Nemesis

Last summer, we got cable and Ben was introduced to a fantastic show called, "Phineas and Ferb." If you haven't seen it, it's great! It's on the Disney channel, and it's about two boys trying to figure out how to enjoy their summer vacation. They also have a pet platypus, named Perry, who is a secret agent, fighting the evil Dr. Doofenschmirtz.

Anyway, Aaron's parents were here, and Ben wanted to watch Phineas and Ferb, so I put him in our bedroom to watch it. It was an episode he hadn't seen before, so I knew we wouldn't see him for a while. However, about 15 minutes later, he came down, tears in his eyes, saying, "Dr. Doofenschmirtz has a new nemesis!" He broke down, sobbing. Apparently, Perry the platypus had been replaced (temporarily) by Peter the panda as Dr. D's nemesis, and was very upset about the whole situation.

I comforted my son, amused on several levels. First of all, nemesis is a great word, and I was impressed that he had used it correctly. Second, that my little son had been so connected to Perry's emotions. What a brilliantly created character!

I digress. Aaron's sister, Bobbie Jo, is dying of T-cell lymphoma in Houston. She is 33. She was diagnosed only 10 weeks ago, and treated with all the current technologies - to no avail. And it's not a secret that Bobbie Jo is my nemesis. We have not gotten along well at all in the past. (I am deliberately NOT going into detail as to specific events. I'll just say that it's been very messy.) In the past couple of years, we have learned that avoidance and limited interaction is the best way to prevent altercations.

However, we went to Houston last weekend to see her and all of that was gone. In many ways, the trip was harder on me than it was on Aaron. All of the anger, frustrations, resentment, all of it - was gone. I sat by her side, listened, held her hand. We talked about what her wedding would be like - when she got out of the hospital. She wants Alex to be a flower girl in a pink dress with white lace, and a tiara. We joked about the nurses. When my mom was calling to report from urgent care after she had taken Audrey last Saturday night, Bobbie Jo was worried about me, and my baby. She prayed for me and my little problems. I was humbled.

She's in hospice care now, only on pain medicine, waiting for the inevitable transition to the next life. It's difficult to be here, many miles away, just waiting for the call. I jump every time the phone rings.

It's hard to lose your nemesis.