Thank You all for your lovely, kind-hearted, gentle, generous words to us on Katie's birthday. It was a lovely bouquet of gifts for me, to read your comments here. It made the day a brighter one for me.
Our former neighbor, a sweet, dear man of just 47 years of age, passed away on Saturday. He was killed instantly while falling a tree. He was a devoted and loving father to his two children, a kind & solid citizen, and he will be missed I've been shedding tears for him and his family.
Last night, our internet, phone & TV weren't working due to a fire somewhere in the county, so I just learned today that my beloved blogger friend, Renee of Circling My Head has passed away. It wasn't unexpected, as she has had stage IV inflammatory breast cancer (I refuse to capitalize cancer's titles) for some time, but it is still a tragic and enormous loss to her family, friends and the community. I am thankful that her suffering is over. Renee taught me a great deal about living honestly, openly, vibrantly, passionately and lovingly with cancer. She is a shining light, and I will now look for her among the stars. But I will miss her fabulous posts and artwork, and her uplifting and loving comments here. I hope her family will publish her blog as a book someday. Been shedding tears over Renee, too.
The good news is that Smileygirl came over for a visit yesterday, and we took her to one of our favorite pubs for dinner and a great beer. She also got a cute t-shirt there. Then she spent the night in Katie's room, while Latte & Liger purred and gave her a lot of love. We let them out of their usual sleeping quarters so they could bunk with Laura (at her request), and that seemed to go pretty well. (Please don't tell Chumley - though he may be able to sense that she's been with some other guys. Cats are sensitive like that.) We also did a little pinning and sewing of quilts for Katie's Comforters this morning.
Another piece of good news is that a kind and generous Camp Goodtimes Staffer, a.k.a. NEON, made a beautiful 8-and-a-half-minute slideshow of Katie's life, as a birthday gift. What a sweet woman. She never got to meet Katie, but she knows about her; how about that for kindness and generosity? That's just one reason why we love and appreciate Camp Goodtimes West so much. Thank you, Stephanie!
Tomorrow, I am going to a meeting with some folks from Seattle Children's Hospital's Guild Association to plan for September (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month).
*Ahem* Did you hear me?
The hospital is already planning - in March - for September.
I love that hospital! Talk about caring and pro-active!
Breast cancer's pink ribbons are everywhere; Livestrong bands are everywhere. Where is the GOLD for KIDS? That's what we are going to work on.
You all know what next week is, don't you? That's right: the Hope and Empowerment Event in Indianapolis, with a screening of the movie, "Letters to God." Since I'm a female, I am already thinking about what to wear, and if I can get my legs to look tan enough in the next week to skip wearing hose. The tanning lotion I'm using is not cutting it. Any suggestions?
16 comments:
Death, in all its forms, really hurts. It is so difficult to say goodbye to those we love. Some losses are especially heart-breaking because we know how those left behind will suffer. You and your friends are in my thoughts and prayers. And I am so eager to hear how your Indianapolis trip goes, and will keep you in prayer for all of that as well.
Wow, you're not kidding, that's a LOT of stuff squeezed into half a week! ;-)
I'm so jealous that you got to spend the night with my Smileygirl. I'll bet it was a blast.
Karen,
I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to Katie - such a beautiful little girl. Your posts had me in tears, and I loved the little video. Katie reminds me so much of my Caroline. Living without our beautiful girls is so hard. I completely understand how much you miss Katie, because I miss Caroline that much, too.
Carol Herrmann
www.caringbridge.org/visit/carolineh
So sorry about Renee. Lots of sadness this week for sure.
So it was a fire that was causing the phone/internet and cable to act up? How is your smoke alarm today? I wonder if your smoke alarm was giving you advanced warning of an upcoming fire??
Ok obviously that pic was before I had my coffee cuz my eyes look half baked. No wonder my sewing was cockeyed!
Miss you guys, including my furry lovers.
I swear, this link should work!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toeLSDlljQk
You're amazing, Karen. I can't wait to meet you in person one of these days. :)
I am so sad to read about Renee and Tad. Such huge losses...it never gets easy does it? nope.
I am glad that you had some good news too...No, we won't let Chumley know he was practically cheated on. :)
I like the jergens tanning lotion/cream. It doesn't make me real TAN, but it helps blend in some of my pretty veins.
Still considering just making my legs blue from top to bottom. That will look good right.
The hospital is on the ball with the planning. That is awesome!!!
hugs to you.
Suz
So beautiful were your happy birthday wishes to Katie!
So sad to hear of Renne's death. She died on my 50th birthday and that was meaningful to me. I will never forget her.
Thanks for continuing to write. Hope next week goes well.
I didn't know Renee had passed. What a loss!
I also didn't know it was your Katie's birthday. What a light, what a beautiful, intelligent soulful girl you brought into this world and loved.
Happy Birthday to her.
And love to you.
It's so weird to think that Renee is not here anymore and that her blog just sits there, filled with all her words and art. And not having her voice as a comment on my own...it's just so sad. I feel for her family, most of all, and all that they've lost.
I couldn't write it here, but I'd forego the hose. Do people still wear hose? Clearly I've been living in LA for too long. Just let your natural legs be, and I bet they're gorgeous anyway!
I'm so sorry you've been hit with so much of late. It is never easy but sometimes it's overwhelming when it comes all at once. I'm glad you've had some bright spots in the middle of all of this. Praying for you friend, as you navigate the days ahead.
Very cool about the planning at the hospital. Love that! : )
May Renee and Ted rest in peace. I've read most of Renee's blog based on links from yours. What a tremendous loss for our world, and an even greater one for her family. I love her posts about Wahid, their inter-ethnic love story hit home with me. Her daughter's tribute is amazing.
I'm glad you have uplifting events to look forward to. I don't wear hose, no one really does in SoCal. I don't use any self tanner or anything, but my sister lightly brushes her legs with the same bronzer she uses on her face and neck, after the lotion dries thoroughly. It looks very, very pretty, very natural & shimmery. Maybe you can give that a try?
What Elizabeth said about the hose!!!!!!
I know both you and she posted about Renee, and I did stop by her blog a few times. It was too hard for me to read, and am now sorry to hear of her passing.
Glad to see Smileygirl came for a visit! I'm sure it was a good time.
Wish I could view the slideshow! Ask Ang to ask Rebecca LeRoy if her company has any tanning product. If not I love the one that my sister's (Sheri Schmdit) old neighbor Ellen Ulrich sells... she'll know who i am talking about! It really works well and does not turn your orange! Happy belated 15th Katie!
I have shed tears over Renee for a long time, but I am happy she is finally at peace. I am praying for her darling children now.
I hope there is a space you can be to feel comfort and peace with the great losses you have experienced. Your 'voice' has given me courage to express my own. As always I am sorry about your beautiful Katie. I am thinking about you and your friends... and praying. I'm glad you have the opportunity to let more hear your strength and be comforted by your words in Indianapolis.
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