PinterestCynthia!
Monday, September 13, 2010 at 9:29AM People are always asking me questions about Mom...
How is she?
How long has she been in remission?
Is she in remission?
Is she in treatment?
Is she working... when did she start working again?
On 9/11, nine years ago, Mom was diagnosed in the middle of an emergency surgery, with stage 3C ovarian cancer. 9/11 started out as an awful day anyway, where everything around us was chaotic. Then, to have this unbelievable news about the angel in our family. My mother is the center of our family...we each felt as if our own worlds were falling apart!
During her surgery, Dr. Jennifer Dulaney removed most of her cancer surgically while also performing an emergency hysterectomy. After surgery, Mom had a week of recovery in the hospital. When she returned home, she was put to bed and hardly moved an inch without help because of the extensive surgery she had just been through.
What I remember about that week, was being in Mom and Dad’s hot garage, which had a window where I could see directly into Mom’s bedroom. I could watch over her while unpacking a garage-full of Christmas merchandise for the store. I also kept her house phone with me and earned the nickname of “nap nazi”. I made sure the “nap” signs were up on all the doors when needed. The other thing I did was to unplug her phone to insure the needed quiet time from the multitude of shocked and loving friends coming to check on her.
After recovering for another week, it was time to visit Dr. Jose Lopez, her oncologist, who suggested she begin chemotherapy right away. Our whole family was there for that visit so we could listen to every detail of what he suggested for her treatments. The treatments started soon after. A few weeks later when she as attending a Gift Market in Dallas for our store, her hair began to fall out. On her return home, we went to shop for a wig and I watched in tears as her head was being shaved to fit her new wig.
It would be difficult and lengthy to recount all the medical issues that have happened to Mom for the past nine years since her diagnosis. Cancer did not take over her life on 9/ 11. She has had excellent and loving medical care from her doctors, surgeons, nurses and medical staff. Her focus has been on a healthy lifestyle. And above all, she has a faith that is rock solid. Her amazing Christian prayer warriors have lifted her in prayer all these years and have been an encouragement to her. The letters she has received from people she has never met, have been a blessing to her. There are many churches that still have her on their prayer lists.
And to answer some of the questions about how she spends her time...well, she has never stopped working. She continues to create incredible dishes for our restaurant, even though her taste buds are sometimes affected by her chemotherapy treatments. It’s her passion for food, which comes through naturally. She loves puttering in her garden and overseeing the grounds at The Peach Tree with Dad. Going on weeklong Gift Market buying trips energize her, where it might exhaust the average person. Often when I’m re-displaying the shop, she will come in and help or we just enjoy a good visit. Then, there are the errands to the local farmers for fresh produce, or a quick trip into Central Market for some special ingredients, and on and on...
If it is possible, I wonder sometimes if she has become even more productive since before cancer entered her life. One thing for sure, she has always had a lot of creative energy that seems to drive her. But, I have also seen her at peace when she is resting, whether taking a nap, visiting with friends, knitting, or spending a day with a grandchild. These past nine years, Mom has been living an incredibly full life while managing cancer!
In the beginning of her treatment, she was given a vision which seemed to free her from the fear of chemotherapy. She imagined the drops of chemo going into her body – not as poison, but each drop as an arrow of blessing – together with prayers fighting for her good. Just as the planes changed our nation forever on 9/11, cancer changed our lives, but it has not taken over our lives. There is a bigger picture. Since that terrible first day, Mom has been able to enjoy the births of four more precious grandchildren. There have been countless perfectly wonderful today’s to enjoy.
One of my biggest life lessons has come from her in the simple knowledge that all we have is today – so be useful and make it great because this is where we are right now. We have to trust God for the future since none of us know what will happen tomorrow. We must “Celebrate the Gift of the Temporary”!
