David and I were invited to the
Moyer Foundation Luncheon/benefit this year, as the guests of the
Hutch School. David was a student at the Hutch School during his 9th grade year, when Katie was in the hospital having her treatment for cancer. We love that school and its staff, and we appreciate all that they did for both David and Katie during the year of 2006-7. They were both blessed by their time at the Hutch (Katie attended in April, May and part of June). The Moyer Foundation supports the Hutch School.
If you would like to know how you can help the Hutch School, please visit the website and check out their WISH LIST and volunteer opportunities.
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| David's Hutch School photo, October 2006 |
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| David & Katie with Hutch School Staff, June 2007 |
You may recall that last year,
I was the speaker for this event. It was fun to be in the audience this year - far more relaxing for me - and it was a treat to have David with me. The staff of the Hutch School were terribly happy to see David. It has been at least two years since we went back for a visit, and he has obviously changed quite a bit. They sat next to him at the table and chatted before the program began.
The Moyers are a kind and compassionate couple. They are generous, with strong faith and values. They believe in using their gifts to help children in distress, and they practice their beliefs. They are expanding their foundation, and we learned more about what they are doing during their presentations. You can find out more by visiting their
website or
facebook page.
It filled my heart to see my son, healthy and happy, visiting with the good people who helped him to cope with his sister's illness and the upheaval to our family's life during that horribly stressful time in our lives. It was a pleasure to introduce him to the Moyers, who kindly took a few moments with us. It moved me to tears to realize that we would not be there, expanding our understanding of children in crisis and those who use their power for good, if it hadn't been for Katie and her cancer journey. I would rather have my daughter back than know any of it - of course I would - but that was not given to us. In spite of that fact, I am aware of all that Katie's path has done to enlighten, broaden and change ours. I owe her so much for opening my eyes and my heart.
Thank you, Hutch School, for all you do every day for children in distress!
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| Ann Marie, Katie & classmates at the Hutch, Spring 2007 |
Thank you, Jamie & Karen Moyer for your support of the Hutch School, and the many other ways that you care for children in our communities.
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| Jamie Moyer, Karen Gberger & Karen Moyer, 2010 |
P.S. - We saw
the ring (
"World Series rings are notoriously showy. They are meant to be seen and admired, if not for their actual appearance, then for their meaning. Each ring for last year`s Phillies championship was made of 14-karat white gold and held 103 diamonds (one for each of the team`s regular-season wins). The left side of the ring was personalized with the player`s name above the Phillies` Liberty Bell logo. The right side showed a World Series trophy shooting out of a tiny rendition of Citizens Bank Park, and the face of ring contained a ruby inlay and the famous Phillies "P" in more diamonds"). It's flashier and bigger than I would ever have believed, if I hadn't seen it myself, up close. It's hard for me to imagine that a man would want to wear something so BLINGY, except for what it symbolizes in the baseball world. I wonder who designed it! To read more, click
here.
6 comments:
Yes Karen, Katie's cancer journey led you down a path that was not one of your choosing, but YOU chose to open your eyes and heart when others in your shoes may have turned inward. You could have chosen a path of anger and resentment, but instead you continue to move forward while carrying Katie's shining spirit. Thank you for doing so. You set a fine example.
xo
Thank you for telling us more about this organization and these admirable people. I am interested in how David coped with everything during that terrible year. I know that there was major upheaval, but how did you talk to him? What was his awareness of what was going on and how did he deal with it all?
Thank you, Mary. I see you doing something similar in Erin's memory.
Elizabeth, I will send you an email about this - it's too long for a comment. Thank you for asking.
I'm glad you could revisit the school and take David. And enjoy a much more relaxed visit this time. I love your outfit. You always look stunning in everything! : )
What a ring. Gaww-deee. LOL
"It's hard for me to imagine that a man would want to wear something so BLINGY"
Darling, it is hard for me to imagine any woman with a gram of good taste wanting to wear anything as blingy!
What a wonderful experience for David to share such a celebration of love and compassion, caring and showing that even when we think that we are alone in the world for a single moment, there is a hug and a smile to see us through the darkness. The Moyer Foundation does an incredible and mostly quiet work, I have never found them seeking publicity and perhaps they should, as the services they provide are invaluable.
And they could not have chosen a better ambassador to let us know about the light they shine than you, my dearest. I love you for many reasons but your generous and compassionate heart is a bright light showing many of us how to turn despair into hope. I am so grateful our path have crossed.
I am so excited that you got to meet the Moyers. Aside from being a huge Phillies phan, I am also a huge Jamie Moyer fan... They do wonderful things and have made such a difference in so many people's lives. I am always in awe of your journey from Katie's diagnosis, to the tremendous loss of Katie, to finding yourself again and honoring Katie's memory. ))hugs((
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