Rodeo and cancer

My friend Linda and her husband, Terry, got us free tickets to the Houston Rodeo this year. We got Sheryl Crow tickets, but about a week ago, Crow canceled because she was diagnosed with breast cancer. So rocker Melissa Etheridge stepped in to take her place. Etheridge is a breast cancer survivor, herself, and still sports a close-cropped haircut since her chemotherapy. She's become something of a voice -- rocking, bluesy and raspy as it is -- for cancer survival. She's written a song that has anthem potential called "Run for Life" or something. All I knew about Melissa Etheridge before today was she was a pretty kick-ass rocker, a lesbian who got David Crosby to donate sperm for her child with her lover. There was lots of pink everywhere. On the horses, even.

Tonight was one of those strange times when juxtaposition ironies rule. I'm going to this concert with Linda, who survived colon cancer a couple of years ago. My husband, a cancer survivor for four years, is driving us there. On the way, Mom calls to tell me my Uncle Denny was diagnosed yesterday with cancer. Etheridge spoke honestly about cancer. Said not to fear it.

And she rocked out. Incredible. It was one of those rare performances that hits you on several levels. And the audience seemed a little closer because of the cancer stuff, but also because we all felt kind of lucky that we got to see her through this strange twist of circumstances.

It was wonderful.