Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Saying Good-bye to 2015 and other musings
Merry Christmas all! I truly cannot believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve, where does the time go? Today was my Mother's 84th birthday. I'm so grateful to have both she and my Dad...and even more I'm so grateful and blessed that they're still healthy and happy and surrounded by great friends. Michael and Jenny arrived in MN today. I can't even begin to explain how much I miss Mike...so much some days that it literally hurts. I also very much miss Jenny...I love her so much too! But for anyone that's a Mother out there you can completely understand. Being a Mom is forever wearing your heart on your sleeve. I can't wait to wrap my arms around him! I'm so blessed to have a son like Mike...and I'm equally blessed that he's brought Jenny into our lives! Don feels exactly as I do.
The past few months have been challenging to put it mildly. My fatigue and pain both skyrocketed and I was really struggling. After scans, numerous blood tests and seeing both my new onc and my primary Dr we believe we have a handle on things. I'll try to give you the Readers Digest version. As some of you may know, in addition to cancer I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA for short). RA is extremely painful unless treated because in basic terms it eats away your joints. Prior to My Cancer diagnosis I saw a specialist for my RA and took medication for the disease. It kept both the pain & the inflammation down. Once I was diagnosed stage IV I could no longer take that medication, or any others that are prescribed for RA. Why? There's a chance that they cause cancer, and for me it could make my cancer progress very quickly! Additionally, I have three very bad lower discs in my back causing extreme pain as well as residual pain from the Cancer lesions on my spine. I was already prescribed the Fentynal Pain Patch...which delivers a steady dose of pain medication and is changed every 72 hours. But I was still having a lot of breakthrough pain. My oncologist has added Dilaudid to the mix (which is taking some getting used to, but is helping!). We are optimistic that this combination will finally keep the pain at a tolerable level!
On to the fatigue...one of the blood tests they ran was my Thyroid, for which I already take medication due to hypothyroidism. Frighteningly my numbers were so out of whack, my body literally wanted to sleep approximately 18 or more hours per day. I still suffer from fatigue and take a nap each day and sleep 10-12 hours at night but the difference is now that they've tweeked that med when I wake up I'm actually awake! Before I'd wake up and go to our couch and fall fast asleep...it was terrifying. So that is what's been going on for the past three months.
I'm very grateful to my medical team! As I said earlier I have a new oncologist, my dear Dr Hauge has retired. I must say I was so sad to see him leave and even a bit scared. When your life is in a Drs hands...literally...and you see him every three months, and you've built not only a bond but complete trust it's VERY hard to say good-bye. But I must tell you, he highly recommended my current onc...Dr. Jurgens...and he was spot on! He's really outstanding. So easy to talk to, very compassionate, doesn't make you feel rushed, great sense of humor and very intelligent. Added bonus, he's a friend of my primary physician who I've had for years, and I trust and adore her completely so all is good!
So I think that brings everyone up to date. We are fortunate to have six guests for Christmas dinner. Just the right amount in my mind! Enough for great laughter and conversation, but not so many that anyone feels left out! To those of you that have lost a loved one this year...whether it's from cancer Or something else, my thoughts and prayers are always with you...but even more so during this time of year. Jerry, Greg, Kirstin, Linda, Vicki, Aunt Wanda, Tommy, David, the entire Austreng Family, Sue, Wayne, Karen, Ruth I want you to know that you all hold a very special place in my heart...your losses have been great and I truly share your sorrow.
With that I will leave you with...
"A Merry Christmas to All, and to All a good night!"
Love, Kathy xoxoxo
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Some Dates Stick with us Forever!
