The "Running Man"

Friday Night at the Madison Football Championship Game

Before the cancer word was real in our family, I rarely danced in our home. ONCE in a while, I would try to impromptu waltz with Matt or one of the boys, but they would shrug me off and be amused but annoyed.  Or, if a great song was playing on the radio I would take the boys' hands and try to teach them to "country swing," but that also died quickly. I always enjoyed dancing, but my love for it didn't carry it into our busy, all boy, football-baseball--world.

There was a time though, not long after Jace was diagnosed that the only thing to make him smile, was me doing the old school "Running Man." He'd be so sick on the couch, grouchy and hopeless-- at my mercy if you will, and desperately I would grasp for anything that would make him smile. Apparently, I look pretty goofy with my 90's Hip Hop dance moves, because inevitably he would smile, and we would both end up giggling a bit.

Friday morning before school we were alone in our house when I gave Jace his last oral chemo meds.  Matt was already at work, and Hayd had practice. I couldn't just give Jace his last meds without celebrating though!!  He was in a hurry, looking for his backpack when I approached him with a HUGE smile on my face and his final spoonful of applesauce. He gulped it down and turned to go, when to his surprise, I started cheering AND doing the "Running Man":

"WOO HOO! ...AH YEAH! UH-HUH! YOU DID IT! ...THAT'S RIGHT! ...UH-HUH! ...AH YEAH!"

Jace shook his head in dismay. "Um, mom? Oh my gosh. Stop....Seriously, MOM! Stop."

"WOO HOO! ...AH YEAH! UH-HUH! YOU DID IT! ...THAT'S RIGHT! ...UH-HUH! ...AH YEAH! 

"Mooooom! You are so embarrassing..."

"WOO HOO! ...AH YEAH! UH-HUH! YOU DID IT! ...THAT'S RIGHT! ...UH-HUH! ...AH YEAH!" 

By then he had his hand over his eyes, still shaking his head.  As he peaked up to see if I was finished, I did a few exaggerated cheerleading moves, yelling like we'd just won a state football championship..."WOO HOO! YOU DID IT!  GooooOOOO... JACE!" 

Then I saw them... his dimples. Still shaking his head in pretend disbelief at his crazy mother, Jace smiled the most genuine, happy smile I have ever seen.  I think there was part of him that wanted to do the "Running Man" himself... ha ha... but it's just not cool to dance with your mom in the kitchen when the bus is coming... I reached for him and hugged him tightly. I whispered in his ear, "You did it."

He smiled and nodded quietly. Then, humbly he reminded me, "Mom... I gotta go??"  Jace found his backpack, kissed my cheek, and RAN out the door.  I followed him, and watched him RUN across the driveway as a few tears fell down my cheeks. There was a time when I didn't know Jace would run again.  And look at us now... running AND dancing. 

Life sure has a way of teaching me to appreciate the little things. Jace told me the other day that he wants to do a youth triathlon next summer. He wants to run, bike, and swim... because he can.:)  I also think there's a chance I may continue to do the "Running Man" every chance I get... just so I don't forget; it really is pretty fun to dance.:)

Hey everyone...

We did it.

Jace finished chemo.

Join us Wednesday to celebrate? 

Email me if you have questions, or if you have pics of you celebrating with us from afar! We'd love to see them. 

mattnamyleigh@msn.com

Love you all.