When and if I ever get to see God, face-to-face, mano-a-mano, the first thing I’m going to ask Him is this: Why do bad things happen to good people?
It was little over a month ago I went to Chicago to cheer on my cousin Maureen in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. You may remember I introduced you to her and suggested you could use Moe’s pretty mug to put a face to breast cancer research. She’s an 8-year survivor and a real inspiration to all who know her.
Moe just got a kick in the teeth. The cancer is back. Because she’s funny as hell, because she’s tough as nails, because she’s Moe, this is how she posted the bad news on Facebook:
Cancer can kiss my ass!
Brilliant.
This should be the new slogan of the Cancer Society. It should be stamped on T-shirts and printed on bumper stickers. We’ll see it on billboards 2 stories high. Sky-writers will spell it out in smoke across the sky. The Goodyear blimp can drag a banner with those words emblazoned on it for all to see.
Join me in my new mantra. Cancer, on behalf of…
my cousin, Moe
my little sister, Lib
my little brother, Pat
my big sister, Mary Kay
my husband, Bill
my nephew, Michael
my father-in-law, Bob
my aunt, Judy
my aunt, Joan
my uncle, Don
my friend, Jane
my friend, Barry
my friend and co-worker, Missy
all the others I know
you and those you love who have been touched by this scourge,
pucker up, you son-of-a-bitch, and prepare to meet my big, white, droopy posterior, because…
CANCER, YOU CAN KISS MY ASS!
Fantastic. But what a list of people you have…
I don’t think there’s a person alive who hasn’t been touched by this. What about you, Vanessa?
In terms of people close to me, three out of four of my grandparents, but all in old age, so a little easier to accept – I don’t mean EASY to accept, but I think you know what I mean.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Peg. After eight years, you sort of start thinking that maybe you’ve dodged the bullet.
You do. You’re almost at that magic number, 10. But my father-in-law went 16 years between bouts, so you never know.
With that attitude, she’ll beat it again! Tell her the blogosphere is pulling for her!
Lisa, her attitude is da bomb. As you know, old friend, I let all sorts of inconsequential junk get me down, but Moe is like the energizer bunny with her “just do it” spirit.
I’ve been thinking about Maureen all weekend. Lib gave me the news as I was en route to M&Ds last Friday. Guess it may be time for me to join FB, just to be on the know. Glad you posted this. I agree with Moe and am glad you posted this!
Me too. There has been way too damn much cancer in our family. And I was just thinking – did I miss Aunt Joan? Uncle Don? I can’t remember.
Duh…redundancy or what? Oooops!
That’s ok, sis.
Let me drop my capacious panties and offer cancer a prime spot – on behalf of my late mother, my sister Joy, my sister Alice, my mother-in-law Betty, my Uncle Fred, and many more. Pucker up, baby, and have at it…
And, of course, for Maureen.
I’ve got plenty of room left on my hiney – cancer can have an extra smooch for your loved ones, Katy.
Oh, Peg, I can keep cancer busy for quite some time over here…thanks for the offer, though. I hate that so many wonderful people and afflicted – and especially children.
Add my friend Pat and one of my heroes, astronaught Sally Ride.
For Cousin Carolyn, for Sandra, for Sue, for Aunt Ann, for Barry – for the survivor who is my little nephew Elias…
I’m so glad to hear about your little nephew. My nephew, Michael, was born with tumors in both eyes and he recently celebrated his 17th birthday. Take that, cancer!
Oh, I have some questions for God, myself. I suppose most of them fall under that same heading, though. God will probably appreciate your brevity, especially once he sees my list.
I’ll warm Him up for you. Unless you get there first…
My family has been lucky (in that respect — other deaths from other causes), but Maggie, one of my colleagues, and Marlene, the sister of another colleague) are fighting as we speak. Save the Ta-Tas.
Losing family members to ANY cause is tough, I know. I’ve lost some, but most are hanging on and fighting (or have fought) the good fight and made it through.
CKMA in honor and memory of all who have and are fighting this horrible disease. Sending telepathic power, prayers and strength!!
That’s right, Carol, lets send those positive vibes!
I was at a stop light last week and saw a bumper sticker that read in big read letters: CANCER SUCKS
For once I can wholeheartedly agree with a bumper sticker!
So right. I’m not a big fan of expletives and crude expressions in public, but when it comes to cancer, well, it deserves it.
Well said, Peg! My boss just started coming to work without her wig on Friday (she looks beautiful) and cancer can definitely kiss her ass, and mine! (And yes, my last boss died of cancer [which I wrote about last year], and now…)
Jeez, Jules, how sad. I was thinking about my little office the other day. Two out of four have had cancer (Missy and my hubby), Chris’s mom died of it, and of past employees there were Julie and Jean who went through it, Lynn who died from it, Jerry who is battling it now…too much.
boy o boy I agree with you 100%..I am so sorry to hear about little Moe..it is so unfair that sweet and innocent people get this horrible disease yet scumbags get away scot free. My prayers are with her
Thanks Miss P. There seems to be no rhyme or reason with bad stuff. Gotta believe it will all make sense some day.
