Andrew and I will always have the running battle about religion. Andrew's Jewish and I was brought up Catholic. Neither of us has given up our birth faiths to convert to the others, though sometimes I think our families would like to see it. My mom always says, 'we should pick a religion in the middle and join that.' Honestly we have no idea what that means, but joke that maybe it's Buddhism. Not exactly what I think Linda was thinking ... but everyone just goes along with us.
But maybe we are on to something. Since Andrew has been diagnosed (and put on Lexapro) his attitude about the disease and how he would like people to preserve his attitude about the disease has been amazing. He has started to tell me what an inspirational person he thinks he is... spreading the message of positive thoughts and healing to all he meets. But it wasn't until this weekend that I saw A. Lama at work.
So why A. Lama ... because Dalai was taken. This weekend we went to Mia Westoff's first birthday party where most of the people at the event had no idea Andrew was sick. It wasn't until he was asked how he got his head to have such a smooth shave, that A. Lama and his spiritual and life views became the center of the discussion. It's natural that people are curious about his disease and how someone who looks as healthy as he does is sick. But it wasn't until I looked around the room at all the guests sitting intently on the U shaped couch, while A. perched on a chair in front of them, did I realize maybe he does command a crowd. I mean, he's not Gandhi and going to lead his people on a salt march to protest the tax on salt but his attitude and the way people preserve him, helps them not only to better understanding the devastating effects of cancer but how to deal with it and treat people with the disease as friends, family members and loved ones and not patients.
And though we will probably not be converting to Buddhism any time soon, Buddha are described 'as an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help sentient beings escape the cycle of suffering and rebirth. The Buddha's teachings provide instructions on how to understand the true nature of phenomena, end suffering, and nirvana.' Spreading his message and story is one of the most powerful ways to find a cure and to educate others about the signs and symptoms of cancer.
So for now, a new mentor on life, strength and awareness walks among us, A. Lama. And since he's not Buddhist and completely selfless.... he charges by the hour, doesn't handle children and insists that all of his food be served on gold plates arranged so none of the items on the plate touch one another ...... Celebrities and their crazy demands. To book him for your next party, bar or bat mitzvah or retirement soiree, call him at 1-888-gr8-ALAMA... and ask for Amy. Dates are booking quickly so act fast.
Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
