They say it takes a village to raise a child. It takes a village to cope with cancer, too. Charlotte and I could not do this cancer cure quest to Mexico without our ‘village.’
My son’s vigilance at Las Golondrinas, feeding and watching over our Scotties and other animals, and taking care of our old place, makes me able to sleep at night knowing he is there. The Rio Abajo has had severe freezing in recent days, so getting water to the donkeys and goats has been a struggle but Nathan is an improvisor and a can-do person who figures things out and gets them done.
Scottie friends near our home have stepped up, befriending Nathan, feeding him and entertaining him over Christmas and New Years holidays “so he wouldn’t be by himself.”
Today, borrowing a Cancer Clinic “U.S.” phone, I phoned our investment broker in Albuquerque and our branch bank in Los Lunas to facilitate transfer of funds, and discovered quiet benefits of our ‘village.’ Our investment advisor knows and loves Charlotte and me and our bank staff are friends. I did not have foresight to bring with me from home account numbers and other details. It was all I could do to bring a list of important phone numbers I would need. Although I did not have the requisite paper work for important transactions I had something better: personal connection with people who know us and who care.
At the San Diego Clinic Charlotte receives personalized care from Doctors and staff who relate to us with compassion and attention to personal detail. Char’s mouth sores have returned (she had similar ulcers during the worst of our chemo-therapy days) and the sores make eating painful for her. She remembered a mouth wash/medicine named “Mouth Magic” she used in the past that effectively numbed her mouth and brought relief. I sent an e-mail to my son, he went to “Bruce,” our pharmacist in Los Lunas, Bruce gave Nathan the medicine’s ‘formula’ to email to me, I gave the formula to Charlotte’s cancer clinic doctors and they had a bottle of simulated medicine ready that afternoon for us to take back to Dali Suites for Charlotte to use for her mouth! It takes a village.
And for every person who has helped Charlotte directly in one way or another there are ten more whose kind emails and responses to my blog reports are aimed at lifting my spirit and conveying hope and support. I am the beneficiary of a vigorous and caring Scottie ‘village.’
But of course it is not just a village, not mere numbers, that makes a difference. It takes a connected and caring village. Said another way, it takes good Karma. I’m immodest but unapologetic in saying our Scottie ‘village’ cares about Charlotte and me because for fourteen years we’ve cared deeply and invested heavily in our ‘village.’ Everyone who knows Charlotte loves her and everyone who recognizes authentic and uniquely personal passion for our breed values Great Scots Magazine as an important independent voice for health and genetic husbandry of the Scottish Terrier. We’ve cared deeply enough to speak what I believe is truth to power, speaking out when it was sabbotage to do so. But we care, we care about the dogs who are dying at younger and younger ages, we care about the hearts of owners shattered by a gene pool driven to inbreeding depression by line-breeding for show success. We care.
And so, our caring, sent forth these fourteen years of GSM as “bread cast upon the waters” comes back to us now from a world-wide village of Scottish Terrier companion owners who love us and who care about Charlotte’s health and our future.
Life can be brutal and the world a very lonely place. But having a ‘village’ behind you, one that knows and cares, makes all the difference.
Joseph Harvill, publisher Great Scots Magazine
Dearest Harvill Clan, you are close to us even now, and we send our spirit of love and caring concern to you via the Big Dipper from our spot on the planet here in Colorado. Yes, the village is huge, and strong, and better than it has ever been, because of you both - Charlotte once told us when bad things were happening here, in this part of the village, that she wished she could make it all better for us - Via her spirit of love and concern, our hearts were strengthened and touched by her dear words. They meant so much to us in our moment of pain. They truly touched our hearts. We send the love and hope right back to both of you now - What goes around, comes around. We are with you now and sharing our Diehard Spirit and Love from all around the world - the world that you both created, and opened up for us, and for which we shall always be grateful. Village Roos and XO’s.
Dear Joseph and Charlotte,
I have been making it a point to read your blog daily since you posted the aggressive recurrence of Charlotte’s cancer. As Farrah Fawcett said “cancer is a disease that is mysterious, headstrong, and makes its own rules.” Thinking of you both every day and am praying for Charlotte’s full recovery.
Diane and Jock Ball
(P.S. Jock sends wags and noses to all.)
Dear Friends…our thoughts are with you on this New Year’s Eve, as they always will be.
We are praying that Charlotte will find a healthier new year awaiting her.
We have a cross-stitch that says… MARRIAGE:
MAY THERE BE SUCH A ONENESS BETWEEN YOU THAT WHEN ONE WEEPS THE OTHER WILL TASTE THE SALT.
This is true in our life, and it certainly is true in your lives.
You are blessed to have each other.
We are always here for you both.
Dear Ones,
Yes, it does take a village, and so often you have been there for us in times of need. The Scottie network is so special and unique as are the people. Both of you have touched the lives and hearts of so many of us; we hurt because you are hurting and hope and pray that the beginning of 2010 will show much improved health and hope. Know that you are loved.
Norma and Evangeline
Charlotte and Joseph,
My thoughts and good wishes are with you this new year.
All the best,
Rick
Dearest Charlotte and Joseph,
We’ve just learned what happened and want you to know you’re in our prayers and in our hearts.
Over the past 14 years you’ve both become a huge part of our lives. We’ve followed you through GSM and and feel we’re soul mates of a kind. We share your love of Scotties and their die hard spirit and together with our own ups and downs these past few years, we have followed yours. We too have been battling cancer and are living with the side effects of treatment every day. Please know that though you’re far away in miles, you are both very close in our hearts. From deep in the woods of Sweden we look up at the skies and see some of the same stars and the moon which is almost full tonight is the same moon you’ll be looking at. You’re not so far away and as we look at it tonight we’re sending prayers and best wishes your way. We look forward to meeting you both one day when we’ve all come out on the other side of this horrible illness. In the meantime, thank you for letting us be part of your village and your lives.
Inger, Hans and Laddie
Yes indeed, you and Charlotte made this village. For us Scottie crazies in the village, you consciously evoked the strong love we all share for our little dogs, and both of you embodied that for all of us. No wonder you feel the love! And don’t fool yourself, Joseph, it’s not just Charlotte that people love on first encounter. You have a totally different personality, but we who choose strong-willed dogs find you a delight, too, and feel the same love for you.
Tonight in the skies over Chicago is a glorious full BLUE MOON, which I take as an excellent omen for Charlotte’s remission as we go into 2010. Your fellow villagers can all gaze up at the blue moon tonight, making their wishes for Charlotte, for a return to health this year. May the mouth sores abate, may the ascites and jaundice disappear, may the cancer cells slip quietly into abeyance as Charlotte’s healthy cells surround them, easing them out of her liver, lungs, bones, and whole body and out of your lives. That’s my wish on the glorious blue moon that shepherds us all into the new year. With love and strong hope, Laurie