Although it's been awhile, I'm still here. So much has been going on that I decided to go on "Blog Hiatus" for six months. That's my story & I'm sticking to it! I've missed writing. But I also fight almost constant fatique which somedays makes doing anything other than taking a shower impossible. At one time or another I truly believe that everyone has said something to the effect " I'm bone tired. " or " I'm so tired I can't move. " or " I've never been this tired before. "...I think you get the idea. Now, imagine that feeling all day, every day, for weeks or months on end X fifty! That's fatigue! You can sleep a solid 9-hours and awaken exhausted. You must take a nap or you're falling asleep during dinner. I would venture a guess that 75% of the women I know with stage IV Cancer suffer from fatique. It's the #1 reason that we can no longer work, and it DEFINITELY differs from being tired! 😟 That's today's lesson, and is a really big part of why I had to go on hiatus for a while.
Now, on to the topic dejour! I don't know about you, but there have been certain dates over the course of my life that are indelibly etched in my mind. Some for obvious reasons, such as my birthday, which is in my opinion a very good date (!) some are horrid dates but definitely etched...such as 9/11! Others have deep meaning to me and those close to me...Michael's (my son) date of birth, the day Don and I were married, Don's birthday...ok you get it. Some dates I'd just as soon forget...the day I broke my wrist, the day I was rear-ended by a semi truck, the day Michael moved to MPLS, Chicago, NYC (😊 ok, I admit all of his moves have taken some getting used to for me!) , but I do believe one of the top dates I'll never ever forget was that day in April...three years ago...that began so innocently and ended with me knowing that life would never be the same. Because at 930am that day in April I was told that I had Stage IV Breast Cancer. The Cancer that I thought was "cured" was back and had spread! Since that time I've had other dates come and go that were both good, bad, horrific and joyous. But friends, yesterday, October 21 at 830pm will be another date that is forever etched in my mind, for all the wrong reasons. I need to start from the beginning.
Three summers ago (2012) Don & I were at Leech Lake. We had the opportunity to meet a lovely couple, Jerry & Michelle Kleven. Jerry's parents were extremely close friends of my parents which is how we were introduced. It was a fun afternoon of laughter, sunshine, cocktails and friendship. It was only marred by the fact that Michelle was nervous about an upcoming cancer biopsy the following week. The two of us talked through that for some time, exchanged phone numbers and hugs, and she promised to contact me once she had her results. **On a side note, Michelle happened to be one of those lovely people that I was immediately drawn to! Her infectious laughter, her selflessness, her love of life were all things that I loved immediately!
Two weeks after our initial meeting I received a call from Michelle...her biopsy was positive for ovarian cancer (additionally she had many other complications that I won't get into!). As I was soon to learn, my new friend may have been terrified, but she was filled with optimism. We spoke for hours that day. We shared laughter and tears, and that day set the tone for a wonderful three year friendship!
Don and I were so blessed that they were able to come on the cruise that we took several years ago with my parents and Barb & Tom. Michelle had just finished chemo (little did we know she'd be having more!) so she was quite tired, but she was thrilled to be there! Sadly, that was the last time I was able to see her face to face. With me being unable to drive outside of Cold Spring, and her getting sicker and sicker, we relied on our phones. Boy did we log time on our cell phones! LOL! It's a good thing we both had unlimited minutes!
This past August (2015) we were both thrilled because it appeared that we would FINALLY get to spend time together. She & Jerry had rented a cabin on Leech Lake...not far from my parents. I arranged to go to the lake for the same week. We were both so excited, almost like children! Each time we spoke we'd laugh and giggle...oh my gosh we could hardly wait. Sadly, days before they were to head north, Michelle became very ill and had to be hospitalized. We were both devastated...we cried & cried. Deep down I think we both knew that would be our last chance to see each other. We never verbalized that however!
I didn't hear much from my sweet friend after that, until six weeks ago. I picked up my phone and she was crying on the other end. Her oncologist had just told her that it was only a matter of time...6-8 weeks. I will never be able to describe what it was like to hear her say those words. I'm not really sure what I said in response, except to tell her how much I love her, admire her and that only God knows when it's our time. For the first time ever we had a short conversation. I heard from her once more, although I wrote to her and spoke to her through prayer daily!
