Rest In Peace, Lana

A while back I shared with you a great organization called Chemo Angels. They are a volunteer organization dedicated to providing encouragement to those undergoing IV chemo treatment. It doesn’t take much time or money to participate and according to Lana and countless other patients, it makes a huge difference in their lives. She once told me that my cards often seemed to come at a time when she needed some cheering up and that they always seemed to do the trick. That just makes my heart swell and my eyes tear up a little because it just plain feels good to know that you’re truly brightening someone’s day and especially at a time when that person needs it the most. If you’re interested in learning more, please go to the Chemo Angels website and sign up. It takes several weeks to get paired and you’re even able to request that your patient be within a certain age group or gender. You’ll have plenty of time to stock up on cards and/or little gifts depending on which type of “angel” you’d like to be.

I applied to be a “Chemo Card Angel” last August and they assigned me a wonderful woman named Lana. Unfortunately, she had recently been diagnosed with stage III/IV lung cancer. Shortly after I started writing her, we became Facebook friends and she started reading this blog, even commenting from time to time. I wrote to her once a week and mostly talked about Haeden. I sometimes sent pictures and even a gift from time to time. You might remember that she was the inspiration for this print:

I had not heard from her for a couple of months. The last bit of information I received about her said that she had started a combination of chemo and radiation therapy. Her posting on Facebook became very sparse and I knew that her health must have been declining rather quickly. I received an email this morning informing me that she had passed away. This is part of the note sent by her daughter:

"It is with a heavy heart that I inform you, and them, that she passed away on May 15th. She was comfortable and loved and surrounded by family and friends when she did. She is in a better place now though. Thank you for making her happy."

Lana loved her children so much. I remember that in the questionnaire she filled out she bragged a little about her son, James, as he was her main caretaker. He also shared his birthday with Haeden and so I know that I will always remember them both on this day. Her daughter, Brandi, was in college and planned to graduate on Mother’s Day this year. That was Lana’s focus. She wanted to live long enough to see her daughter graduate. It looks like she got her wish and I’m so happy for that.

Rest in peace, Lana. I know that you will be missed and memories of you will be cherished forever by those who love you.

Happiness and Seesters

Why is it that the people that drive you the craziest are the ones you love the most? My sister and I are, for the most part, polar opposites. We were always pretty close growing up, but we fought like cats and dogs. She screamed her head off if I even set foot in her room and I... well, lets just say that on occasion I gave her reason to do so. Sometimes when I watch the Kardashian shows I think we're a lot like them --- only Robyn and I are pale, much less annoying and/or rich and, oh, I have no ass. ha! What I mean is, we totally bicker and fight all the time. Of course, we also make up like ten minutes later.

Usually I only get to see my little sister about twice a year. Three times if I'm lucky. She lives a good 9 hours away and between every one's work and school schedules, it isn't always easy to plan around each other. Add a toddler and two step-kids into the mix and the chances of me actually visiting her have basically become non-existent. Would you believe that the hubs and I have been together for six years and he's never once been over to her neck of the woods? And me? I've only been there once during all of this time and only because I hitched a ride with my Mom. Pathetic, I know.

Family has always been incredibly important to me and yet I have let all of this time slip away. The distance between us sucks, and it's up to us not to let the physical distance become emotional as well. She has, year after year, done her part. I have always told myself that it's just easier for her to make the trips back and forth.  And to an extent, it is. But it's just not a good enough excuse and I've always known it. Each year I have promised to visit her and then subsequently broken that promise.

This year, however, will be different. I was originally planning a little weekend trip to Savannah for my birthday. That, however, has been scrapped in favor of taking the hubs and the H-monster to VA to see my sister and brother-in-law. I absolutely cannot wait. The drive is going to suck, yes. But the fun we'll have while there will be absolutely, positively worth it!
Two months to go, Robyn!

A 2 Year Old's Humor (Or 27, whichever)

My kid is funny. Case in point:

Haeden (in the car): My butts funny!

Dan: Your... butt?

Haeden: Yeah! My butt made funny noise! My butt seeeeelly (silly)!

I think friends and family would agree, the kid clearly has my sense of humor.

Embrace the Camera: June 2nd

I have a confession to make. We live 15 minutes from the beach and this past weekend was the first time we've spent any real amount of time at the beach since Haeden has been born. We've taken several walks with him and gone specifically for picture taking, but never just had a day at the beach with him. I feel a little guilty for this. How can I live in Florida and not take advantage, right? You want to slap me, I know!

It's just... well, in my defense... look at my skin tone you guys! I am pale. Like, P-A-L-E! I have to be so incredibly careful not to burn that it does suck a little fun out of any outdoor experience. On a side note, I was really hoping all of these popular vampire movies would make pale the new tan. So far it doesn't seem to be catching on though...

The good news is that after all of the fun we had over the weekend, we decided to buy a canopy and a beach cart. We're going to be regulars, minus the tan (unfortunately) and sun damage (yay)!