tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71864932405184774332024-03-13T13:13:59.901-04:00A Better DreamUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger854125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-70416224741748323252018-03-17T23:21:00.002-04:002018-03-19T12:11:28.286-04:00Honor and Grief<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 36pt;">Honor and Grief</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs08QmwurmoIfni4PfHwF0290NtoKzGLX0vSTe9hQjVYl5lIT3BiFmby8eY3L_ycOPcj8mUIOC80ahnNejslfqpSlD5ZqKLrUY-7YDLTW3uO9GUh7y5FmO6RhkKSPaSOgy34rqTYQqZs/s1600/IMG_6161.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="722" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs08QmwurmoIfni4PfHwF0290NtoKzGLX0vSTe9hQjVYl5lIT3BiFmby8eY3L_ycOPcj8mUIOC80ahnNejslfqpSlD5ZqKLrUY-7YDLTW3uO9GUh7y5FmO6RhkKSPaSOgy34rqTYQqZs/s320/IMG_6161.PNG" width="315" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Linda playing with chalk on her porch</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: x-large;">“The Most You Can Do For Me Is To Be A Village And Help Each
Other. Love You All” </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">~Linda
Sousa<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Grief, I am
learning, is a powerful force.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Grief is a
force, for me, that interweaves, with perhaps the most powerful force there is; love.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am told that grieving is a
natural part of life, not something that needs to be fixed, but rather
something that one must endure.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I can
understand, and have felt myself, how grieving can be a hard but “natural” part
of life.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, losing your best
friend at 44 years old after watching her suffer emotionally and physically in
front of her family, especially her husband, parents, and young children, does
not feel natural. Losing Linda is a devastating life altering loss for those
that love her most.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Somehow through the
heartache, we must find ways to persevere, help one another, give, find
happiness, and live, because that is what Linda hoped and prayed for.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grief is
different for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many
wonderful ways that Linda’s friends and family are channeling their grief,
including;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wearing anchor pins and MBC
ribbons, planting gardens, running fundraisers, lighting candles, spreading
painted kindness rocks around town, having masses in Linda’s honor, leaping,
praying…and many more. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All of these
gestures, and countless more, are done out of loss for someone who loved
passionately.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Linda took in the joy and
sorrow of the world around her.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She had
a huge heart that owned the hurts of those she loved and was greatly affected
by the tragedies and sadness of strangers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ABetterDreamFoundation/">https://www.facebook.com/ABetterDreamFoundation/</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQt-YCwVQVvbTu76C9go0kZUo0dufzuKTEnI7D_ManwTmWvWMvborhvusQDMA2B8WOuhHOeIzefVUev9N4axbJgWD1IJOK_UOs8mgmi4JXPbPP4UYTc1b-g7Li8GxQszjfcKJ1MCJpk0/s1600/IMG_6327.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQt-YCwVQVvbTu76C9go0kZUo0dufzuKTEnI7D_ManwTmWvWMvborhvusQDMA2B8WOuhHOeIzefVUev9N4axbJgWD1IJOK_UOs8mgmi4JXPbPP4UYTc1b-g7Li8GxQszjfcKJ1MCJpk0/s320/IMG_6327.PNG" width="319" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Linda's handwriting on a chalkboard in her basement</span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Inspired as
a very little girl by the handicapped students in her elementary school, Linda
knew at a young age that she wanted to be a special educator.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Linda was always looking for ways to give and
help others. Thoughtfulness was organic to her, it was a big part of who she
was.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was how Linda was made, how she
was hard wired.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“There Isn’t Anything So Bad That Nothing Good Can’t Come
