Where do I start? So many thoughts, emotions, and stuff swirling around. I LOVED that I had the opportunity to sit and talk with “Doc” today, to have those moments of time to recap and and just share life. The opportunity to catch you up on the family, of course you always asked after them, today was no different. Over the past three years I have lost two family members and many more loved ones to this cursed thing called Cancer. I cherish the opportunity given to me today, to sit with you.
Our first encounter with the walking enigma (his brain and memory blows my mind) was back when he performed my brother’s second hernia surgery. During the surgery he saw some other abnormalities that he fixed for kicks and giggles and could possibly be the reason I am the proud aunt of my nieces and nephew. Our family became friends with the Christy’s, we shared mutual friends, and ended up at the same fish fries and BBQ’s and a bond was formed that turned friends into family.
Time went on, summers were spent at the pool and learning care of the ‘salt water balance’ eventually turned into conversations around the dinner table and plans made for what I would be when I grew up. I picked a profession close to your heart — the medical field (though it took me awhile to get to this point, it was a second career move for me and one I do not regret).
You guys were staunch supporters of my endeavors, my walking encyclopedia, my phone book, my connections, and then my benefactor. When my dad told me that you asked me to come by because you wanted to give me a graduation gift, I was not expecting the one I received that day. That was the first of many solo visits I would make to your house to just sit and talk.
The talk was mainly shop talk or about the newest research on MS (especially after your own daughter was also dx — we then had three cases to compare: Riley, me, and Laura). Then options started including St Louis, places to eat and things to see and do. I took the leap of faith and moved away…yet you were always there to take my phone call or text. Willing to help or provide me with information to help assist my friends and loved ones, or to help me understand a scenario I had encountered.
Today as I sat by your bedside, you saluted me and told me how proud of me you were…I sit humbled as I type this knowing the man from whence the words flowed. The one that is just a phone call away, that would give advice and guidance to those who sought it. Then when I was introduced to your son awhile later and he paused after hearing my name and then said “the nurse”. Made me think my name may have been mentioned a time or two. LOL.
I have found that when I am given a word or phrase to focus on that life stands up to boldly ask if I was just throwing it out there to go with the flow or if I will live what I have said. The end of January I blogged concerning the phrase “it is well” and the Shunammite Woman who was facing loss of her son. I want to stand up and shout back at life that “IT IS WELL”, but for now as the tears flow and my heart aches because I know in my heart that we are loosing a legend.
You mentioned today that you had to retire early r/t the loss of your depth perception; but in your retirement and loss of perception in your eyes it opened up a perception in your heart for those who needed you most. We are a group of misfits but we have all been touched by the love you and Mary have shared. I am whispering that ‘it is well’ and I pray that the days ahead we all find the peace we will need to be able to stand up and shout the phrase and know there is truth in it and not just words.
To the man known as John Christy to the world and lovingly called Doc by friends, thank you for seeing the potential and encouraging me to reach for the stars…never doubting that they could not be obtained. I will highly consider to move upward and not just parallel to my current status. It is well.
With love…ERM