Which brings us to October 21, 2015. I received the call I've been dreading...Jerry called to tell me that Michelle passed peacefully at approximately 730pm. My head knows she's in a better place (!) but my heart is broken for all of us that loved her so dearly. Most importantly for her amazing and loving husband Jerry!
Thank you for letting me get this out, I really needed to do so to pay tribute to my friend! I love each of you and I will try much harder to be here on a more regular basis! As always, I ask that you keep my family in your prayers...especially Michael & Don.
With love always,
Kathy 💕💔
Pause
well October 21, 2015 is forever burned into my memory, for all the wrong reasons. For this evening, at approximately 730pm, my beautifully kind, loving, joyous, thoughtful, selfless friend...Michelle Kleven passed away from ovarian cancer. I will miss you very much sweet friend! Thank you for being you. I'm heartbroken! You were on this Earth for such a short period of time, you should have lived to be 100! I know that you are whole again, and finally out of pain.
Now, on to the topic dejour! I don't know about you, but there have been certain dates over the course of my life that are indelibly etched in my mind. Some for obvious reasons, such as my birthday, which is in my opinion a very good date (!) some are horrid dates but definitely etched...such as 9/11! Others have deep meaning to me and those close to me...Michael's (my son) date of birth, the day Don and I were married, Don's birthday...ok you get it. Some dates I'd just as soon forget...the day I broke my wrist, the day I was rear-ended by a semi truck, the day Michael moved to MPLS, Chicago, NYC (😊 ok, I admit all of his moves have taken some getting used to for me!) , but I do believe one of the top dates I'll never ever forget was that day in April...three years ago...that began so innocently and ended with me knowing that life would never be the same. Because at 930am that day in April I was told that I had Stage IV Breast Cancer. The Cancer that I thought was "cured" was back and had spread! Since that time I've had other dates come and go that were both good, bad, horrific and joyous. But friends, yesterday, October 21 at 830pm will be another date that is forever etched in my mind, for all the wrong reasons. I need to start from the beginning.
Three summers ago (2012) Don & I were at Leech Lake. We had the opportunity to meet a lovely couple, Jerry & Michelle Kleven. Jerry's parents were extremely close friends of my parents which is how we were introduced. It was a fun afternoon of laughter, sunshine, cocktails and friendship. It was only marred by the fact that Michelle was nervous about an upcoming cancer biopsy the following week. The two of us talked through that for some time, exchanged phone numbers and hugs, and she promised to contact me once she had her results. **On a side note, Michelle happened to be one of those lovely people that I was immediately drawn to! Her infectious laughter, her selflessness, her love of life were all things that I loved immediately!
Two weeks after our initial meeting I received a call from Michelle...her biopsy was positive for ovarian cancer (additionally she had many other complications that I won't get into!). As I was soon to learn, my new friend may have been terrified, but she was filled with optimism. We spoke for hours that day. We shared laughter and tears, and that day set the tone for a wonderful three year friendship!
Don and I were so blessed that they were able to come on the cruise that we took several years ago with my parents and Barb & Tom. Michelle had just finished chemo (little did we know she'd be having more!) so she was quite tired, but she was thrilled to be there! Sadly, that was the last time I was able to see her face to face. With me being unable to drive outside of Cold Spring, and her getting sicker and sicker, we relied on our phones. Boy did we log time on our cell phones! LOL! It's a good thing we both had unlimited minutes!
This past August (2015) we were both thrilled because it appeared that we would FINALLY get to spend time together. She & Jerry had rented a cabin on Leech Lake...not far from my parents. I arranged to go to the lake for the same week. We were both so excited, almost like children! Each time we spoke we'd laugh and giggle...oh my gosh we could hardly wait. Sadly, days before they were to head north, Michelle became very ill and had to be hospitalized. We were both devastated...we cried & cried. Deep down I think we both knew that would be our last chance to see each other. We never verbalized that however!
