My Sister...

Never asks me for anything.
So, when she reached to ask me to join her in a six-word story challenge;
I said, “Game on!”
Every day in May, I have to write a six word story with a preset theme.
Because we’re three days into the month of May, I’m going to cheat a bit and write three today!
Here goes nothing….

Family Vacation Day 5

A day to relax and spend quality time;
Blocking the negative from my mind––I’m focused on positive energy.
I love my family.
After we’ve said goodbye, I watch them drive away.
Back to their lives, and me to mine;
I will hold onto the fun memories and erase the dark spots.

I Hate Goodbye.

I hate saying goodbye.
Despite my usually positive outlook, saying goodbye always seems so definite.
The past three weeks have reminded me how quickly life can change, and now more than ever the word hovers as proof that you’re leaving and you may not ever see this person again.
I spent the past weeks bonding with my sister in a way I never thought possible.
We were always close growing up, but once we got to high school our lives started to head in different directions––we were becoming adults.
As adults, we saw one another on the big holidays and major life events, as you do when you live across the country from your family.
A terrible illness shutdown my sisters system, but it simultaneously revived our bond.
Thankfully she is almost entirely recovered, and our connection is reinvigorated.
I look forward to the next chapter in our relationship; regardless of time or distance my sister is forever in my heart and I will guard her eternally.
We may not be near each other every day, but she is with me and that brings me incredible peace of mind.

Heart to Heart

Late night chats with sis;
Conversation and bonding.
Not just siblings, friends!

Walk On!

From stillness to mastering the staircase in under two weeks;
My sister continues to inspire me.
I can’t imagine the pain that she is working through right now––shrieking at 3AM with the inability to move.
Despite her agony she continues to fight and push herself to rehabilitate.
Today she walked from the physical therapy room all the way back to her room without a walker.
Progress is slow and steady.

Raising Hell In Rehab

I’m back with my sister;
Raising hell in rehab!
She’s walking, talking, and sadly smoking again––but I guess that means she’s getting back to life as usual.
Her sassy eye rolls (and the circumstance for why she’s in her to begin with) aside, I’ve really enjoyed getting to reconnect with my sister.
As and adult I find it much easier to over look her flaws, as she has mine, in order to get to know who she really is and what she wants from life.
Life––a word that has taken on a new meaning for her.
We’re all so grateful she survived, now if she would just stop bossing me around... Yeah, like that will ever happen.

Jet Set

My heavy eyelids can hardly ease the burning dryness;
The lack of sleep is killing me.
Too many airline seats and hospital beds.
I’m happy to live a full life, I just don’t want to die from exhaustion.
It’s time for a break!

Undone

The damage is done,
Words cut deep.
Actions reveal truth.
There isn’t a drug strong enough to dull the pain;
Or an apology so powerful it would heal the wound.
All we can do is move forward and allow time to ease the memories.

A Trip To The ER

My sister is admitted into the ER after complaining all day of level—10 pain. (Personally I think it was exacerbated by the fact that our mom and our extended family decided to launch into attack mode.) Nevertheless, here we are in the ER brought by an ambulance—after a ton of runaround between nursing bays, Shiree and I sit in the hospital room. Shiree has to get blood drawn and while the RN inserts the IV—mom & dad leave the room for coffee. The second they leave Shiree says, "Isn't it so peaceful now that they're gone?" The nurse laughs and Shiree waits for my response, "Matt?" 

I say yes, mom has given me a headache all day, but she's here because she loves us.

Shiree says, "I know. That's why I'm trying to be nice."

There was nothing nice about today.

Plop Plop

My sister’s inability to have a bowel movement for four days had us all in agony, her from the pain and us from hearing her torture-level moans.  The nurse suggested a suppository, and after a lot of probing (literally) she finally caved.  Dad and I left the room for about fifteen minutes so that the head nurse and her night nurse could administer the waxy poop maker. Jennifer, her nurse, came out into the family area and assured us we could go back into the room.  She continued to inform us that the quicker-shitter-upper could take up to an hour to produce results, except that by the time that we had returned to the room, my sister was curled up in a ball squeezing her butt checks and clinging to the red emergency call rope.
We walked in and she said, “I got to go! NOW!”  I ran out laughing, and nearly shit my pants––it was a hilarious scene.  I ran to get the nurse, and in the meantime my dad asked, “Wasn’t that a pleasant experience?”  To which my sister responded, “The going in part wasn’t, but this next part might be!”  We burst into laughter and the nurses ran by with gloves and a bucket.  When you’re sick, there’s no difference between us and animals, shit is shit––and you don’t horse around with that.