So much cancer! We will continue to keep Moe in our prayers.
Yes we will, and you, too, and Lib, and….too much cancer.
I love this, Peg. I love the in your your attitude Moe has and that you also adopt. I’m sorry that your list is so long. I hope they’ve all survived it and are living their lives –really living–despite of it. xo
Thanks, El. All except my brother Pat. We lost him when he was 35.
Great Post. I lost my younger sis last year she was 46.She put on a good fight. My baby bro also has his own fight. My sis did finally tell her Drs. enough and please” let me go out riding on my boy friends motercycle.” They did ; she was happy at home with her people and “kitties” pain free.My Prayers are with you and yours.KICK cancers ASS!!! hey from Alabama
I’m so, so sorry about your sister. My sister, Lib, is fighting it right now. She’ll be 46 in a few months. Hey right back atcha from Illinois!
It’s a disaster. I can’t even talk about it. Eight friends in four years. Everyone under forty. Cancer is a monster and, unfortunately, with my husband being a doctor, I get to know much too much.
Eight friends? Jeez, Renee, I’m so sorry. Cancer IS a monster.
Sorry to hear your cousin’s diagnosis, but I’m sure she’s ready to kick it to the curb! Go Maureen!
That she is, Patti, cuz she’s a fighter. Thanks for the good thoughts.
I hate this disease. This dirty, sneaky, castrater of life. I’ll add Moe to my prayer list.
There are lots of terrible diseases out there, but this seems to touch everyone. Thanks for the prayers for Moe.
She sounds like a trooper. She’s in my thoughts!
Thanks Thoughtsy, she is a real fighter.
Dammit. I am so sorry, Peg. Thoughts to you and Moe and her/your entire family.
Thanks Angie.
Peg ~ you left out Aunt Joan and uncle Don..
Thanks, Dad, I just added them. After I posted it I THOUGHT Uncle Don had cancer, wasn’t sure about Aunt Joan, but I couldn’t remember. We’ve had way too much cancer in the family.
I live in the state with the highest cancer rates, but still, I don’t have as many close relatives as you who’ve been afflicted. My father beat it twice, and it apears to have just returned for round 3. My pants are down to you, cancer!
Third time for your father? That’s rough. Praying he has the strength to keep kicking!
Thanks, Peg. We’re all on that page.
Very powerful post! I can relate on many levels and add names to that list. We recently lost my sweet little friend Emma’s mom after she fought that monster for years. (Emma’s the one I wrote the letter to in my blog post “Dear Emma” after our bra painting party (auction) for breast cancer.) I lost my dad, holding him, on Aug. 3rd several years ago. My hat’s off to you for writing this and I’m in line with my britches down along with everyone else.
Thanks so much and I’m so sorry for your loss, Carla. A full moon is a lovely thing to behold, in this case.
Very much so! I am destined to write a haiku about little Emma’s mama and my dad. I feel it. Thank you for your kind words.
That’s an unbelievable number to have cancer in one family ,Peg. They’re lucky to have you on their side though. Our small family has had it’s fair share (although there’s nothing fair about it), but my heart goes out to you and all your family. You’re good to keep your wonderful sense of humor.
Cancer is a semi-regular topic category here and I debated using funny for such a serious subject. But it seems we need to laugh sometimes or we’ll just sit down and cry, right Al?
Absolutely, Peg. I guarantee that humor prevents a lot more mental breakdowns than any therapy.
Peg, read your blog. We love it. There are so many prayers for Moe that God will just finally say “It’s time to help Moe AND SHE IS GOING TO BEAT THIS BI?!?x” . Aunt Carol & Uncle John
Moe has had way more than her share of trouble and she’s such an inspiration. Her strength is amazing to me.
I’ve got your whole family in my prayers, because I know this hits you all.
I’m with you – God has GOT to hear all these prayers and give her a break already for goodness sake! Love and hugs to you, AC& UJ.
I am SO glad to see Aunt Carol and Uncle John ringing in on this post against cancer, that scurge.
We are ALL behind Moe and the family in praying for a remission and whatever Moe needs in this journey. Please let us know what email addresses are OK to reach Moe. Thanks, cause I don’t do FaceBook…yet.
We LOVE you, Maureen and want only God’s choicest blessings upon you!
(With permission, I hope, from my Dad, cause why not copy the best?)
So sorry to hear this, Peg. Cancer is a BRUTE and can kiss my ass, too. I’ll keep your list of people in my thoughts and prayers.
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