Hope Gala 6-2-12

Hope Gala 6-2-12

Yesterday was the Hope Gala a dinner and auction to raise money for the ACS as well as Camp Goodtimes.  It was at the Museum of Flight in Tukwila.  A beautiful place with good food and music.

Richard and his girlfriend Bee (Katherine) arrived at the house around 3:30 or 4:00.  We did the usual of ironing and fixing hair.  If only Kathryn were here to tell us where the bobby pins were hiding.  Bee and I looked everywhere and could not find them.  We know they are here somewhere.  We all road together to the Gala.  There were a lot of people from Camp Goodtimes there.  Leslie had worked hard to get sponsors to buy tables so she could invite people form camp. 

There was a silent auction and a live auction.  There were a few speakers but the one we were there to hear and support was our friend Leslie who has multiple melanoma.  It is a type of incurable cancer.  She did a fabulous job on her speech.  I know I cried and so did so many others.  Her speech was very moving as it came from the heart.  Her speech was her story and how wonderful Camp Goodtimes is for kids with cancer.  It is a special place.  And once you are part of this Goodtimes family you are always part of the Goodtimes family.  They passed out little packages of Kleenex to each table as the tears flowed.

We had a wonderful evening.  I enjoyed chatting with Karen, the author of “Because of Katie.”  She lost her daughter Katie rather quickly to cancer 5 years ago at the age of 12.  I haven’t finished the book but this is a goal of mine for the summer.  I really am not a reader but I will do my best to fit this in as well as the book “Closer Than You think.”. 

I also enjoyed chatting with Mooselips wife Heidi.  Mooselips is a camp name and he is the one who takes all of the pictures and also drives the Boata for camp.  What a wonderful man he is.  I must say his wife is very special too.  She is amazed at how well Karen and I have handled the loss of a daughter.  Our only daughter for both of us.  She shared how our situation sure makes her little ripples in life seem so small.  She catches herself getting angry over little things that she should not worry about.  And she thinks of Karen and myself and how lucky she is to have her family.   I think many of us do this.  I know I don’t worry so much about the little stuff.  You can see it in my house.  The dust collects and I just don’t care like I use to.  I have other things to do and think about.  It will get done at some point.  I much rather share my morning with Richard and Bee than take a shower and wash my hair.  I don’t need to look good to share time with them.  And boy do I love having time with them.  They mean so much to me. 

So we did share a nice morning but Richard and Bee both had to get back to Bellingham.  This is finals week and they both have a lot to do.  I know Richard must make 4 short videos by Tuesday for one of the fall classes.  He also has a big math final, which will pretty much determine his grade.  Bee had some things to get done before she meets with her group for a class tomorrow morning.  She has other finals too.  So off they went about 11 or 12.  The rest of the day was blah.  I hadn’t slept well the last two nights so I took a nap.

Oh, I also finished my speech for the Tacoma Relay Luminary Ceremony.  I will use the same one for the Fife-Milton-Edgewood Relay.  I love my relay family.  This next weekend is going to be busy but I will be enjoying time with many friends and family.  I look forward to it.

I did get Mooselips measurements last night.  He was so cute.  I walk up to him and he pulled a measuring tape from his pocket so there we were measuring in front of the entire crowd.   Richard tool photos too.  Remember the measurements are for his Dinosaur costume.  I showed it to Richard and Bee.  They loved it and said it was perfect.  It did turn out pretty good.  Not perfect but very adorable.  Starting the second one tomorrow.  Should get it all cut out and a bunch sown by the end of the day.  That is if I stay on task.

Have a good night.