Sorry, I've been missing in action all weekend ^_^ I only worked Thursday night. I swear I'm going to be broke this week. Oh well. I needed this weekend more than a fish out of water. After all, it was Halloween. You did not really expect me to work yet another Halloween night. (I did it last year and honestly, it was not worth it)
Friday's plans were met by family issues (my parents did not like the area where the party was, hence why I did not go). Honestly, I did not complain (much) about this. I spent the night with my cousin Steph. Bugged out with the family, at least my dad had a great bday ^_^ (and that was the important part).
I loved the face my dad made when he read the card. It was priceless. Growing up, he had been there for me through it all. This might be odd, but I can tell my dad about a guy in my life with ease and my mom... well, let's just continue about my father, shall we? The problem is, with my mom, whenever I mention anything it becomes "Oh yea, I know what you mean...(and changes subject)." The worst part is mentioning that person's name again on a later date and she suddenly has amnesia. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother, I just wish I had that mother-daughter relationship most of my friends have with their mothers.
This weekend, yesterday to be exact, I saw a man I met when working for my brother over the summer. He had walked in around August with his mother looking for business cards. She did not seem sure what she wanted on the card. I remember filling out the work order, 2,500 BCs for $150, one-sided (it was one of the summer specials). That was her final decision, her son, Rolando, convinced her to do business with us. She wanted the cards by a certain time. I told her It takes 3-4 business days. I said sometimes they come in exactly 3, but I cannot guarantee it. She seemed worried about something... like whatever it was had her pacing her every move. When she stepped out to get something in the car, Rolando told me "I'm sorry about my mother, she was just hit with cancer that's why she's rushing things" (those were'nt his exact words, but somewhere along those lines). I felt bad, like I wanted to do something, but I couldn't. I helped them with the work order, they said they'd email me a picture. And off they went... after that summer afternoon, I ran into him in the street that weekend. I was walking with A.V. (a guy I was somewhat interested in...long story, rather not mention). It was down Market St. in Paterson. At the time, I did not recognize Rolando (I was deep in conversation about whatever was the topic). He shouted, "Thanks for the business cards." Me, being the air-head I am at times, I asked A.V, "Was he talking to you?" Then I turned around and looked at him, and I put two-and-two together. ME, DUH!...
Yesterday I walked into a church in Paterson, noticed Rolando and I smiled. He was sitting there with his kids; A little girl, and a boy. The way he spoke to his daughter reminded me of my father and I as a child. I told my cousin Steph about how I know him and how his mother's sick.
After mass, he noticed me, and I asked "How are the business cards?" He said he had more than enough and said thank you once again. He told me his mom passed away this past Friday. I felt terrible, and said I was sorry and gave him the tighest hug ever. I said how healthy she looked when she was diagnosed with the illness. He agreed and showed me a video of her in the hospital. We spoke and he offered me a card. He told me how if I ever need anything designed: sneakers, a T-shirt or picture frame, he'd hook it up for me. I said "Definitely because my mother always needs a frame of some sort." Before we said our goodbyes, he said that it had not sunk in yet because his family has been celebrating her life rather than mourning their loss.
When I told my dad the story, I could not fight the tears. To think, I did not know this man, or his family, their past or anything... yet he confided in me to discuss his mother's illness and now, her death. I cannot help but wonder how amazing life is because of this. People reach out to others in times of need and even love one another. We know death is a part of life, that it can strike at any minute, and here we are, loving/ caring for each other. I think that is beautiful.
Like I had on my status yesterday:
"We know life isn't permanent, that those we know can leave us any second, yet we reach out and love them. That is the miracle of life. Compassion and empathy are what make us who we are. Love not those who ask to be loved; love those that need it."
Despite the obstacles one may face in their lifetime, we can never deny the love we have felt. As in the words of the late Maurice Schwartz, "Death ends a life, not a relationship."
-T. Love
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