#AnotherWorldProblems

“Oh NO! Jasmine Tea or Green Tea?!?!? The choice is impossible!”
“Oh NO! There’s no plug in the floor by the couch!”
“Oh NO! My Scotch isn’t single malt!”

Millennials love to cry “#FirstWorldProblems” as if the world will literally implode if their small batch brewed Kombucha *gasp* isn’t gluten-free! Not ALL but as a general rule Millennials are perpetually in need of new and exciting forms of entertainment. Meanwhile Mom is still laughing at the same jokes that have amused her for nearly half a century! That’s true love right there! On our Bucket List Trip for Mom we were discussing different #FirstWorldProblems and Aunt Micki coined the phrase #AnotherWorldProblems. We don’t have #FirstWorldProblems in our our family. We have #AnotherWorldProblems. We have ridiculous problems in which our family finds humor.

Prime example: some years ago an avid hunter and friend of Dad’s invited him to go elk hunting with them in Wyoming. Dad, too tenderhearted to kill a palmetto bug (“they won’t eat much”-his favorite line when we found them in the house growing up), was elated. I’m sure he was more excited about just being in the wild outdoors than actually killing a creature. It was because of his tender heart that his friends offered him a gun for the trip. The intent of the gun was not for use in hunting. Rather, they provided it for Dad to “shoot himself in case he came upon a bear” because they knew he wouldn’t be able to bring himself to kill a bear! #AnotherWorldProblems… or maybe #NewWorldMentalityProblems.

Mom is also too pure of heart. I suppose that’s why they are such a perfect match. While having dinner at an Irish pub this week we were talking about Irish Car Bombs (an American take on a mixture of Irish ingredients, FYI). Later, Mom said “What did you ask for? An Irish car wreck?” We all had to laugh at *ahem* I mean with her. I’m not sure if they naturally fit like the puzzle pieces they are now or if they grew together over time, you know, like a bacteria. Either way, most of you may know their loving nicknames for one another has always been “Booger”. Yes, the germ infested goo that comes from your nose. That’s the term of endearment my parents chose for themselves. Darling, isn’t it? Anyway, I’m pretty sure Ben started calling Dad Big Booger and Mom Little Booger – and does to this day. We heard it so much our whole lives that apparently when I was a kid I walked in to find them hugging and said “Oh look! Two Boogers stuck together!” ❤ Dad says it started while they were courting by referring to one another as “Sugar Booger”. That has been their name for each other for so long that even others in extended family and friends call them “Booger” when they see Mom & Dad.

As we get older we either grow more similar to or gradually become aware of how much we’ve always been like our parents. Currently, I’m sitting at the dining room table of our beautifully snow surrounded rental home in NY listening to the soundtrack of the life I love: the collective chatter of my family in the kitchen. Add to that, the sound of metal grating on metal as Dad gives Aunt Joon detailed instructions on how to properly sharpen a knife. At the same time I hear the grinding of metal against rock and look over to find Ben sharpening another knife on the stone hearth of the fireplace. Not sure who achieved the perfect edge. Maybe it’s a guy thing. I’m more inclined to think it is a “Price” guy thing. After all, Papa Price was a knife maker – Dad. Earlier today Ben walked by Mom and gently poked her in the ribs (as he often does) and she grunted (as she always does) and Ben said “I didn’t poke your cancer, did I?” He gets his sense of humor from the Prices too.

While discussing the daily bible text this morning about modesty Mom commented on the portion about modesty in clothing. Act surprised… Try. Her strongly held notions about clothing and modesty are based on her love for God and her love of what’s right. Today’s popular opinion of clothing and modesty is a #FirstWorldProblem. The contrary viewpoint clearly shows how much a woman respects herself. Mom, if you’re reading, I get it now. But I digress. Mom’s strict opinion of modesty is the worst kept secret in the south. I didn’t appreciate it as much in my younger days, typical. As I’ve grown older (and probably more like my mother) I have come to greatly respect her stance. After Mom finished her comment on the  daily text Dad said “Luci’s headstone will read ‘It’s ALL covered up now!'”

Clothing isn’t the only thing Mom has been modest about. It’s literally everything else too! It is probably one of her best qualities but through this ordeal she has certainly become more balanced. She used to wince if someone referred to any bodily function. As constipation is a common side effect of Chemo and bowel obstructions are almost inevitable with end-stage Ovarian Cancer, we’ve frequently sought the advice of her medical team on staying ahead of this. As a result, she has gradually lessened her prudish secrecy about such discussions. She is now proud of her prune juice routine and Miralax is always on the counter. Ben saw it yesterday and said “who’s LavaClear is this?” That turn of words is appropriate and we shall only reference it as such from now on, lol!

This week has been awe-inspiring to say the least! Mom and Dad had a smooth trip to NY with Uncle Jeff & Aunt Micki and the brothers at Warwick really pulled out all the stops for Mom! She got to see all of the museums, countless historical items from all over the world thanks to Dad’s former Bethel overseer and long-time family friend’s office tour and reunite with two cousins she hadn’t seen in years. The views of Headquarters in the snow were breathtaking and we got to see a dear friend from SC, even if for only a minute. So far, it has been mostly sweet with just a tinge of bitter. The special privilege of doing all this isn’t lost on us! A HUGE Thank You to everyone who has made this possible for Mom! It strengthened our faith that this “First World” isn’t what we’re living for. We’ll keep living in our cyclone of #AnotherWorldProblems until the #NewWorldProblems like too much time to spend with our family, not enough time to eat all the delicious foods, too many days without pain and #NoMoreHashtags are all we have. When reading this Mom said “But… we live in the #NoMoreHashtags world now!” and Dad said “What’s a #Hashtag?”

It’s snowing again and I’ve been droning on for too long. I suppose it’s time for me to rejoin the others bonding by laying around napping, reading on their respective electronic devices or scrolling through social media. Wait! We’re out of single malt Scotch, I’ll have to suffer through some 27 year blended Scotch while using the meager 18% of battery left on my iPad since the plug is all the way across the room. *sigh* I’ll save the excruciating decision of jasmine vs. green for later because right now, I can’t even! #FirstWorldProblems.