“Singing In The Rain” Chapter 82

A few weeks ago I was texting with a friend and she said, “I’m sorry I haven’t come over to visit, but it’s hard for me to see you like that.” Not even two days later, another friend said the same thing.

I understand what they are saying and can empathize with how they feel, but I told them both that there are basically three options when it comes to visiting a friend who is dying:

1. You just don't visit and be happy with your choices.

2. Visit me when I am alive. Laugh and cry a little, and know your heart is full with no regrets.

3. Come to my funeral and regret you didn't do number 2 a lot.

I also tell them that, "personally, I want number 2."

I don’t say this to place guilt on them and I know it might come off as kind of harsh. The truth is, not everyone can handle seeing a friend who is sick.

However, those who do visit are quite surprised how mentally alert PALS are. With the right tools and patience, we can have a great conversation.  Last week my friend Jim called and asked if I wanted to go see the “Lt. Dan Band" on Fort Belvoir. After coordinating the date and time with Laura, the next thing we had to look at was the weather and location. Since it was an outdoor concert on grass, if it was too wet, the wheelchair might get stuck. We also had to be prepared to protect the equipment if it rained.

We did our proper planning and were ready, but sometimes the Devil wants to test your conviction. The weather was beautiful all week so the ground was dry and the wheelchair was going to be fine. Dominique reconned the parking situation and coordinated a spot for “BAB’s” which stands for “Big Ass Beast”. After converting our Toyota Sienna to adapt for the wheelchair and ramp, it’s about 1 foot taller than other vans. So when driving it, you feel super tall.

When we woke up on Thursday morning, wouldn’t you know it, it was raining. Not hard, necessarily, but potentially too much for our needs. Questions started to consume us, and the Devil was starting in already. By noon it was sunny and getting hot, so we looked at the Devil and said, “Get that corn outta my face.” 

https://youtu.be/fOLyoxBSo1g?si=dLqtldV-YlKVUjdU

Jim arrived later to go to the concert and the Devil was knocking again. “I have to poop," I said to Laura. For a person without ALS it’s not a five minute delay, for me it is a 30 minutes to a hour process. (You can read all about this in chapter 70). Luckily it was the abbreviated version and we dropped kicked the Devil out the door again!

We loaded up into BAB’s and off we went. It was only a short 15 minutes and we were parking in the VIP spot Dominique arranged. The ground was dry and we settled in for the concert. Lt. Dan Band didn’t disappoint as they covered an array of songs everyone would enjoy. About 30 minutes in l, I looked over and the Devil was coming back as the band started playing “The Devil went down to Georgia .” The fiddle was screaming and the clouds rolled in when it started to rain. Some fair weather fans packed up and left as we put on our armor and picked up our shields and Mic dropped his ass one last time. It was about 30 minutes later and the sun was back out to enjoy the rest of the concert.

As we were leaving, I thanked Jim for the invitation and for helping us make it happen. He mentioned that he had an idea of how much work it might take to go on an adventure, but now understands the full details involved. We had a wonderful time with Jim and his wife Ratchaya. I hope this was the first of many adventures.

I also hope you never find yourself in a position with a sick friend, but if you do, I pray you choose option 2 above. Don’t let the Devil win and if he does appear you tell him, “Get that corn outta my face.”

Love and Blessings.

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