…from your arm, mom, will your whole body turn into one big lump? Like if it just keeps getting bigger and bigger?”

Serious question from a four year old about my surgery tomorrow morning to remove a lipoma from my arm.

“No, my whole body won’t turn into a lump. But, it does need to be removed before it gets any bigger.” I’ve had this aberration on my arm since I was sixteen. It’s not pretty. It’s on the inside of my right arm, at the bend.

“Are you scared to have the doctor cut off your arm?”

“Heh.. he’s just going to take off the lump, not my whole arm. Yes, I’m a little scared.”

“Don’t be scared, mom, God is with you all the time.” (Why can’t he remember this at bedtime?)

“Thanks for reminding me. Even mommies need to be reminded. You can pray for me tomorrow while I’m at the doctors.”

“Can Mrs. Collins help me pray?”

“Yes, Thomas.”

“Can I kiss the lump?”

I extend my arm. He looks at it, wrinkles his nose and kisses the lump.

“Thanks Thomas… nothing like a preemptive kiss. Feels better already.”

I scrub my knuckles over his freshly buzzed head.

“HEY, MOM!!!”

“I love you, Thomas.”

“I love you, too, Mom…” (Sounds like “Awe, shucks!”)

“Mom, if you need help getting a drink of water when your lump is cut off I can help you.”

“Thats very thoughtful of you, thanks. Go to sleep, Thomas.”

“GRRRrrr.”