A sad day...

Today was a very difficult day for me.  I attended the funeral of a longtime family friend.  He was 84 years old when he passed, and had lived a wonderful and full life.

This kind man and his wife were very good friends of my parents.  I knew him for as long as I could remember.  His children were only a few years older than me...although sadly both of them passed away several years ago.   This lovely man was also my band director in Junior High School.  He and his wife were members of First Presbyterian Church, and he directed the Chancel choir that Mom was a member of for many years...and I sang with for several years.  His wife is a PEO, just like my Mom, my sisters and me.

Now at 54 I've attended my share of funerals!  Family, co-workers, children, friends, acquaintances, to name just a few.  But today this one hit me very hard!  Perhaps it's because I saw a number of people from my past who meant a great deal to me.  Perhaps it was because this person was such a huge reminder of my youth...a simpler time in life.  Perhaps it was the fact that I found out that his wife could not be there today due to Alzheimer's or perhaps it was because I face my mortality on a daily basis and that really hit me today.  Whatever it was its been a tremendously sad and difficult day for me.  One of those that I'm very grateful for my strong support network!

Thank you Mr. Bense for being a positive influence in my life.  You will never be forgotten...God Bless you!

Kathy xoxo

A Tribute to my Husband Don!

On a daily basis I am thankful for my amazing husband Donnie.  As most of you know we celebrated our 8th anniversary on May 7. Hard to believe but during most of our marriage cancer has been a part of our lives.  Yet my Donnie never wavers.  He stands by me and cheers me on the same way he did when we first met and I was healthy.  Talk about taking those "in sickness and in health" vows to heart!

I can't really imagine what it must be like for Don.  Don't get me wrong, I know it's not easy for any of my family members...my son lives with the fact that his mom has incurable cancer, which is something NO 25 year old should have to deal with!  My parents have to see their daughter feel like crap, use a cane, cry from pain etc etc...and my beloved sisters see/hear all this and more.  But Don...he gets the pleasure (insert sarcasm here!) of seeing all of that plus oh so much more!!!

Don also gets to see the melt downs, the extreme fatigue, attend Drs appointments, pay for all of the appointments (and tests, scans meds etc).  He sees the side effects from the meds, my fears...and he worries...and worries...and worries!

And with all of this he never complains.  He loves me, spoils me, is helping me work on my bucket list...he's making my dreams come true.  He loves my son, my parents and my sisters and everyday he assures me that he loves me.

I know that I am very blessed and very fortunate.  Not everyone would be able to take this on like Don has.  It's a roller coaster ride that never ends, and believe me it's not an enjoyable ride!  People are so kind to ask about and pray for me...but please remember my Donnie...my caregiver...my rock.

Thank you for taking the time to read this...it was really important for me to say these things.  I am eternally grateful for all of the support that I'm receiving.

Blessings, Kathy xoxo