A Step In The Right Direction

Her tired body fights to stand;
She’s working hard, but remains frustrated that her body hasn’t caught up with her mind.
Her wit and sarcasm are fully intact.
With a big smile she returns to her comfy lounge chair.
Time for a break before speech therapy.
Recovery doesn’t happen overnight––only in the movies.
Thankfully, the road ahead is promising.

Sis

My sister ate a popsicle on her own today;
A huge step on the road to recovery.
She smiled and said, “Cherry! Aren’t you going to eat?”
I said I would later.
She responded, “Won’t it go bad? Don’t you think you should eat it?”
Even when she’s sick, she stays thoughtful of others.
I sat and at a popsicle next to her like we did when we were kids.
She smiled at me––today, that was enough.

Progress

“Matthew Shaffer, enough!”
The words my sister sluggishly muttered to me today from her hospital bed.
Less lethargic, more lucid and responsive to questions.
Struggling with full sentences, but her phrases are sharp and to the point.
I love my little sister so much.
She is one tough cookie with a sweet and gooey inside, and she is going to make a full recovery; she’s a fighter!

Faith and Family

Today my Faith was tested; I failed.
My sister is lying in a hospital bed, her body is weak.  Fever has rendered her incoherent and like families do, we took our fear out on each other.
Emotions run high, and unfortunately I said things I didn’t mean to say.
You can’t undo hurtful words––regardless of whether or not they are warranted.
I questioned God, not because my sister is ill, but because of my dads conviction that is in direct conflict of my belief.
Regardless, I love my dad and mom, and we all love my sister.  We have to do better to be kind, forgiving and Faithful.
Family is the most important thing to me, and I have to allow my actions to speak louder than my hurtful words.

Family Ties

The conversations I have with my sister now versus when we were growing up is night and day.
The fights, name calling, and competition has been replaced with love, respect, and support.
I feel blessed to have a friendship with such a strong woman.
I’m impressed with her wit and intelligence, and her ability to listen and offer thoughtful feedback is appreciated.
She knows me, accepts me, values me, and encourages me––which is inspiring from a little sister.
Our evolution has been a constant work in progress, and I’m grateful for her willingness to continue to build our relationship.
You can’t choose your family, but you can choose how to communicate with them; I’m lucky to have a sister who’s ready to participate!

Time With My Niece

All it takes is a day in the snow with a four year old to remember what life is all about.
My niece is full of personality, and clever, too.
(Which is a lethal combination!)
Even as an actor, I forget the power of imagination––never fear, a four year old will reignite the sense of play faster than Olaf will melt in Nevada!
My niece also has the power to charm me into a galloping horse; and no matter how many times I say, "this is the last time, okay?"  She looks up at me with her gorgeous blue eyes and electric smile and says (in the most adorable voice possible), "just one more time?"
Naturally, I concede despite the fact that my back feels like it's going to break in half, and my knees feel like a racing horse after ten years at the Kentucky Derby!
I just remind myself how lucky I am that she remembers me and wants to spend time with me––regardless of the fact that I live a thousand miles away, and see her only every few months in person, and weekly on FaceTime. (Thank god for #Apple iPhone!)

Family Vacation, Saying Goodbye

Family vacation,
Spending time with the people I love;
Laughing a lot and eating more!
Italian passion is wrapped in emotions-  AKA calories.
My family is crazy, hilarious, loud and opinionated.
Despite the moody moments, our quality time was filled with joy.
Highlight: wonderful one-on-one time with my sister and my beautiful niece.
(The first vacation with my sister since high school!)
The time is near to say our goodbyes.
When I was a kid, that meant a lot of tears.
As an adult, I value the time I have and look forward to the next one!
Hopefully sooner than later.
I love my family.

Addendum

My trip home also gave me the opportunity to spend quality time with the rest of my family;
Particularly, my sister, niece, mom and dad.
I'm so proud of my sister-
She is raising a magical little girl. Kellyn is smart, outgoing, creative and has a huge personality!
(I'm not just saying this as a love-crazed uncle...)
My sister has survived cancer and continues to fight illness, while renaming strong and active. She is a warrior. I love her, and I'm gratified that we continue to build on our bond.
My mom is a bright light- always supportive, excited and positive about my achievements. She has been my cheerleader and confidante. Our friendship continues to soar. I'm most grateful for our "coffee talks." She's always dropped everything to come to my aid.
Dad- is my hero. He continues to be the constant force in my life. Reminding me, by example, that we can always give, love and do more.
Each trip home, my connection with my sister, mom and dad grows deeper.
I am blessed.