Monday, October 17, 2011

Saying Goodbye

Well.
How DOES one say goodbye to something that has been a part of life since conception?
Bethany Hamilton, the teen who lost her arm to a shark while surfing, didn't have the opportunity to say goodbye to her arm. Countless soldiers who lose limbs never have the chance.

I do.

But how?

I think I'll pay tribute.

A Fond Farewell

At twelve you embarrassed me. I wanted to wish you away.
(I had grown up with brothers, after all, and wanted to go shirtless forever!)
But that was before.
Before I knew how fun it was to actually fill a bikini top. :-)
Before I knew how fun it was to bra shop. (NOT!)
Before I knew that when a woman sets out to lose weight, it usually starts with the boobs.
Before I was married.
Before I knew what it meant to be blessed with a body part that could actually sustain life.
Before I knew that someday I'd lose you.

And so, on this mastectomy eve, I will say "Thank You."
Thank you for appearing out of nowhere that summer before 6th grade.
Thank you for holding up my strapless wedding dress.
Thank you for faithfully producing life-sustaining, fat-roly-thigh nourishment to my three precious babies.
Thank you for pointing the way all these years. (Hahaha, I crack me up!))
Most recently, thank you for showing me what gravity actually looks like.

Thank you.
Though you never defined me, you did accent me.
I will miss you.

11 comments:

Jeanne Back said...

wow, Christie. You are prolific, even on the eve of your surgery. beautiful articulated. You truly inspire, and build up the faith of all who are blessed to call you friend/ Praying in pink...

Jennie said...

Oh, Christie!! You crack me up too. Should I be laughing?? It seems so wrong. That was truly wonderful. You are an inspiration and while you have made yourself and others laugh tonight, we know that this is a huge night for you and you are in everyone's prayers. I will be praying for sleep tonight, peace for you and the kids, God's strength to run through your entire medical team and quick healing!! Love you!

Rhonda said...

You are amazing! I sit here again laughing out loud. Well said sista. Praying for peace, sleep and a speedy recovery. xo

Anonymous said...

What a lovely albeit humorous tribute (insert 2 moments of silence here) ;)
You're in my thoughts and I will be supporting you in pink and prayers!!
<3 <3
Numbers 6:24 - 26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenancec upon you and give you peace.
~Martha

Anonymous said...

Christie

I was typing and it went away, a stray digit must have hit the wrong key. Heather told me about your blog and I am so glad to have an update. I have been thinking about you so much. Surgery tomorrow--WOW. I am glad I know tonight so I can pray for you and your family. I truly believe and felt it every day I worked at Good Sam (I am not working now, I took the severance in August) that regardless of who the person was, that God heals through the "hands" or efforts of medical people because He is THE HEALER. I will be praying for you and your team. I know who DR F is and am happy for you that he is your surgeon. I would want him too.

Love you
Eulene

julie said...

christie, you are so amazingly creative and so optomistic, thank you for sharing your poem!!

Lorie Ann Grover said...

That is a tribute, my friend. Well done. xox

Ron Synstelien said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dawn said...

For a body part that is worshiped by the masses, and largely taken for granted by the owner, this was a beautiful tribute. I could relate to everything you said from early embarrassment to functional wonder to the comfortable companionship of something that has suffered the effects of our planet's gravitational pull. I am sad for you to lose this accent but in no way will it detract from the beauty and strength that is YOU. I am so thankful to read comments here and marvel at how God has placed people who love Him in the medical field and am praying for hands today that will touch you to heal. You are my inspiration, my hero. Wearing pink and praying, my precious friend.

christie said...

Eulene, thank you! That is very encouraging to hear. Thanks for praying, too.

Darcy Frickel said...

You are in my heart. thinking of and praying for you today.