This weekend, we went on our annual trip to Wyoming. It's a short fun drive. About three hours if you're driving slowly. The highlight of the drive was our stop in Evanston, where we entered the most amazing McDonald's I've ever stepped foot in. We walked in and were greeted with a roaring fireplace surrounded by soft comfortable chairs. The playplace was equipped with saddles for the seats. There were TVs all along the walls, including in the bathroom. And even better, the McRib is back. A perfect beginning to a great weekend.
We got into Green River around nine. This weekend, we really got to experience Wyoming. We went up on the bluffs and shot clay pigeons. This was the first time I've ever shot a gun in my life. I didn't hit a clay pigeon, by the way. Eric did and he loved it. And Amy is so good at shooting. It's amazing how much you'll learn about a friend you think you know after you see her with her family where she grew up.
That night, we went to the Cowboys Against Cancer benefit. It's a huge deal. The Governor of Wyoming and other dignitaries come every year. We ate duck and even got to dance after the auction. And you don't even want to get me started on the auction. I nearly had to hold Eric's hand down he wanted to bid on this adorable long-haired chihauhau puppy. Sure, I agree it was cute, but we already have a chihauhau (and Eric, I no longer believe you hate Tigger--I know you secretly love him now) we can barely tolerate.
There's a moment during the event when they ask all the cancer survivors to come up on stage. Most of us hobbled up there--I felt a little out of place. But it was at Cowboys Against Cancer last year as I stood on that stage looking out at everyone that realized it was a big deal that I survived cancer. I never honestly stopped to think about it. Yes, it will be five years next month. And it is a big deal. And it's almost as if it never happened. This year, I stood up there again and remembered it's a big deal that I'm alive. There was a time when I thought I would die and leave Eric and Bianca alone. All the cancer survivors got a little bag of stuff-including a thermos, hat, pins, a tool kit, and other stuff. And you know how I like to get something free.
The next morning, we packed up our stuff and headed home. We'd had a great time. Amy's dad and his wife treated us like family. They even had surprises for Bianca, as if she were their granddaughter. We stopped at the amazing McDonald's on our way home and got here shortly after, where Tigger (our chihauhau) greeted us excitedly by running back and forth in the family room. As Bianca says, he was crazy loco.
I unpacked my bag and my Cowboys Against Cancer gift bag for being a cancer survivor. Bianca was disappointed that there was nothing in there for her. She complained a little and asked why I didn't take her to the Cowboys Against Cancer "store" to buy some things. So maybe I'm a little dramatic, but I looked at her and said, "Bianca, you're lucky to have a mom." And I think I need to start remembering that more than I do, that I should be grateful that I'm still here.