I didn't hear much from my sweet friend after that, until six weeks ago. I picked up my phone and she was crying on the other end. Her oncologist had just told her that it was only a matter of time...6-8 weeks. I will never be able to describe what it was like to hear her say those words. I'm not really sure what I said in response, except to tell her how much I love her, admire her and that only God knows when it's our time. For the first time ever we had a short conversation. I heard from her once more, although I wrote to her and spoke to her through prayer daily!
Which brings us to October 21, 2015. I received the call I've been dreading...Jerry called to tell me that Michelle passed peacefully at approximately 730pm. My head knows she's in a better place (!) but my heart is broken for all of us that loved her so dearly. Most importantly for her amazing and loving husband Jerry!
Thank you for letting me get this out, I really needed to do so to pay tribute to my friend! I love each of you and I will try much harder to be here on a more regular basis! As always, I ask that you keep my family in your prayers...especially Michael & Don.
With love always,
Kathy 💕💔
PauseThursday, April 30, 2015
I'm still here!
I feel as though I should apologize...it's been such a long time since I've blogged. But times sometimes just slips by so quickly and stuff occurs that makes it difficult for me to write for me to write, but I'm here and I'll try to catch you up on things ...and not take up to much of your time!
Part of the reason that I've had a difficult time writing is that I lost a dear friend to this damn disease recently! Sadly we never met in person, we met through an online support group, but we couldn't have been closer! She had a wonderfully wicked sense of humor, she cared deeply about animals (we loved talking about our furry family member), she cared deeply about family (and we all know that family is priority #1 for me!) and we took so much pride in talking about her daughters and my son! She was extremely smart and I felt very comfortable asking her questions about cancer since her journey started about a year before mine. We wrote to each other 3-5 times weekly and sometimes multiple times a day. As she got sicker she never complained...but she would tell me her tumor markers were going up, her Drs couldn't get things under control, she had no energy etc. but again...never complained and never told me how bad it was. But deep down I knew! I told her I couldn't bear to loose her...she promised I wouldn't ! Towards the end her emails were very short, and infrequent, so I contacted her daughter. Karen passed away the next day. I have lost to damn many lovely friends, acquaintances and others to this stupid disease that I almost can't stand it. The only thing that makes it bearable is my faith. I truly believe that Karen, Kym, Anita, Susan and all of the others are now together without pain in Heaven and that we will ALL meet someday! That is what sustains me.
Thank you for letting me get all of that out. It was a dark and sad time for me. I've just recently been able to rejoin my online support group...it was just to overwhelming without Karen. But thanks to several other great friends, and some time away, I'm able to move forward. That's what she would want. Karen...I will always miss you, you're one helluva lady! 💕
April 25, 2015 was my three year Cancervesary. Wow! Don and I let it pass with gratitude but no fanfare. My sweet sister Barb sent me the most beautiful and heartfelt note (love you BJ!). As I've said in the past these anniversaries are a mixed bag! On one hand I feel so fortunate...I'm here and all things considered doing pretty well! Three years ago I really didn't think I'd be here. On the other hand, I worry that I'm using up years. Yes I know...only God knows when our time is up...but cancer has a hand in my life expectancy so I think I have a right to feel that way. So please...don't argue with me ok?!
This brings me to everyone's question "How are you doing Kathy?" Well..There's no easy answer to that one unfortunately. But here goes. I have good days and bad days (don't you just hate that answer!). My Dr just increased my pain meds due to increased pain. I will see my oncologist at the end of May (my regular 3 month appointment) and I plan to request a new set of scans because of the pain. My blood work has never been accurate ie never tells us if my cancer is progressing or active...so scans are what I have to do. I suffer from extreme fatigue. I need to take naps almost daily (and believe me I would sleep all afternoon if I could!) and then go to bed at 9pm. I sleep until at least 10am each morning...sometimes later...so as you can see this is a huge issue. About 5 weeks ago I contracted pneumonia and was sick for weeks. I have virtually no immune system so any little bug can be catastrophic for me! The up side was that I didn't have to be hospitalized! I'd much rather have Don taking care of me. 😷
Now for something wonderful...
