Deja Vu

I just returned from taking my mom to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. It has been nearly five years (Nov.) since we took my dad up there only to discover he had a huge malignant brain tumor that was inoperable. He was 81 years old, and he lived only 8 weeks after his diagnosis.

I knew that going back to the same place would bring back precious and agonizing memories, but I had no idea that my mom was scheduled to meet with the same neurologist, Dr. Reimer, that had treated my dad. As soon as he walked in the door the memories came flooding back. He was the one who told us how aggressive my dad's cancer was. He was the one who looked at us with such compassion knowing that our family was about to change forever. And he was the one who answered my dad's question of, "Tell me Doc, will I be able to play golf again?" with a very tender and compassionate, "Mr. Gray, you can do whatever you feel like doing!"

At that response my dad smiled and said, "thank you, that's the best news I've heard all day!" Certainly Dr. Reimer knew that my dad would never play golf again, but he gave him the hope that he could if he wanted. How kind of him, and here we were able to thank him for the way he cared for my dad in his last few weeks on this earth.

My sister and I both teared up when he pulled up all my dad's information asking for the details of his death for their records. It was difficult, but rewarding. This doctor really cared, and now he is the one treating my mom! He scheduled X-rays for that afternoon, and we have to return in October for more tests.

Five years have passed, yet I miss my dad still. He made us promise to take care of our Mom - of course we would! We love her, and she has always been there for us. We wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so grateful to have a brother and sister, as well as all our other family members, who share in our desire to love and serve Mom, Memaw, and Gigi.

Oh, and did I mention? Dr. Reimer is a Florida Gator!!! That's like icing on the cake!