By Nick Rolon
Author, Roy T. Bennett once said, “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart”.
My parents, Teresa and Nicholas Rolon, met in Brooklyn, NY. My mother was Irish, and My father was Spanish. At the time, their parents had opposed the relationship. They lived in apartment buildings across from each other and would use walkie talkie radios to communicate in secrecy. Bike rides, talks at the soda shop, walks from school, and trips to Coney Island soon led to this real life “West Side Story” love affair. They were in fearless love and would lay on their beach blankets dreaming of a future together. Their love for each other inspired others and acceptance from their parents. They married on Saturday, September 19, 1965 in a Brooklyn church. Our life would begin above a bakery with the first of five children born and the smell of oven baked bread from the bakery waking us each morning. On a fall day in 2015, My parents would renew their wedding vows at the same alter; both looking into each other’s teary eyes and saying “I Do” again – 50 years later.
In the spring of 2016, my mother, Teresa Rolon, was having trouble walking and fell several times including during a doctor visit. She was taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and an MRI was completed to examine her brain. At 73 years old, she had led a life of relatively good health. Aside from her hospitals stays during the births of myself and my siblings, she had never been admitted to a hospital. A biopsy further revealed our worst thoughts – Lymphoma of the brain: a rare cancer that starts in the lymph tissues/blood of the brain. The most loving, giving, caring person was about to enter the battle for her life.
She experienced the depression, the fear, the pain, the self-doubt and at times the loss of hope. With the love and support of my father, brothers and sisters, family, friends, she was determined to fight back against the disease in her mind with the power of love in her heart. During the years of chemotherapy treatments, countless lab works, hospital stays, doctor visits, physical & cognitive therapy, and counseling sessions Mom was gracious and giving. The hospital hallway walks with the IV drip pole, the therapist chants of “left foot right foot left foot right foot” teaching her to walk again, the loss of appetite, and she persevered. One day I found her sitting on her hospital bed with my father and both were wearing Red Noses to support Walgreens Red Nose Day campaign to end child poverty and then she was at a Metlife Stadium Cancer Survivor event speaking words of encouragement to survivors.
On Monday, May 20th, 2019 my mother will be celebrating her 76th year birthday thanks to the many nurses, doctors, therapists, family, friends, and her devoted husband, the North Bergen, NJ community and Samuel Singer, M.D. of the John Theurer Cancer Center /Hackensack University Medical Center who has been incredible from day one. Thanks to her favorite singer – Ed Sheeran who motivated her through his songs while receiving treatment- She attended his concert in 2018.
Our life experiences can inspire our writing:
· Observing my mother re-learn to write during her rehabilitation inspired me to write again – never take writing for granted.
· I estimate my mother has handwritten over 5,000 cards & letters to family & friends – I learned early in life the power of words and how they can inspire, encourage, and support others.
· I am inspired to write about my parents 54-year romance which began in Brooklyn, NY; A Brooklyn Love Story might be a good book title.
· Writing is therapeutic- Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you”.
· In February 2019, my mother began writing her own life story with help from her family. The handwritten words, at times difficult to read, inspired everyone and proved that a setback is not the end of your story. This example motivates me to continue writing no matter the obstacle.
This year marks the 70th Anniversary of celebrating Mental Health Month in May. The theme this year is expanding upon last year’s theme of #4Mind4Body and taking it to the next level exploring the topics of animal companionship (including pets and support animals), spirituality, humor, work-life balance, recreation, and social connections as many ways to boost mental health and general wellness. Please visit the website below for more information.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741
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