Reader Comments (7)
I was introduced to the Peach Tree Tea Room by my stepmother, Lynn. She had your 1st green cookbook, autographed, and made me several things from it. This was in 1995, when I was in college. That same year, Lynnie was diagnosed with Renal Cell Cancer and wound up passing away in Nov 1996. I found the cookbook and claimed it after she was gone. The 1st time I ever ate at the Peach Tree tea room was in 1997, and had to choke down my food... not because it was bad (it was absolutely delicious!!), but because your restaurant brought my stepmom such joy. To imagine her sitting at your table, eating a sandwich, living and laughing and loving. She was an Army brat who spent much of her life in Savannah, Ga, and was an amazing cook! I wound up buying 2 more of your cookbooks. I feel, in a sense, you are like family I never met..... because unknowingly, you have a great connection to my own family. Memories of joy. Many prayers to you, Cynthia, and your family... keep on doing what you're doing. Many of your fans voice it, just add me to the chior. :) xoxox Much love, Nikki (a lifelong Texan who now lives in the NYC-metro area, in Stratford, CT)
We had a delightful lunch at your place Wednesday. It was my Aunts 85th birthday, which is an awesome age to celebrate. She (Z Hickman) was not only surprised but excited to have a small party gathering in her honor. The Peach Tree is a charming eatery as well as the extensive gift boutique for personal shopping. Our waitress took perfect care of us and was patient with our 3 hr visit! Each of us enjoyed the homemade sandwiches and hearty soups. The garnishments of fresh fruit was delicious. My Aunt chose the Apricot Fried Pie as her birthday dessert, which was served on a special red birthday plate.
Thank you for the perfect lunch! We will return for another celebration soon. We traveled from west texas, so needless to say, the drive into the hill country was a pleasure.
June Ferguson
I was searching your new site in order to post my best wishes to you on your new endeavor and congratulate you because we were unable to come to your opening. Instead, I found yor comments about Cynthia and was so touched. My husband, George, and I have a vacation home in Fredericksburg and have been visiting the Peach Tree since it first opened with just a couple of tables and gifts so many years ago. I also have all of Cynthia's cookbooks, have enjoyed so many of the recipes, but really enjoyed reading the books and discovering the love that she has for God, family and friends as is displayed throughout. I have given so many of her books as gifts to my family and friends that I cannot even count them. And by the way, the recipes have wonderfully stood the test of time and are still some of our family favorites. We have become acquainted with your wonderful father, Hector, and only recently were privileged to meet your mother in the store one day. The store has always had a special sort of serenity and peacefullness to it. But now we know why; it's because of her presence and touch. She truly is a special person and one can feel a sense of serenity as an aura that surrounds her. One can feel and see in her face that she is a much loved person. She has been in our prayers for several years since when visiting the Peach Tree once someone told us about her cancer diagnosis. So it was so nice to finally meet her.
We continue to enjoy the Peach Tree as one of Texas' and America's absolute best quality gift shops and tea/luncheon rooms. And we know you will do well in your new endeavor. Our prayers for Cynthia's continued improvement.
Anita and George Rau
My brother and I stopped in on Decemer 29th to see Cynthia and learned she was very ill. My mother, Margaret Dorr, loved The Peach Tree when her and my father lived in Fredricksburg during the 1980's. My father, Melvin, passed away in 1998 but my mother is still living. We told her we stopped by and she was very sad hear that Cynthia was ill. She wanted Cynthia to know she was thinking of her and saying a prayer too. Not sure if Cynthia remembers my mother or not but my mother has very fond memories of Cynthia and Hector.
Hector and family, I was so sorry to hear about Cynthia. I had the privilage of being on the cook team with her on ACTS Retreats a couple of times. What an inspiration she was to me. I had been diagnosed with Breast cancer and was also going through changes. I maintained a positive attitude and your mom 's encouragment made me a better person. She was a special lady!! Carlos and I want to express our sincere condolences and if there is anything Carlos and I can do, please do not hesitate to call on us. Carlos and Martha Juenke
From this blessed video, I see the same woman I met in 1975. Elegant, smart, funny, and caring. Strong partner, loving mother, crackerjack businesswoman. True Christian. Inventor of Texas tastes. Artist. Beauty. Civic leader. Cynthia filled her roles with dignity and grace, and inspired others by how fully she gave herself to life, even in the hard times. Although she wasn't that much older than I am, Cynthia was who I wanted to be when I grew up. I'm grateful for shining memories and for the treasured recipes Cynthia gave my family's table. It was an honor to know her.
We owned a farm near Stonewall since 1972. In 1998 we sold it and moved to a hilltop west of FBG. We have been in and around FBG for over thirty years. We began to frequent the Peachtree as soon as it opened. My Mother & Father lived in FBG since 1978, moving there from Odessa to be near my family and their grandchildren. Mother loved the Peachtree and everyone in the family loved Cynthia and Hector. We ate there as often as our waistlines would permit. The desserts were always irrisistible. Mother & Dad had to move to SA to The Inn at Los Patios in 2007 and Mother died recently at age 99. Dad survives her at almost 102. They had been married 77 years. Everytime we came to FBG with them, they insisted on going to the Peachtree (didn't have to "insist" too hard - everyone wanted to). We miss Cynthia and wish Hector many happy years yet in a most productive happy family life!