A Heart Used to Breaking

I was watching the very ending of "Brian's Song" this morning - the one with James Caan and Billy Dee Williams - when the phone rang. It was my younger sister, Patty, with some of the worst news that could have arrived - the leukemia is back and she has to return to the hospital for another round of chemo but this time with the added stress of needing to find her a compatible bone marrow donor.

I would like to ask any and all who may read this to please go in and have yourselves tested for bone marrow donation and be placed into the national registry of bone marrow donors. If you're a match my sister's doctors will find you. Also, keep in mind that my sister is only one of many victims of this disease that could potentially benefit from your willingness to do this. You really could save a life without risking your own by taking this generous step.

Also, please pray and think very kind thoughts about my sister today and over the coming weeks and months. We love her very much and do not want to lose her.

Izzlebug

To a Younger Sister

I was three years old
And looking up at you
As you sat in the cardboard box
That served as your makeshift high chair for our picnic.

Your pale, wispy blond hair,
Barely there,
Shone in the bright Kansas sunshine
Like a bald head.

I can still see the picture on the side of the box,
Mr. Clean - earring and all,
Smiling - he was not the one going home with a sunburn.
You were dressed in pink, I think, and squinted into the camera
And into your older sister's heart,
Although I was not aware that was happening;
I was only three.

Today, our hair is a collective gray
Although the currently fashionable brand of
Hair dye periodically helps you forget.
Would it also help to know
Your older sister still sees you
As that beautiful, little
Platinum blonde babe
Lolling in the prairie winds
Secure in your box?

Soon, the chemotherapy will take all of your hair away,
Again.
I will try to save your dreams of beautiful hair
And Mr. Clean
To fill your thoughts while we all wait
For those first frail wisps
To reappear again.
It's almost like
Starting over
Each time.