Barb Wilkins- Mondays with Treice

Mondays with Treice I will never forget the day Treice called and told me she had cancer. She was newly married and a new Mom and it didn't seem possible. I remember feeling numb. I remember feeling like my life, as I had known it was changed forever. My life? What about her life?This is not the way it was supposed to be. It was supposed to be early detection, treatment, cures and sighs of relief. Monday, for me became a special day. It was my day and I would spend many, many Mondays with Treice. She would plan a lot of her appointments on Monday, I think she liked my driving and she definitely liked riding in the car with the big pink flowers. The journey I took with this woman that I love and this family that feels like my family was rich and scary and full of laughter and tears. That will continue even though she isn't here to see it. I think she knows.One Monday I arrived at the house and Treice was not having a great day, she was in bed and dealing with a lot of pain. We didn't cry together much but I saw a sad look in her eyes and I asked her if she was having a sad day. She looked at me like I was crazy. She thought I had asked her if she was having a fat day. We laughed about that one for a long time. We played softball together for many years, Treice played first base and me on second. We always tried to make the double play and once and a while we pulled it off. Before every play we would look at each other and say in our best immigrant grandmother voice :"Alone, we are nothing- Together, we are SPECIAL!" I feel really grateful that we were able to share so many great times together. Although she thanked me often in the end I am the one who is thankful. I am so thankful that she let me in. Treice was an amazing woman, courageous and sweet and also one of the most stubborn, bluntest and funniest people I will ever know.
I will miss her dearly and think of her every time it's Monday or just feels like Monday.