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Honk if you’re thankful! Judging from the sounds of my morning and evening commutes, S. Florida drivers are super thankful. Who knew that it was gratitude driving this behavior not anger issues or self importance as I had thought. I wanted to share with you one of my favorite Debbie stories tonight.
Let me take you back to last winter. Our boys had home games early. The hubby picked up John and TK and bring them to the rink for warm-ups. Debbie and I didn’t need to be there an hour early. Consequently, she picked me up an hour later. She was even kind enough to stop at Dunkin’, so I could get my coffee fix. On our drive to the rink, we talked about things she wanted to do in the near future. She was headed North to New York to visit family and ski, but she wanted to go to Iceland to see the Northern lights.
It was then that she dropped it on me. Debbie had decided that she wanted me to take her to a rave in Miami. Keep in mind, this was probably a week or two after the devastating fire at a rave in San Francisco that had killed 36 people. Not to mention, raves in Miami aren’t known to be held in the safest locations or be the safest events.
I looked her and asked if she was serious and/or crazy, she was in fact quite serious. As I’m digesting this request, it dawns on me that Debbie determined that I might just be the hockey mom crazy enough to take her to a rave. Sadly, and I hate to disappoint people here, even I am not that crazy. We started talking it through and I told her that likely we’d both end up dead if we went to a rave in Miami. Can you imagine two hockey moms at a rave with glow in the dark pacifiers? I mean, can you?
Rather than head to a rave, I suggested we try going to Ultra or WMC in Miami. The atmosphere would be similar, but more controlled than a warehouse rave. Debbie started looking to possible DJ shows we could hit too, but that pesky hockey schedule kept getting in the way. As it turns out, WMC and Ultra were scheduled on spring break when Debbie and the family were going to be out of town.
One of the things that struck me most in our conversation was the fact that Debbie and her family had been planning things in three month windows. Debbie and John, throughout Deb’s illness, were both so inspiring in their attitudes and approach to life. In that moment, it struck me like a ton of bricks. While we all plan our lives in days, months and years, they had been planning their life around an illness for almost two years. Just when you think you’re inspired by people, they blow you away with their amazingness in a whole new way.
On the heels of the boys’ state tournament, we received the devastating news. Debbie’s doctors were admitting her to hospice. Incomprehensibly, Debbie’s doctors determined that she had exhausted all treatment options. It bothers me that Debbie and I never got to SoBe to enjoy a dance party, but I know she’s dancing in heaven. The lesson here is don’t wait to pursue your passions or your bucket list trips – go for it now. And of course, honk if you’re thankful.
Lastly, tonight is the deadline for online registration for the Purple Stride event. If you’re thinking about participating, it’s go time. There is no deadline for online donations to the team. However, donations received after Friday will not be applied to the team total. You can join the team or donate here Support Team Deb Force Five! You can also cheer us on Sunday at FAU. The race starts at 8:30 am.
Tonight’s song is one of my favorites from Swedish House Mafia “Don’t You Worry Child.” At their peek, the group spent most of their time providing the soundtrack in SoBe. I hope you enjoy the song!
Daily Prompt: honk
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