In between all of the shizzle, Don and I spent an extended weekend with Michael and Jenny in NYC. We stayed in an ornate B & B about two blocks from their apartment in Manhattan and had a spectacular time. They are excellent tour guides as well as the perfect host/hostess! It was exactly what both Don and I needed, not only a get-a-way but quality time with people we love so dearly! We look forward to our next visit!
I think that's about it. I ask you all for a special prayer request, my sister in law Trista 's MIL has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Treatment isn't an option so I ask that you pray for comfort for Anne Donnay and her entire family. Thank you!
As always, I thank each of you for your love and support...it means so much!
Kathy 💕💕
Part of the reason that I've had a difficult time writing is that I lost a dear friend to this damn disease recently! Sadly we never met in person, we met through an online support group, but we couldn't have been closer! She had a wonderfully wicked sense of humor, she cared deeply about animals (we loved talking about our furry family member), she cared deeply about family (and we all know that family is priority #1 for me!) and we took so much pride in talking about her daughters and my son! She was extremely smart and I felt very comfortable asking her questions about cancer since her journey started about a year before mine. We wrote to each other 3-5 times weekly and sometimes multiple times a day. As she got sicker she never complained...but she would tell me her tumor markers were going up, her Drs couldn't get things under control, she had no energy etc. but again...never complained and never told me how bad it was. But deep down I knew! I told her I couldn't bear to loose her...she promised I wouldn't ! Towards the end her emails were very short, and infrequent, so I contacted her daughter. Karen passed away the next day. I have lost to damn many lovely friends, acquaintances and others to this stupid disease that I almost can't stand it. The only thing that makes it bearable is my faith. I truly believe that Karen, Kym, Anita, Susan and all of the others are now together without pain in Heaven and that we will ALL meet someday! That is what sustains me.
Thank you for letting me get all of that out. It was a dark and sad time for me. I've just recently been able to rejoin my online support group...it was just to overwhelming without Karen. But thanks to several other great friends, and some time away, I'm able to move forward. That's what she would want. Karen...I will always miss you, you're one helluva lady! 💕
April 25, 2015 was my three year Cancervesary. Wow! Don and I let it pass with gratitude but no fanfare. My sweet sister Barb sent me the most beautiful and heartfelt note (love you BJ!). As I've said in the past these anniversaries are a mixed bag! On one hand I feel so fortunate...I'm here and all things considered doing pretty well! Three years ago I really didn't think I'd be here. On the other hand, I worry that I'm using up years. Yes I know...only God knows when our time is up...but cancer has a hand in my life expectancy so I think I have a right to feel that way. So please...don't argue with me ok?!
This brings me to everyone's question "How are you doing Kathy?" Well..There's no easy answer to that one unfortunately. But here goes. I have good days and bad days (don't you just hate that answer!). My Dr just increased my pain meds due to increased pain. I will see my oncologist at the end of May (my regular 3 month appointment) and I plan to request a new set of scans because of the pain. My blood work has never been accurate ie never tells us if my cancer is progressing or active...so scans are what I have to do. I suffer from extreme fatigue. I need to take naps almost daily (and believe me I would sleep all afternoon if I could!) and then go to bed at 9pm. I sleep until at least 10am each morning...sometimes later...so as you can see this is a huge issue. About 5 weeks ago I contracted pneumonia and was sick for weeks. I have virtually no immune system so any little bug can be catastrophic for me! The up side was that I didn't have to be hospitalized! I'd much rather have Don taking care of me. 😷
Now for something wonderful...
