Esteban and I had dinner with our friends Darren and Laurice last weekend. They’re two of the kindest people we know. But — as further proof that life is utterly unfair — they’ve been beset by misfortunes lately.
The most recent was the discovery that Laurice has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hers is a rare case, a type that usually affects older men. The long-term prognosis isn’t great.
On one hand it’s comforting to know that she’s caught the attention of some Mayo Clinic experts. On the other, it’s disquieting to know that she’s in uncharted waters. Thank god Laurice is smart, tough and resourceful.
And thank god we share a similar (if somewhat morbid) sense of humor: I laughed on Sunday when Laurice said, “If there were a Make a Wish foundation for adults, I’d ask to be cast as a dead body on Dexter.”
Maybe Laurice was half-joking. Still … on the way home from dinner Esteban and I decided to make her wish our personal mission. Among his brilliant ideas: “Why don’t you take some publicity shots of Laurice as a stiff?”
Laurice was a great sport as I led her into the woods today. We giggled uncontrollably at the thought of how we’d explain ourselves if someone were to happen by. “No, really, officer … she’s just quite tired …”
The shoot was great fun. But afterwards I thought, “Now what?” I’ve never launched this sort of campaign before, so I’m not sure where to start.
If anyone out there has some suggestions, please send them along — and please let me know if you’d like to join in the campaign to help “kill” Laurice. Your support would make her day.
HeideBlog 
Holy crap, I simply love your attitude. I’m going to send this link to my two friends in show biz. You never know.
I’m also sending positive healing vibes to you both… think it works after drinking a beer?
Thanks so much for your note, Julie — and for sending this post to your show-biz friends, and for the positive vibes, and for the virtual beer! I’ll pass your thoughtful words on to Laurice. (Who really does have an amazing attitude, by the way. I keep hoping some of her coolness will rub off on me. Grin.)
First, I love Laurice’s sense of humor (and by extension, Laurice). I hope she beats the heck out of that disease. You say that her long-term prognosis is not good. Laurice can take comfort in the fact that the same can be said for all of us.
I happen to think this is a brilliant idea and that your photographs are right on the money. Send them to the Dexter producers, along with Laurice’s story. Love the shoes. Keep smiling….
How sweet of you to comment! Laurice’s sense of humor is one of her many wonderful traits, and I know that it will help her face this thing and *thrive* in spite of the odds. As you say, the long-term prognosis isn’t great for any of us. And the only advice I can give her after going through my own this-thing-might-kill-ya diagnosis is that no one knows anything. People beat the odds … medical advances happen … and in the meantime, life goes on. As for getting Laurice’s story in front of the Dexter producers, well … wish us luck! I’m sure they get a zillion appeals like this every day, but hopefully those red shoes will help. (Grin.) Thanks again for your very thoughtful comments.
If you can figure out what I could do to help with this endeavor–let me know! My thoughts and good wishes go out ot Laurice and family. Sense of humor sounds like a good road to travel through the upcoming journey.
Hi, Patti! Lovely to hear from you! Thanks for your sweet comment. I’m sure your kind words alone will be a big cheerer-upper. But if ever we need to collect signatures or Facebook “likes” or whatever, I’ll let you know. Thanks so much!
Now that’s dark, edgy humor. … I give my best wishes to Laurice. … I hope she beats it!
That’s a big AMEN to “I hope she beats it!” Thanks for your kind words, cupidburntcrispy!
Send the photos. What producer could resist those wonderful shoes?
My best friend had Hodgkins more than twenty years ago. The doctors told her she needed to fight. Laurice sounds like a fighter, too.
How could *anyone* resist those red shoes?!
And thanks for your encouraging words, as well. I’m so glad your friend prevailed for so long — and I hope the same for Laurice. (She is indeed a fighter. I look forward to watching her whack the tar out of this disease. Grin.)
What a glorious attitude to illness. With humour like that and friends like you, Laurice is in a great position to fight cancer. I am closely acquainted with NHL as my darling dad died of it 11 years ago. But he didn’t have shoes like that: I think they might all the difference.
I wish I had some Hollywood friends I could call to help you in your mission, but at least I can send you and Laurice some smiles and support from this side of the pond! 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words, DB — and for the laugh. (I suspect your father would have enjoyed reading such a witty comment from his lovely daughter. We should *all* have shoes like that, eh?) I’ll pass your smiles and support on to Laurice. I know she’ll be touched that someone from across the pond would be thoughtful enough to write. 🙂