I know Mother Teresa is on the fast track to Sainthood...I guess that happens in the Catholic Church when someone who does good works their entire life finally dies. But in the "Church Of BRAINCHEESE", I'd have to say my friend, EB, has already reached such lofty heights (and I already call her "Saint EB" here, so this should come as no surprise).My dear pal is currently on a brief vacation in the woods of Montana (probably eating deer and skunk as I type)...but before she left on her train ride, she announced to me her plan to ride in the local MS 150 in my honor. I was dumbfounded.
The MS 150 is just that...a one hundred and fifty mile bike ride over the course of two days. That's about 149 miles MORE than I could ever ride in my lifetime (or at least right now in this MS life!). She had talked about doing this ride, which I thought was absolutely preposterous...150 miles? I don't think I'd last 150 miles riding in a CAR these days, let alone with my fat arse seated on a bicycle and PEDALING! But she continued to voice a desire to "give it a try".
Saint EB is a few years my senior...a middle aged woman...hardly self-described as "athletic", but a very determined soul once she makes her mind up about something. Dr. She Who Will Not Be Named has a team that rides every year, so I emailed her with the idea Saint EB might want to ride with them...she replied, "This is exciting!" I only hope Saint EB continues to muster up the same "excitement" for this grueling task.
So, since Saint EB plans to try to kill herself in my "honor", I have decided the VERY LEAST I can do is become her "fund-raiser"...her very own poster child for MS. This shouldn't be hard because I already HAVE MS...squeezing pennies out of my social service working friends might be a bit more challenging, however.
I may have to come up with some kind of local prizes...I have found my Pavlovian friends salivate over the chance to "earn" food, particularly sweets. I'm thinking of some kind of silent auction at work to entice donations out of their pockets...either that, or I'm going to have to resort to simple guilt...whatever works! LOL
Now, for those of you "locals" who read BRAINCHEESE (and I KNOW who you are...my computer site stats don't lie!), I'll be posting something probably later this month on how to pledge/donate to this very worthy cause (Saint EB killing herself in my "honor") either online or in person. And don't forget...for those of you I WORK with...I know where you live, where you work, and I'm sure I have some kind of "dirt" on you that you would NOT want publicized here on BRAINCHEESE! (if auctions and guilt don't produce, I'm not above threats! LOL)
The ride is in September...warm up your check books now or spend the next 3 months trying to AVOID me...something I'm sure some of you may already be practicing without my knowledge...LOL...
What a friend Saint EB is to ride the bike-athon for you! But i am laughing here first thing this morning as i read your post--My EX rode that 2 day ride in Maine when they were still working out the kinks and it indeed almost killed him. My little niece wore a huge, floppy hat to send him on his way. It was a family event because both my mom and i had MS. It was clear from the start non-bikers but well intentioned people planned the ride. It was held in the high-heats/humidity of August. And the whole route was uphill in a mountainous region. He always reminded me he almost died of dehydration and over-exertion doing the event. And then he had to come home and hang curtains! I should say it is too bad he left me because now it looks like the bikeathon is a lovely Maine tradition in gentle, rolling landscapes touching the lakes regions ending with a lobster-bake! He would have had a lovely experience except for my picketing the lobster bake. So good luck to the riders and with your fund-raising--the best of the human spirit keeps rolling on!
ReplyDeletethe cash I got back from the government will only last that long , hurry up and post the link for donations before I blow the money on frivolous things ! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteHARKOO:
ReplyDeleteSounds like it may have been the hanging of the curtains part that put him over the edge! LOL
LD
ADINA:
ReplyDeleteWell aren't YOU sweet?!? Fortunately it was/is NOT MSers I am trying to guilt/threaten/bribe out of their monies, but my coworkers and local friends who read the "CHEESE"...
I will post something a bit later with a link to pledge online if you're still interested, however.
BTW...what "govmet" money did you get your hands on???
LD
Linda--only Adina and i know how hard that alimony is to come by-you don't want to covet it--i have never had to work harder for my money and if Adina has been married more than once, god bless her soul--may she rest on her government stipend and whatever else she can get!! lol
ReplyDeleteHARKOO/JOYCE:
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up! I imagine alimony COULD be the most difficult job there is...because one has to put in soooo much "free time" to get it later on! LOL
LD
oh, you guys are too funny !! unfortunately ( I guess , it’s all relative after all) my sense of guilt for leaving the matrimonial bliss took over my analytical thinking , so no alimony or any other financial incentive !!!
ReplyDeleteI actually just got my tax return because I filed late …So there , I have a chunk of money that the government felt I am entitled to ( disability and all that jazz) and all I need is a worthy cause to patronize . Of course , I can always buy sompin’ purtty !LOL!
All joking aside, for Adina--you are stronger than me. I stayed when i knew i should be leaving. Having ms robbed me of my courage. My mom had ms real bad and i was too afraid to make any changes after i was dx.
ReplyDeleteharkoo/joyce
ReplyDeletedon’t ever feel bad or guilty , I learned that much in my life .you do what your heart tells you is right , even if sometimes heart-brain communication seems to get lost in the vortex of everyday life ….you are in a better place from what I gather , and even if it took a while to get here be happy that it’s later rather than never…
ok I am off my soap box and I’ll carry on to brewing some caffeinated beverage ….
this day looks gorgeous !!!!
Adina, i am much happier as i am following my heart now. Thanks. Women with MS--don't stay if it isn't good--it will make your ms worse in the long run.
ReplyDelete