Tale of a Promise...

Hello my fellow readers! Trevor aka T Man here with our February tale. As it will soon be Valentine's Day, we thought it appropriate to share this particular tale with you. As we continue, you will understand where we are going with this. BOL 

On February 13, 2011, I was introduced as the new storyteller for Brenda's Brainstorm. Don't you just love that name? It's hard to picture it being that long, but I've enjoyed it so much. 

Brenda and I became a team that day and that has never wavered. BOL Many of you thought I was real for years. It was all part of Brenda's creativity that was sparked after her brain tumor experience. Along with emotions came a real sense of wanting to illustrate how this experience truly changed her. Speaking of creativity, Brenda's mother probably held that title even more so. This is where we get into the meat of this tale. You know how I love meat. BOL

Many years ago for Valentine's Day, Brenda's mother surprised her with a beautifully crocheted heart, which you could hang. She had an area in her last apartment where it hung perfectly. Where she is living now will be 30 years in April, so this wonderful surprise was given well over 3 decades ago. 

As some of you know, Brenda made a promise to her mother while she was dying, to live her life. Her mother's was to always remain in her heart. This is where the poem that Brenda composed all came about. 

Her promise though, is more than that. It centers around her whole being where advocacy is concerned. Brenda knows that is one area, where she can shine, even if it happens to be in the background at times. She is fine with that. Brenda knows she is doing exactly what she needs to, and that is continuing to keep that promise to her mother. She also told her to grab what she wants. She simply meant to not be so afraid to try new things. 

Brenda's mother was probably her greatest cheerleader. She was there when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) almost 31 years ago. Although it was not in close proximity, it was still her mother showing love and care. I'm sure she was heartbroken. Brenda's mother never showed her emotions that much in public. That is probably part of her German heritage. 

She did however, surprise Brenda with something she will never forget and will always treasure. As she was being taken to the operating room for her craniotomy on September 8, 2008, Brenda's mother leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. She demonstrated to Brenda that she really cared and she had to have been scared too. They had a deep conversation the night before, in case Brenda would not have made it through, would she have been ready. Brenda assured her that she was. She hadn't really thought about that possibility, but it was mentioned the next day, as she was being prepared for her brain surgery. She was told she could have a seizure, stroke or even die. I can't even imagine. 

Well we know that didn't happen, as they were able to get the entire tumor along with the tail, as it was a meningioma and that is a striking characteristic of this kind of tumor. It was noncancerous and the size of a golf ball, located in the right frontal lobe. There is where her emotions come in, good or bad at times. Brenda is good with that. 

This blog would not have ever been created or you would never have known of me. BOL Her writing started about a year after that experience. Her first year of being a brain tumor survivor was difficult and unnerving at times. She wasn't sure what was happening and it was scary at times. Brenda thought something was seriously wrong. Brenda's mother was her caregiver and unfortunately at times was the recipient of her anger, something Brenda is not proud of. I'm so glad she was able to figure out what was causing it and finding ways to deal with it, in a more healthy way. 

It ended up being frontal lobe syndrome. Although Brenda was never clinically diagnosed, she got connected with enough brain tumor survivors and their experiences were so similar, there was no question, what she was dealing with. She began to feel so much better about herself and that is when the creativity started to take off. I'm glad it did. 

Brenda found out the day of her mother's funeral that she had written poetry. They never found any in her belongings. I'm sure she had destroyed it. She was not one as we said before, to share her emotions or feelings in public. As Brenda wrote in her mother's funeral program booklet, "She had a quiet faith, but it was genuine." 

Brenda started writing poetry one day. She believes it was a gift that her mother left her. She hasn't composed much lately, but at that time it was something that she needed to help her cope. 

We will leave you with the one poem that centers around that promise, Brenda made to her mother. 

This has been another T Man Production. Happy Valentine's Day and remember to hug your loved ones tight, if they are still with you.