Prayers of Friendship

I was blessed on May 12, 2008 to have met Karla Tesch. She and I met at a Look Good Feel Better program sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Karla and I had decided on the same chemo treatment. We spent many hours on the phone conversing about the side effects we were each enduring. Her biggest pet peeve...crooked wigs.

Karla and her husband are the most devout Christians I have ever met. I do believe she was placed into my life to help me find my spiritual side. Sometimes when you have nothing else to go on, you need to find faith. She was loving, funny and most of all, calming.

Karla's health took a turn over Christmas. She passed away on Monday afternoon. Her husband, Jack, spoke with me on Monday night. She went peacefully. It was their 39th wedding anniversary on Monday. Jack shared with me that every year they renew their wedding vows. She was able to find the strength to renew their vows during her last moments. Love and faith conquer all.

May you find peace and comfort from above. You will be missed.

Time to Celebrate

The Thanksgiving Turkey has been eaten, along with the leftovers and Santa Clause has come and gone. Shopping and wrapping were finished prior to Christmas Eve, so it made the holidays not so stressful.

Maia and I attended Christmas Eve mass with Rich. After the service we headed to the Kondikoff's for Eve festivities.

Maia slept until almost 8:00 in the morning, which is remarkable for a child knowing Santa came the night before! I was fighting off a bug, so I was a little under the weather on Christmas Day. Maia enjoyed her videos, baby dolls and WII games. Santa was good to Rich and I as well. Maia gave him the watch he sent to have repaired a few months back. It was his father's, so the sentimental value was gracious. We enjoyed the rest of Christmas Day at John & Mom's.

This season also gave me time to wonder where the past year has gone. Many of the months are foggy, but I think it is the body's way of dealing with pain. I spent the beginning of December with a major case of depression. I figured it may have happened sooner or later, but not the way I expected it. There are times in your life when you need to bite the bullet and seek help. I guess there is no better time than the present. I spent the past nine months running on survival mode, but never took the time to deal with the emotional side of cancer. It caught up to me. We all know how to grieve for the loss of a parent, friend and even pet. No one ever tells us how to grieve for ourselves. We think of it as being selfish and we can deal with it on our own. Grief will get you when you least expect it.

It was an eye-opening experience. I spent many hours with therapists and have a much better understanding. I wish I would have had the tools and information months ago...it would have saved my sanity!

We are looking forward to a New Year and a new life beginning. The small things in life have become wondrous. Time for ourselves in needed and it is ok to leave the dishes in the sink.

Holiday Visits

The weeks have gone by and the holidays are among us. Rich's father, Joseph, came to visit for Thanksgiving. Rich, Maia, Joe and Mary(Rob's mom) made a 13 hour drive to visit frigid Colorado. Maia enjoyed time with Crissy, Rob and her niece, Shelby. Rich was happy to have four generations together for a few photos. They ventured to the "North Pole" to check on Maia's Christmas list. It was the 2nd time in Maia's life she touched snow!

The family made it home just in time to get ready for Turkey Day. The turkey was perfect and so was the company. The entire family was here and our dear friends, Jenn & Jose, survived another holiday with us. Love you both!

We spent the following days after Thanksgiving dragging out the Christmas decorations. The tree is up and decorated, the lights are hanging on the outside of the house and Maia is patiently waiting to decorate the gingerbread house I purchased. We have a few holiday parties to attend this weekend. And the season begins...