I knew this day was coming. I had prepped myself for it. Yet when it happened I was taken by total surprise.
“Get a Job”
Monday morning meant a trip to the District Court in Media, PA. I was there to stand with a friend and to speak on his behalf during a difficult time. I did what I had planned to do and was leaving the courthouse when someone shouted, “Get a job.” “Put down your stick and stop walking like that and get yourself a job!” It took me a few minutes to figure out what was going on. When it became clear I was stunned. This individual was shouting at me.
I have been using a walking stick at different times over the past few months. The more chemotherapy treatments I have had the worse my neuropathy has become. Over the past few weeks every step I have taken has been met with a deep tingling or pain. It feels as if my feet have fallen asleep and I cannot wake them up. At times it is my walking stick which helps keep me standing upright. When I walk I shuffle more than take steps. I move like a person much older than I am. My walking sticks have been a source of stability and assurance as I have navigated my way through the world.
Standing on the sidewalk I was stunned. “You heard me, stop with the act, put down your stick and go get yourself a job like everyone else!” At that moment I had an ungodly thought. I wished I had my bigger stick. I could have used it right about then for something other than walking.
I slowly started to walk again. As I shuffled my way down the street the voice rang out, “Give up your act, get a job, stop acting. (there were some other words thrown in which I will not print here). At this point I shouted back. “Why don’t you give Stage 4 Colon Cancer a try and then get back to me.” I figured an explanation might help. Wrong. “So that’s your story, good one; put down your stick and get a job!”
With that I was done and I quietly walked / shuffled the two blocks to my truck. Once in my truck I thought about tracking down the person who chose to speak into my life this morning. I thought better of it and opted to drive home. Driving home my mind was filled with many different thoughts. [Read more…]