In between all of the shizzle, Don and I spent an extended weekend with Michael and Jenny in NYC. We stayed in an ornate B & B about two blocks from their apartment in Manhattan and had a spectacular time. They are excellent tour guides as well as the perfect host/hostess! It was exactly what both Don and I needed, not only a get-a-way but quality time with people we love so dearly! We look forward to our next visit!
I think that's about it. I ask you all for a special prayer request, my sister in law Trista 's MIL has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Treatment isn't an option so I ask that you pray for comfort for Anne Donnay and her entire family. Thank you!
As always, I thank each of you for your love and support...it means so much!
Kathy 💕💕
Friday, January 2, 2015
We've made it...welcome 2015!
Happy New Year! In the past i.e. before cancer... I was rather ambivalent regarding the passing of each year. To me it was a time to make resolutions, that were rarely kept 😉...a time to party, or when I was in sales a time to finish out my year end quotas! Oh the stress! Now, I view the passage of each new year very differently and on a number of levels.
On one level, at least, I'm not unhappy to say good-bye to 2014! I lost a large number of friends to MBC and that made it a difficult year. Good bye my angels...Kym, Anita, Susan, Timarie, Franny, Barbara, Vicki and Dorivee . Each of you are deeply missed and made a huge contribution in this world...as well as left a huge mark on my heart! I will always miss you! It was also the year that my Donnie had to endure cancer surgery, something I never wanted him to have to go through! But, there were also some beautiful moments too! Spending time with my SIL Mary Lou who visited from Switzerland. She brings such calm to my heart. I love you Mary Lou!!! Having my beautiful son and his lovely girlfriend here for Thanksgiving and then again to spend Christmas in FL with them was a dream come true. Words cannot describe what they mean to me and what great joy they bring into my life! Seeing them flourish in NYC also brings me such happiness, and I will always equate 2014 with that. I love you both more than you can imagine!!! Don and I saw the grand beauty of The Badlands together, visited Crazy Horse and Mt Rushmore...something I'd dreamt about doing forever. We spent time at the lake creating memories...with and without my mom and dad. We loved making memories with Barb and Tom, and just enjoyed quiet evenings together on the deck of our new home with our Piper!
But...I no longer have a problem saying good-bye to the old year like I did in my younger years. Yes I get twinges of fear...fear of what will happen THIS year. I am all too aware that with my disease things can change at any moment! I've seen it happen all too many times. I've been so fortunate to remain stable on my second AI (anti hormonal drug) for two years next month. That won't go on forever...I know that. Will this be the year that things change, that rapid progressive occurs? I try not to agonize over it believe me, but the thoughts are always there, in the back of my mind. I've gotten quite used to being stable (actually a tad spoiled really) and although I have a number of side effects...if things stayed the way they are I'd be happy. Ahhh, if only we were the ones in charge, right!? But I digress. I do look forward to the new year for a number of reasons...
* Don and I are thrilled to be going to NYC in April to visit Mike & Jenny!
* Summer will once again return to MN and my parents will be here and we can enjoy lake life to its fullest!
* The promise of new adventures and experiences always await at the begging of a new year, and don't we all love a blank slate such as that!
I know that I haven't been writing much as of late. I can only do so when the words seem to flow so I hope you understand. I do want to share that our 2014 Christmas was one of the best we've ever had! My wonderful parents gathered all of us in The Villages, FL to spend the holiday together. Mike, Jenny, Barb, Tom, Aimee, Jack, Kim, Greg, Matt, Megan, Don and me...such laughter, pure joy yes some tears, ( we are Maroney's and rather sappy!) it was a week that I know I will cherish forever! I thank you Mother and Daddy with all my heart. It had been 22 years since my sisters and I had ALL been together for Christmas! It had been 13 years since Barb and I had spent Christmas with my parents...in other words, since Don and I have been married we've never enjoyed Christmas with Mother and Daddy! Talk about special...I'm so grateful!
