There was a time I could barely stand last year after my multiple myeloma diagnosis. My church family declared I would dance again. And my high school friends from about 30 years ago visited and added their own prophetic voice. They decreed that I would be in Las Vegas with them and that I will dance.
Tall order. First, I had to be alive. Secondly, I had to be strong enough to get my doctor’s permission to travel. And where was the money going to come from for the trip since I no longer earn income? The little money I get is for essentials.
Less than one month to go to the reunion and still no money for the trip. Everybody had been tapped out already and asking for money for a Las Vegas trip seemed extravagant. My friends and family (church and extended) had already done so much to provide for my daily essentials.
Las Vegas was beginning to look like a dream, but I did not want to give up hope without trying a little harder. Elizabeth and I had previously discussed the reunion and we agreed it would be nice for us to meet up in Las Vegas and spend time catching up with each other’s lives. When she visited me from London last year that was the first time I had seen her in 30 years and we did not have much time together because she had to leave the same day. Elizabeth, as regular readers know by now, is my best friend from high school.
I emailed her to find out whether our reunion plans were still on. She said she was thinking of opting out but would still help me make it. Oh no, I said. I wanted her there.
Soon afterwards another email came from her. She said she had booked two rooms for us for one week. Hooray!!!
She said she was working on the ticket but I did not want my dear friend to be overwhelmed by my expenses, so I resolved to find my way to Las Vegas.
One week to go and still no ticket! I swallowed my pride and emailed Aunty Kay, a good friend across the ocean who had come to my rescue in the past. I believe the Lord laid it on my heart to reach out to her for help. I don’t usually ask her directly for help. She usually intuits what I need from what I tell her and then intervenes accordingly. With her, I know the unwritten rules of engagement, among them, don’t ask for money, don’t be presumptuous, don’t phone, don’t text, don’t forward or send group emails.
I put some thought into crafting my email to Aunty Kay. I knew I had to be precise but yet tug at her heartstrings. I told her that my high school reunion was coming up in Las Vegas and that I really wanted to be there to show them that their investment in me has paid off. I told her that they are the wonderful people who had been providing for my needs, adding that my best friend who lives in London would be coming too and she had already booked rooms for us.
I asked directly whether her husband could use his frequent flyer miles (as he had done once before) to get me a direct flight to Las Vegas. This was not time to beat around the bush. I did not want the rooms Elizabeth already booked to be wasted. She was coming all the way from London primarily for my sake.
I hesitated checking my email for her response because I was afraid she may turn down my request or she may not even respond. I regretted not having made my appeal in a hand-written letter on elegant stationery sent by traditional mail. That is what she loves.
When I finally did check my email I noted that she had sent me a prompt response. So I had spent two days worrying for nothing. Yes, I would get the ticket and soon afterwards I received the e-ticket with a note from Aunty Kay that said: Truly enjoy yourself.
I rejoiced. Now that I had the hotel room and airline ticket sorted other practical considerations came up. What do I wear? Where do I find shoes that my swollen feet can fit into? What do I do with my hair? Should I buy a new suitcase or use the drab looking old one?
My driver’s license and other forms of I.D had expired. Would the airline let me fly on their plane if they saw me in my brace? Alaskan Airline recently refused to carry a woman with the same diagnosis as me. I had to go for chemotherapy before the flight, would there be enough time afterward for me to catch my flight? How do I carry my luggage around?
• The Las Vegas saga continues next week.