Superhero

I asked my sister to write a post for me today, here it is:


I have a three year old boy. He is obsessed with Batman…and Spiderman…and Superman.. and any superhero really. He gets dressed up in his little Batman or Spiderman costume pretty much every day. I think Batman is his favorite. He has a Batman mask that he insists on wearing, even during his naps. He tells me to feel his muscles and to look how strong he is and that he is shooting webs at the bad guys. He tells me that he will “save” me from whatever enemy he is battling that day. For him when he puts on that costume and that mask he is transformed. He can do anything- protect, save, shoot lasers from his arm and get those bad guys.

A few days ago my sister asked me if I would give her a shot. An injection for her cancer treatment. I said no- that I could not do it. I hate needles. I even make my husband take the kids to the doctor when they have to get shots while I stay at home. Then I started thinking it over. Sarah is in a tight spot. Her husband is working and can’t give her the injection. She needs it done, but can’t give it to herself. After telling her several times that I really did not want to do it- I finally said I would- but I didn’t want to- and I wanted her to know it!

I was dreading the shot. But today was the day. I got my boys ready and went to Sarah’s house, the youngest in his Batman costume. When we arrived Sarah asked how he fits into his car seat with so many muscles…I do manage to squish him in. I said to Sarah “Let’s do this!” We put a show on for the boys downstairs- no distractions. Sarah got the shot ready. We turned on some music. It was time. As I sat with the needle, looking at my sister, tears streamed down my face. I didn’t want to do it. In that moment I was quiet and crying and Sarah was probably thinking- get on with it already! I thought of Sarah and all of the millions of things that she really did not want to do- but she did them anyway. She didn’t want to have cancer. She didn’t want to have Chemo. She didn’t want to be sick. She didn’t want her kids to see her sick. She didn’t want to get the shot. But somehow she has managed. Somehow she has faced her worst nightmare with dignity and grace. I thought about my son and his Batman costume and I said to myself- I can do this. I did it. I stuck the needle in and slowly pressed the medicine into my sister’s body. I did something for her that she could not do for herself. I put on my own Batman mask today. Sarah is the true superhero.