The same spirit of celebration overtook me a few years ago when I had a party to honor my friend’s uterus. She was scheduled to have a hysterectomy and I thought, seeing as how her uterus had served her well in housing two precious sons during gestation as well as admirably performing whatever other duties a uterus performs, it was only right and proper to have a party to celebrate it before it tottered off into oblivion. Well, the proper part might be questionable. Nevertheless, our party consisted of poetry and songs for her uterus and, in general, a spirit of thankfulness for a uterine job well done.
Weird. I know.
I’m not sure how many people actually have parties in celebration of their organs. I suspect not many but, somehow, in my social circles, it just doesn’t seem to be that peculiar. Hence the recent Brain Party, honoring the grey matter of a dear friend. Whereas the Uterus Party was intended to say goodbye to a beloved body part, the Brain Party was in celebration of a generous cerebral healing.
I live in a neighborhood that has been home to many wonderful people. Some have come and gone but, typically, those attracted to buying a house in our neighborhood are true ‘salt of the earth’ types. If the world were full of people as lovely as the ones I’ve been blessed to live around, it would forever be a most gracious and kind place. When our children were growing up, we had several families on our block which made up a community in the truest sense of the word. We looked after one another’s kids, loved and cared for each other, and shared what we had; wheelbarrows, articles of clothing, ketchup. Whatever one person needed, someone else had it to loan. We knew, instinctively, when marriages were strained, when finances were challenged, and when sitting on the porch with a glass of wine for some conversation, laughter, and tears was no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
Over time our community changed as the children grew up and families moved to other neighborhoods, but many of us maintained our friendship long after addresses changed. In particular, we’ve stayed close with two couples who lived across the street from us and last year we were shocked to hear that our friend and former neighbor, Kathy, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. We watched in wonder as Kathy unflappably planned for surgery and a lengthy recovery. Because she is, by nature, painstaking and giving with others, she was surrounded by people eager to help in whatever way they could. Long lists of friends volunteered to prepare meals and provide whatever support was necessary. Her family was sure to be well taken care of during the ordeal, which was nothing short of what Kathy would offer to anyone in similar need. The day of surgery arrived and Kathy’s family and friends nervously waited for results. The benign tumor was successfully removed and Kathy began the arduous process of recovery. The months passed with ups and downs but recently Kathy and her brain fully returned to health; her healing complete.
And so, it seemed only natural to have a party to celebrate Kathy’s amazing, healthy, and tumor free cerebrum! Amid much food and wine we shared stories and memories and laughter. What wonderful laughter, ringing out loudly and joyfully in a house full of friends and love. As I listened, I realized that all six adults were there as well as all eight of our children. Everyone was together, taking part in and enjoying the varied and lively conversation, the shared memories woven together through time, and the comfortable sense of being with those we love. And there in the middle of it all sat Kathy, as beautiful as ever, with her sharp wit, her disarming humor, and her ever-present munificence.
I paused in the midst of the clamor to take in the blessing of relationships, and families, and healing, and health. Those things we often take for granted in spite of their precarious existence. It was a celebration of Kathy’s healthy brain…and so much more.
I’ll probably find something else to celebrate soon. Maybe I’ll co-opt someone else’s holiday again. Or maybe I’ll throw another party for a body part. Perhaps I’ll have an impromptu celebration of a pretty new string of garden lights the way I did a few years ago. It doesn’t much matter the reason because, in the end, all it really boils down to is a celebration of life.
Fragile, beautiful, and fleeting….life.
Party on.
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