Long May You Run

There are some tough things about breathing. Really tough. Things like people you love struggling to breathe and people you love no longer breathing. Those two things alone make breathing for me harder than it should be, in my opinion anyway. Another reason, I am thankful I am not God, even though I think I am most days. Rambling thoughts, I know.

Anydiddle, my little sister Kelly continues to struggle to breathe. Over the last few months she has been hospitalized twice, had her lungs drained three times if I remember correctly and is generally feeling not so great. That’s the crapola part of it. The awesome part however is, she still has a completely bad ass attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a tongue that will whip any unsuspecting bystander. Oh yeah. I am talking like a frog on a fly. Zap! I so love my baby sister.

I am rarely happier than when I am on the phone with her, trying to outdo one another with our sick comments, laughing like the demented bad seeds we are known to be. I am meeting her in Houston in about a week. It’s a trip she is not looking forward to. She is sick and feeling it. She is expecting more bad news. She has nothing to look forward to from her view of it. I am looking forward to every minute of it. Why? Because I will be with her. I will be able to see her, kiss her red hair from a bottle and annoy the crap out of her the entire time with my aggravating ways and stupid observations of life in general. She, in turn, will pretend I am a pain in her ass while trying not to laugh. But she will laugh. I will make sure of it. No matter what.

Kelly brought up the possibility of what might be said by Dr. Gloom at this next visit. It was nothing good. I am not discounting any of her ponderings. She knows her body best and I am sure she also knows the best way to prepare for whatever is coming next. All I know is this. I get to see my sister. That’s all that matters to me.

Bob is sitting here as I type, playing his guitar, singing Neil Young songs to me. He knows I am feeling punched in the gut lately. He also knows Neil always makes me smile. Like now. The song he is crooning makes me think of Kelly.

Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Although these changes
Have come
With your chrome heart shining
In the sun
Long may you run.

I know it was written about his car but it still makes me think of Kel and smile. Long may you run, sister. Chrome heart and all. See you in Houston. You have been warned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nszR0tfp4Es