THE SUNSHINY SUPERWARRIOR GODDESS SPEAKS AGAIN!

And now, for a post Bar Mitzvah post by none other than Nancy Neufeld Callaway:

January 28th was the best day ever!  Not only did Cosmo, under incredible pressure, do a spectacular job as he became a Bar Mitzvah — but I was with him for all of it.  Holding him. Hugging him. Smiling at him. Standing with him. Taking it all in. His composure and grace were inspiring. I couldn’t have been any happier or any prouder.

How did I pull myself together, you ask? Great question!

I wore a beautiful new navy blue dress with fabulous patterned boots lovingly purchased and delivered straight to my hospital room by a dear friend.  Not just one dress, but 8 dresses in multiple sizes. Talk about a blessing! Truth be told, I had NO dress, and no brain to even think about getting one. In my mind, if I was able to go — sweats and a baseball cap would've been just fine! But guess what? I did a little better than that.

When I realized I had no stockings, another dear friend ran out and did the worlds’-fastest-mall-run, getting them to my house hours before I needed to leave (and she also brought her mother’s jewelry for me to wear-- and knowing that her mother passed away a few years ago — it was an act of deep intimacy and true kindness).

I also wore a lush wig lovingly secured to my head by a woman who prides herself on helping cancer patients in these kinds of situations.

I did my make-up, and made the goofy mistake of using old mascara (which resulted in a bit of an infection) because I still don't know the ins and out of this disease yet.

And at the end of the day — I didn’t do too badly for a tired, pale, bald chick who just had four rounds of chemo. Cinderella would have been proud.

But I couldn’t have done ANY of it without friends, because as I have now experienced first-hand, it takes a village. And a husband. And 3 devoted children. And every day, it’s still humbling for me to bear witness too.

I also wanted to thank all of Cosmo’s friends for the love and respect they gave him during his service. Many of them had to stand the entire time as we ran out of chairs. I’ve noticed that often, in services of boys just turning 13,  there are always a few kids who get the giggles, or are antsy, or just have trouble sitting for that long, and your feel the unfocused energy. But not yesterday. Each friend of his was beyond kind, and attentive, and supportive of his words. They made him feel like a million bucks, and I can’t thank them, (or their wonderful parents) enough for instilling that kind of respect in their children. It was beautiful to feel.

And now, I’m pretty tired. More tired than I’ve been so far. But way more happy. So that’s what I’m going to dream about tonight.