From It”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "brush script mt"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">~ </span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Linda quoting her Memere</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This quote is a
tough one for me lately, but I am working on it. I guess I cannot expect the good to ever match the heartache of living without Linda. However, through the devastating loss
of Linda, good things <i>ar</i>e happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since there is nothing we can do to change the past, we must choose to
move forward and make the most of this life we have been given.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Out of our
love and grief, in honor of our Linda;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Victor, Linda’s parents, and I have created a nonprofit, charity
organization. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://abetterdreamfoundation.org/" target="_blank">abetterdreamfoundation.org</a> </span><a href="https://abetterdreamfoundation.org/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="750" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbJjIz7H230-1-7jnhYdxuiLnlE5RMsjmNLLSrDlqMxyjAYCo1yP-NM6akAWRtIFALryF1E30YkPmNTmJlVHlo3h55NHJAB3RNHiSpthoHZ_e_Tfi0mbzuCnPRBnmNKTGqMRYeH_7kM8/s640/IMG_6143.PNG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Linda
Sousa A Better Dream Foundation will:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Honor Linda’s love for education by annually awarding scholarships to
area high schools seniors; Help to spread awareness and raise funds for
Metastatic Breast Cancer Research because Linda had become passionate about the
needs of the women (and men) dying from the disease and the others yet to be
diagnosed;</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Inspire and encourage others
to spread kindness and live life to the fullest, as Linda did.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These are
the current goals of the foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This May, The Linda Sousa A Better Dream Foundation will award 4
scholarships to students from Attleboro High School and Dighton-Rehoboth High
School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are MBC awareness events
planned for this spring and funds from the foundation are already allocated for
research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Victor, Ron,
Jan, and I are hoping that with the help of those touched by Linda’s journey
and the community we are able to continue to make a difference in memory of our
Sweet Linda.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFpur0dktN0gm4Yq2wayoH3mypD0NAjAiviX56vL4hiyC1hK_JWjtM51t_KhRpTksiRJ4SpQn_tUCbXNvzK4g9odSZNTGUGjcTzx4Sq96n2ZqsYZ6-E7bANXo5iUoMwG4MTJzz2rugo/s1600/IMG_5158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1404" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGFpur0dktN0gm4Yq2wayoH3mypD0NAjAiviX56vL4hiyC1hK_JWjtM51t_KhRpTksiRJ4SpQn_tUCbXNvzK4g9odSZNTGUGjcTzx4Sq96n2ZqsYZ6-E7bANXo5iUoMwG4MTJzz2rugo/s200/IMG_5158.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n_w6PN5JueNNk-T5MjwKXX8ssKvb2xwfAlUq6XnnVanEP9ieeqideoFiRVZvUEsAmW9I-l65GKOIqzgeomimo5gDjylUwdNsHOirpbe23L5SKsDFGvKL0SStDE1a6hFvMKyDLjBbIzk/s1600/IMG_6938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5n_w6PN5JueNNk-T5MjwKXX8ssKvb2xwfAlUq6XnnVanEP9ieeqideoFiRVZvUEsAmW9I-l65GKOIqzgeomimo5gDjylUwdNsHOirpbe23L5SKsDFGvKL0SStDE1a6hFvMKyDLjBbIzk/s320/IMG_6938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRfP39rO-ij9aVD1qPUgHyqiy7ISwPac6XZc_Ym5Pf4ywgP8fvB5U9FUCwzuqAg6aescrX6zipmOJHXXF6iy-Phuo9rFlUXtxhwbIzvgY5qbxONPRK3Z3UHM-XUBMaADx2r4HtqIM-Ws/s1600/IMG_7741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="933" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRfP39rO-ij9aVD1qPUgHyqiy7ISwPac6XZc_Ym5Pf4ywgP8fvB5U9FUCwzuqAg6aescrX6zipmOJHXXF6iy-Phuo9rFlUXtxhwbIzvgY5qbxONPRK3Z3UHM-XUBMaADx2r4HtqIM-Ws/s200/IMG_7741.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hJpsoUPMvI3npGoZe-vdQHebfJyqY9eCq9wLDALhJEKu_MB_vFfc2YwBNTrBcmZDBwrrO3pE1C1evC_l1mbAftCV-zhxXuvIdix4v_fX1D2YvLxucfSQPNJHYwh5p_LuLDhCJ5PwyWs/s1600/IMG_8627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hJpsoUPMvI3npGoZe-vdQHebfJyqY9eCq9wLDALhJEKu_MB_vFfc2YwBNTrBcmZDBwrrO3pE1C1evC_l1mbAftCV-zhxXuvIdix4v_fX1D2YvLxucfSQPNJHYwh5p_LuLDhCJ5PwyWs/s320/IMG_8627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKx-xtlTgoxsxYUE_RmYLy8ywHSJ6pYHzoBmVv2iWNsOQCa8nuXjKt-a_hE59aWedxsJuUbPubFYr3zoeXYKXINpvYCylmpgXg4PVjyZKt1f59z6GQlMtE0F1CJ9gnO_p8bGAfSd9F9k/s1600/0373E98B-7DDE-4FCE-9ADC-14AC23C4E338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKx-xtlTgoxsxYUE_RmYLy8ywHSJ6pYHzoBmVv2iWNsOQCa8nuXjKt-a_hE59aWedxsJuUbPubFYr3zoeXYKXINpvYCylmpgXg4PVjyZKt1f59z6GQlMtE0F1CJ9gnO_p8bGAfSd9F9k/s320/0373E98B-7DDE-4FCE-9ADC-14AC23C4E338.