I'm equally grateful for all of you. I would like to thank my two BILs Bill and Mike...they did so much for us while Don was recuperating after surgery and Bill was a Godsend and housesat and took care of Piper while we were in FL. thank you so very much! No one can make this journey called life alone...NO ONE! Whether you're sick or healthy! Whether you're on the giving or receiving end of things it takes many people...and so as I close this blog, I encourage you to please, please get out and help somebody's journey. You will never know what a difference it will make for both of you.
With love and friendship and a very Happy New Year...
Kathy xoxo 💝
On one level, at least, I'm not unhappy to say good-bye to 2014! I lost a large number of friends to MBC and that made it a difficult year. Good bye my angels...Kym, Anita, Susan, Timarie, Franny, Barbara, Vicki and Dorivee . Each of you are deeply missed and made a huge contribution in this world...as well as left a huge mark on my heart! I will always miss you! It was also the year that my Donnie had to endure cancer surgery, something I never wanted him to have to go through! But, there were also some beautiful moments too! Spending time with my SIL Mary Lou who visited from Switzerland. She brings such calm to my heart. I love you Mary Lou!!! Having my beautiful son and his lovely girlfriend here for Thanksgiving and then again to spend Christmas in FL with them was a dream come true. Words cannot describe what they mean to me and what great joy they bring into my life! Seeing them flourish in NYC also brings me such happiness, and I will always equate 2014 with that. I love you both more than you can imagine!!! Don and I saw the grand beauty of The Badlands together, visited Crazy Horse and Mt Rushmore...something I'd dreamt about doing forever. We spent time at the lake creating memories...with and without my mom and dad. We loved making memories with Barb and Tom, and just enjoyed quiet evenings together on the deck of our new home with our Piper!
But...I no longer have a problem saying good-bye to the old year like I did in my younger years. Yes I get twinges of fear...fear of what will happen THIS year. I am all too aware that with my disease things can change at any moment! I've seen it happen all too many times. I've been so fortunate to remain stable on my second AI (anti hormonal drug) for two years next month. That won't go on forever...I know that. Will this be the year that things change, that rapid progressive occurs? I try not to agonize over it believe me, but the thoughts are always there, in the back of my mind. I've gotten quite used to being stable (actually a tad spoiled really) and although I have a number of side effects...if things stayed the way they are I'd be happy. Ahhh, if only we were the ones in charge, right!? But I digress. I do look forward to the new year for a number of reasons...
* Don and I are thrilled to be going to NYC in April to visit Mike & Jenny!
* Summer will once again return to MN and my parents will be here and we can enjoy lake life to its fullest!
* The promise of new adventures and experiences always await at the begging of a new year, and don't we all love a blank slate such as that!
I know that I haven't been writing much as of late. I can only do so when the words seem to flow so I hope you understand. I do want to share that our 2014 Christmas was one of the best we've ever had! My wonderful parents gathered all of us in The Villages, FL to spend the holiday together. Mike, Jenny, Barb, Tom, Aimee, Jack, Kim, Greg, Matt, Megan, Don and me...such laughter, pure joy yes some tears, ( we are Maroney's and rather sappy!) it was a week that I know I will cherish forever! I thank you Mother and Daddy with all my heart. It had been 22 years since my sisters and I had ALL been together for Christmas! It had been 13 years since Barb and I had spent Christmas with my parents...in other words, since Don and I have been married we've never enjoyed Christmas with Mother and Daddy! Talk about special...I'm so grateful!
I'm equally grateful for all of you. I would like to thank my two BILs Bill and Mike...they did so much for us while Don was recuperating after surgery and Bill was a Godsend and housesat and took care of Piper while we were in FL. thank you so very much! No one can make this journey called life alone...NO ONE! Whether you're sick or healthy! Whether you're on the giving or receiving end of things it takes many people...and so as I close this blog, I encourage you to please, please get out and help somebody's journey. You will never know what a difference it will make for both of you.
With love and friendship and a very Happy New Year...
Kathy xoxo 💝
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