Tears for the Lady in the Knit Hat

Since my breast cancer diagnosis on May 15, 2015, I need to remind myself to take a few seconds and check my emotions at the door. If only that were possible. Tears spring up unexpectedly.  I could rewrite lyrics to Chris Tomlin's, Waterfall.  It would go like this..."my tears are like a waterfall, waterfall, raining down on me!" 

The weather was icy and the roads slick in nearby counties yesterday.  As I watched the morning weather, WBTV reporter, Sharon Smith, began a live interview from a Mooresville diner.  The diner was nearly empty of breakfast patrons.  School was closed for the day, and most people were still home in PJ's.  
There they sat...a husband and wife having breakfast together.  I immediately knew she was a cancer patient.  She was wearing a knit hat...indoors.  When asked why they were out on such a messy morning, tears welled in her eyes (and mine).  She is undergoing cancer treatments.  Although the weather was bad, she hopes to stay on schedule.  Oh I know, sweet lady, how desperately you want to stay on schedule. Staying on schedule for treatments is the anchor..the life-line.. of a cancer patient. 

Nearing the end of my 28 radiation treatments for breast cancer last August, I received a phone call from the Radiation Center.  The linear accelerator that delivers radiation was being repaired.  They called to cancel my appointment; she added, the missed treatment would just be added at the end.  The relayer of the information sounded so calm in the telling..I, on the other hand, had a melt-down. Did they not realize I was counting down the days? There were less than ten sessions left.  "Graduation day" was marked with "!!!" on my phone's calendar. Cue up the tears. Why am I crying?  It's only one more day!  "Please, please, if the machine is repaired today, I promise I can come within 15 minutes.  Please."  I was dressed and waiting by the phone. An hour later...it rings.  Come; the repairs are complete! Thank you, thank you. More tears!  

A year ago, would I have even noticed the lady in the knit hat?  Would I have shared in her tears, or prayed she could get her treatment yesterday?  Would I have given a thought as to whether those treatments will result in a cure? We are forever changed by our experiences.  Hopefully, for the better.


Copyright 2016
Charlotte Laney 

Passion for the Game of Life

Life without passion would be pretty boring!  While letting our emotions negate common sense isn't wise, lacking passion in life and being okay with it is just wrong. 

Today is a sad day.  There's no other way to describe it to the thousands of Carolina Panther fans who had hoped, after an almost perfect season, to win the Superbowl.  It didn't happen.  But life goes on...tomorrow.  If I didn't care who won or lost, I wouldn't feel so rotten today.  I wouldn't have gotten angry and screamed at the television.  I wouldn't have been mad at my husband and left the room because he gave up on them before I did.  I wouldn't be frustrated at the fair-weather fans who have turned on Cam Newton with a vengeance today.  They won as a team...and lost as a team.

I am the mother of sons.  There has never been a shortage of testosterone in our house.  I have spent a great portion of my life either doing guy things...or watching guy things.  And it all began with coach-pitch baseball...which progressed to Little League, Pony League, Jr. High, JV, Varsity, and College baseball.  There was also Mini-League, Jr. High, and JV basketball...not to forget Jr. High, JV & Varsity soccer and football.

I was "that mama" in the stands, bleachers, or on the sidelines.  You know the one...she's screaming like a mad woman, chewing her nails or hiding her eyes.  No doubt about..it was worth it all when my sons did something good and I saw them turn and look for me!

Oh yeah, I have been mad at coaches.  Really, really mad! There is an unnamed coach who will never know how close he came to being attacked by me...if not for my more level-headed husband holding me back.  One of our sons sat the bench for an entire basketball game. With about ten seconds left on the clock, his coach decided to put him in the game. How humiliating for him!  Okay, I must move on...I still get mad even now with the retelling.  Hahaha!

I am passionately pro-life and unapologetic of my love for Christ.  I can never thank Him enough for the gift of salvation, or the many blessings I have experienced in my life.  I can't pray aloud or give testimony of what God has done in my life without tears.  I hate when it happens.  It's embarrassing. But I also cry through songs in church when it seems no one else is moved by the lyrics.  

Lastly...I get upset when my team loses...whether it was our sons' baseball, basketball, soccer, or football teams who lost...or the Carolina Panthers at the Superbowl.  God made me this way, so I know He must understand why today I just feel sad.  Today, I will sulk awhile, wallow in pity, and work on improving my bad attitude.  I will imagine what could have been. Maybe tomorrow I will feel better. As in the words of Scarlett O'Hara..."After all, tomorrow is another day." 


Copyright 2016
Charlotte Laney

Carolina Panthers - Superbowl 50

In 1995 the Carolina Panthers began their inaugural season as an NFL expansion team in my hometown of Charlotte. Because he was a Christian, and my son was kicker for his high school football team, John Kasay became my all-time favorite player. 

We have experienced more downs than ups over the past twenty years. Probably our biggest disappointment came when we finally made it to Superbowl XXXVIII in 2004. My man Kasay, with the big game tied at 29-29 and just over a minute left to play...sent his kick-off return sailing out of bounds at the Patriots forty yard line. A few plays later, with only four seconds left on the clock, the Patriots kicked a game-winning field goal, crushing our Superbowl dreams of victory. 

Fast forward twelve years and here we are again...after an amazing season, our home team is a few short hours away from fulfilling that illusive Superbowl dream. I have a new favorite player whose last name begins with a "K", Panthers Linebacker, #59, Luke Kuechly. Not to worry, he won't be making any kick-off returns!

I have decided I love football. I actually understand most of the rules! Panther excitement is tangible in the City of Charlotte. It's practically bordering on craziness! Ninety year-old grandmas, judges, and kinders are all doing the "dab". What can you say about our #1 quarterback, Cam Newton? His zeal for the game is contagious.  

The Queen City is decked out in blue, black, and silver. Even our skyscrapers are lighting the night sky in Panther blue.  Charlotteans of every age, race, religion, political, or economic status have found commonality in pride of our city, our region...our team. 

So, for the first time since 2004, I actually have a dog in tonight's fight. I don't have to choose a Superbowl team based on which has the coolest uniform or the cutest quarterback...or if they are from below the Mason-Dixon line. LOL!  So...I'm sporting my #59 Luke Kuechly jersey, anxiously waiting until 6:30. My home-town team made it to the Superbowl!

Keep pounding, Panthers! Bring home the Lombardi to the Carolinas!


Copyright 2016
Charlotte Laney