Trip to Bellingham 8-20-12
I spent the weekend in Bellingham with Richard and Bee. I couldn’t write my blog there because
I was busy and also because I don’t wan to cry around Richard and I always do
cry when I write my blog.
So the other day I was listening to the radio and there was
this ad about Callie’s Coffee.
Kind of an ad. Callie is a
young girl who had a friend by the name of Ben who had cancer. They were very best friends and would
play together all of the time. I
think Ben and Callie were about 2 when Ben was diagnosed with cancer. Ben had a neuroblastoma a type of brain
tumor and died at age 3 ½. Callie
wanted to help her friend so she sold lemonade. The lemonade stand didn’t raise money like Callie would have
liked it to so she asked her Dad about selling something grownups would like
because they have all the money.
That is why she started her little coffee company at age 7. It can even be delivered to your
home. She is now looking into
adding Hot chocolate to her business in order to make even more money. Callie and her Dad heard about Kathi
Goertzen. Callie said something
like, with people like Kathi and myself raising money to help find a cure there
will some day be a cure. She is a
child and thinking of others. My Kathryn
also thought that way. That is why
she did the Relay for Life and the Ride for Kids and many other things to raise
awareness and funds for the cure for cancer. But I hate to say this… but there are people who do not want to find a cure because
they make a ton of money off of sick people. Chemo therapy is big money. I mean really big money. One person can cost 20,000 to 100,000 plus a month to treat. The big drug companies try to stop
people like Dr. Burzynski who have a cure. And one that isn’t so expensive. It is sad but it is true.
Friday I headed up to Bellingham. My 2 our drive took me 3 hours and 15 minutes. Wow, the traffic was bad. My knee actually hurt because I had to
push the clutch in so many times.
I was up there for Richard’s best friend’s graduation. We treat Mitch just like one of the
family. Mitch’s parents were there
from Texas and the 6 of us all went out for dinner (Richard, Bee, Mitch,
Mitch’s Mom, Mitch’s Dad, and myself).
The next day we all went to the graduation ceremony. Joining us were Mitch’s grandparents
from Gig Harbor. After the
ceremony we had a nice picnic and three more of Mitch’s friends from Bellingham
joined us. It was all very nice.
The next day I took Richard and Bee shopping. That’s what parents do for their
college students. One hundred
dollars later my two kids have everything they need and they are happy. I really enjoyed spending my time with
Richard and Bee.
The drive home only took 2 ½ hours. Thank goodness. My Mom then met me at my house and we
drove to my cousin’s house in Renton.
Got lost a little but found it.
My cousin Lori and her two boys were here from Texas. Lori is the one whose husband Rafer
passed away in May from cancer.
When we were in Texas trying a new treatment for Kathryn they were also
looking for something that would work for Rafer. Unfortunately neither one of us had the results we
wanted. Of course I was asked how
I was doing and how Richard and Scott were doing. I said Richard stays busy so he doesn’t have time to think
about his loss and I believe that is what Scott is doing now too. I have to think about Kathryn. I can’t
let my thoughts go without thinking about her. I haven’t slept well in about four or five nights because
I’m out of my magic sleeping pills and my mind just thinks about Kathryn and
songs come into my mind and play over and over. I asked Lori about her boys and she said she keeps them busy
and it helps. They are about 8 and
6. It will be hard for Lori to
raise them without their Dad but she is a good Mom and a strong woman. I will never forger how she spoke at
her Dad’s funeral. She was still
in high school and she spoke so well.
She didn’t choke on her words or cry. Her message wash clear and sweet. I remembered that so well. She gave me strength to speak at my Dad’s funeral. I remember thinking that Lori did it –
I could do it too. I had to do
it. My Dad deserved to have a
tribute that was from the heart.
One that spoke of what a wonderful Father, husband, friend, and person
her was. She set the bar high for
me and gave me strength. I didn’t
make it to Rafer’s funeral. I just
couldn’t take another one so close to Kathryn’s. But I’m sure it was beautiful. Lori’s boys look just like each of them. The oldest, Carson, looks just like his
Dad and the younger one, William, looks just like Lori. Cute and well mannered boys. Lori’s job has changed to one that
allows her to work more from home and do less traveling. She will have to go to conferences a
couple of times a year but she will work that out when they come up. You know we both looked at each other
feeling so sorry for one another.
We both understand the loss and pain of the other. But we couldn’t really talk about it. We will later.
My Mom spent the night as it was late when we came home form
Renton. I like having her
here. Scott was so good to make
her bed and have the house all clean for us. I’m lucky to have him.
I will be heading out to meet with the new yearbook rep in
just a little bit. We have a new
program but I think it will actually make my life easier. I’m looking forward to a good year.
Have a great day!
Hi Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jane and I'm with Dwellable.
I was looking for blogs about Bellingham to share on our site and I came across your post...If you're open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Jane