’d prefer the excitement of the roller coaster to the monotony of the merry-go-round any day….
However, our family seem to be experiencing one of the more dramatic rides of life at the moment – after the dizzying heights of the wonderful, wonderful wedding, we’ve just had to plummet from a great height back down to earth because my father has just had a major operation.
We were aware some time ago that his cancer had come back. He chose to delay his operation until after our trip to Africa and after his son’s wedding – which made my holiday with him all the more important. He had his operation yesterday and I stayed with my mother. We went to see him just after the operation and he looked really really awful. The surgery had taken a lot longer than we’d expected and they were debating whether to give him a blood transfusion.
Today when my mother and I went to see him he looked a million times better. However, the tumour was bigger than they’d thought. The surgeon thinks he’ll have to have radiotherapy now as well. He was being so brave today and was making jokes and being incredibly positive about it all. So I’m crossing everything and hoping all will be well.
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
My prayers are with you – God bless! x
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Sending prayers and positive thoughts as well as a few hugs to you all.
September 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Crossing everything for you too.
That rollercoaster is definitely better than an even keel, but goodness me it takes it's toll.
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
All my love to you hon. Please give your Dad my huge regards (can they be huge? I hope so) and i know dad and Dee will want to send lots of love and strength too.
T xxxx
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Lulu, hello. Am thinking of you and your lovely Dad tonight, and will again tomorrow & the next day. Fingers and toes crossed. So, so glad that you made it to The Polana and that you both liked it and that your time in Africa was so special. Loved reading every single post (and your fab pics!) since being back online myself. Your Dad sounds like a real gem. How brave to do the holiday and the wedding and then straight into this. All strength to you both. xx
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I like the idea of life being like a rollercoaster too. One of mine and ex's 'songs' was Rollercoaster by Red Hot Chilli Peppers, which I guess really summarised our relationship from start to finish.
I sincerely hope that your father recovers and gets through all the treatment with the same positive attitude. And gets to live more of the rollercoaster of life with you and your family. Healing thoughts are winging your way.
September 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Crossing fingers for you and remembering your family in my prayers
Hoping that your father makes a rapid recovery and can join you on the rollercoaster ride again really soon
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Positive vibes for him from me. xx
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:03 am
I shall cross everything too xx
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 am
the highs and lows of life. How we have to have one to really appreciate the other. Thinking of you and your family at this time and hoping that all goes well. xx
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 am
Thinking of you! It is exhausting to be dealing with such highs and lows of emotion and not fair following such a happy event – but howwonderful that your Africa trip went ahead.
xx
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:00 am
Hi,
We're looking to launch a campaign at the end of this month and would be interested in featuring a video on your blog featuring the Geek Squad agents (www.geeksquad.co.uk) – the video would be in the form of a tutorial to help familiarise mums returning to work with the computer software and equipment they'll be likely to encounter. The short tutorials (we're planning a series) will be free to view and downloadable for sharing with friends.
Geek Squad provides IT home support. Its aim is to make technology easy to understand and use.
I would like to discuss whether we could work with you by upoloading this tutorial on your blog for fellow mums to watch. We anticipate it will also be as relevant and useful to mums or dads wanting to understand how better to make the most of the technology in their home.
Looking forward to hearing from you .
Best,
Kim
020 7611 3640
07714 761782
kim.power@ketchum.com
September 4th, 2009 at 2:12 am
xxxx
thinking of you all
September 4th, 2009 at 10:54 am
How wonderful! When I officiated my brother and sister-in-law's wedding a few years back, I used a roller coaster analogy, too! I didn't know there was one from Parenthood… maybe subconsciously I remembered and channeled it.
(I chose it because they are roller-coaster thrill seekers!!!)
September 4th, 2009 at 10:55 am
And PS… sending healing thoughts and energies…
September 4th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Remember to breathe – look after yourself. You're a great daughter/mum/friend – keep well.
September 4th, 2009 at 11:54 am
thank you so much for all your best wishes Lxx