Intro to Cards, Cancer and Caution

 Cards Cancer and Caution

    Note to readers: I am sharing parts of my life to possibly help someone else that maybe going through a tough event, season, or chapter in his/her own life. This is not to speak ill of my parents or suggest they didn't do their best. I believe they did their best for me considering their conditions and events that framed their own lives. Their lives were no walk in the park either. 

     From a young child I can recall a series of memories that pushed me into the trauma zone. My parents divorced when I was two, I think. I have zero memories of them together. Let me clarify. None of them together in the "family" sense. We have never sat down for dinner together. There were definitely never any family vacations. Heck I have never been in a car with both of them together. When I was about seven I realized things were amiss. (The story for that will come later). 

    Let's start with Cards. Playing cards. A simple stack of 52 different cards, not one completely like another. My mother's mom, whom I called Nana, introduced me to cards around 2nd or 3rd grade. She loved to play Rummy. I never asked her where she learned the game. Probably a bingo parlor or from friends along the way. She was a Navy Wife for over 30 years and traveled to many places.  Nonetheless she was a rummy expert. We played for years. I spent more time at her house than my own. I am certain that during that time my Rummy game sharpened.

    Fast forward to my adult years - My Dad and I played cards every week. Sometimes multiple times a week until he didn't feel like playing anymore. Cancer will do that to you. Make you too tired to do the things you once enjoyed. 

    I advise Caution if you follow and keep up with my blog. Some stories are hard to write, read, and reflect on. Many may be a trigger for you and your own stories and wounds. My purpose is to somehow identify, help, and encourage others to keep pushing forward even when the cards are stacked against you.