She has had a similarly busy time over the course of the past year and last week came the news that her husband is fighting cancer. That news is always shocking and I'm sure they are running a full range of emotions. Still, if anyone can face this with grace and courage it's Dan, Jacki and their family.
She called this morning to see how I'm recovering and brought me up to speed on the latest appointment with their doctor. She went on to tell me how she, Dan, their son Andy and his wife were at the movies together last night when they happened to run into their surgeon and his family.
Fankly, I never know what the proper ettiquette is when you see your doctor in a social setting. Do I make eye contact with my OBGYN (or worse his wife) when we all happen to be at the same picnic? Nope. I gotta admit, I don't. Do I try to chit chat with my family practice doctor when we both end up at the same ladies night out event? Nah. Let's not go there.
My own uncertainty about this made Dan's reaction to seeing his doctor all the more amazing to me.
You see, my brave and composed friend turned and walked across the lobby of the movie theater where he addressed the doctor, his wife and their two young daughters saying, "A long time ago I took my daughter to work with me on Take Your Daughter to Work Day. It was a good chance for her to see that when I was away from my family I was doing important work. I want you girls to know that the same is true of your father. He has a very important job and he helps a lot of people. He found some cancer in me a few weeks ago and now he's helping me get better. You can be very proud of your dad."
I imagine those girls will not soon forget the way a stranger spoke so respectfully of their father. I also know that the doctor's daughters aren't the only ones who should be proud of their dad. Just ask Kristen, Matt and Andy.