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUNsfkuuaYhyemu3EJ0v1iu4oNZGtQt5d7zqVT69OowxaHkC_WfJZU5vO4M0fms3Ap4F9xwuHbTy9Hp4RY7FwJh4hJVM9k8OJ_R_FZrsvaHA2Gk_lVXNqyA4bfS3eptVDUbGracOPkCI/s1600/IMG_9322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="873" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUNsfkuuaYhyemu3EJ0v1iu4oNZGtQt5d7zqVT69OowxaHkC_WfJZU5vO4M0fms3Ap4F9xwuHbTy9Hp4RY7FwJh4hJVM9k8OJ_R_FZrsvaHA2Gk_lVXNqyA4bfS3eptVDUbGracOPkCI/s200/IMG_9322.JPG" width="193" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih46sb-oJ6gJ_HdtdipS8t7_yvxCZZl66zB9fDyQqzLQ70f8Jzdc4sKoHufsIoOUXEvyYQx3SZ1vCbsPrdrQ_bKIEGp9w1wMgJ2ogCeOkBoLAVdORYu7Z1PkZaT34RaXMNawSWuEPBaIc/s1600/IMG_9363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih46sb-oJ6gJ_HdtdipS8t7_yvxCZZl66zB9fDyQqzLQ70f8Jzdc4sKoHufsIoOUXEvyYQx3SZ1vCbsPrdrQ_bKIEGp9w1wMgJ2ogCeOkBoLAVdORYu7Z1PkZaT34RaXMNawSWuEPBaIc/s320/IMG_9363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537080425008225977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-70462403953901530572017-11-28T22:30:00.000-05:002017-11-28T22:30:24.874-05:00Words of remembrance<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdT9ohj2q4iUOO1MOEgOiJtCSXPhX2AX0GVIpflizZa_IErQwqX-PUBeXyZUFp9PFqYFiq36dq7LqsJcNYXjLbu-SiEBHqpZk2i6bOOdWOufkqSObjN13sAisCfc_L5dlT5NalLF9nfM/s1600/1499384745029-48be133d-c0cd-4ab3-ac77-356188375c2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdT9ohj2q4iUOO1MOEgOiJtCSXPhX2AX0GVIpflizZa_IErQwqX-PUBeXyZUFp9PFqYFiq36dq7LqsJcNYXjLbu-SiEBHqpZk2i6bOOdWOufkqSObjN13sAisCfc_L5dlT5NalLF9nfM/s320/1499384745029-48be133d-c0cd-4ab3-ac77-356188375c2a.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACtF5U-OGljbGrLmOTwvBpfIorC4ctZrBZXeebghXkDJmVbOYcjRa8qF7mPlbIwxe_4KOxgUK1DMRKxIvKlB3vyp50BU-pKgtVwDE6qMOI3pIENmp_GUYS4T7HQZnPdBPrzrBrj6TtGM/s1600/521077215.901565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACtF5U-OGljbGrLmOTwvBpfIorC4ctZrBZXeebghXkDJmVbOYcjRa8qF7mPlbIwxe_4KOxgUK1DMRKxIvKlB3vyp50BU-pKgtVwDE6qMOI3pIENmp_GUYS4T7HQZnPdBPrzrBrj6TtGM/s400/521077215.901565.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_4L51it-kVZQaqH_De_9envltYjSRFyKzyWRDScbnfl_2sFmmugevsb5nY8WaVOd73X67ZDTcJUC6pGU7gqOaWtSlixhyphenhyphenSZu6xC9BoKlrvwtfXrigMlwn_n4g6VzvLiyhDAQ34zmoVU/s1600/1499381860066-24713da4-2608-47f3-980d-8760d8aebd15_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_4L51it-kVZQaqH_De_9envltYjSRFyKzyWRDScbnfl_2sFmmugevsb5nY8WaVOd73X67ZDTcJUC6pGU7gqOaWtSlixhyphenhyphenSZu6xC9BoKlrvwtfXrigMlwn_n4g6VzvLiyhDAQ34zmoVU/s200/1499381860066-24713da4-2608-47f3-980d-8760d8aebd15_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5A-uCDK0Ckd9dMivxJpMtwpb7S5hCNs9lK6ezXqaxrQj4Na38w0zob2tqtZ5cxaJxoplt11WKT-fZfrkgrI2P4zToFB79W1Ukr9TmCGA0pU6e-1905JNcDNiorIoBFm3ca_Bc9CK9wU/s1600/IMG_7741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="933" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5A-uCDK0Ckd9dMivxJpMtwpb7S5hCNs9lK6ezXqaxrQj4Na38w0zob2tqtZ5cxaJxoplt11WKT-fZfrkgrI2P4zToFB79W1Ukr9TmCGA0pU6e-1905JNcDNiorIoBFm3ca_Bc9CK9wU/s320/IMG_7741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqzOrQa1ooEXUAYzPXL9cJvLKI5Oir0hXe5sHBLHr5XqV_uEHLy6K-y8OhWB2ATaaccV_GSmv4jpf51Q-YiL_rKRUhWNu9CeVWd7xylLf41l0HcfCgLX5DWjudKp7J-7197WOwJkVtLo/s1600/IMG_3173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqzOrQa1ooEXUAYzPXL9cJvLKI5Oir0hXe5sHBLHr5XqV_uEHLy6K-y8OhWB2ATaaccV_GSmv4jpf51Q-YiL_rKRUhWNu9CeVWd7xylLf41l0HcfCgLX5DWjudKp7J-7197WOwJkVtLo/s400/IMG_3173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is hard to believe that it has been nearly five months since Linda has passed. In some ways it seems like it was just last week that we were laughing, taking walks, and doing our best to enjoy life. In other ways it feels like I have not had my best friend/soul sister to talk to, in a painfully long time. With Linda's example of perseverance and strength, we are all putting one foot in front of the other. I am often asked how everyone is doing, especially Vic and the kids. Well, this is certainly not easy</span> <span style="font-size: large;">for them, the loss of Linda is devastating to all of us, especially Vic and the kids, but I think it is safe to say that they are doing ok. Linda was the most amazing momma I know, providing her children with the strong foundation they need to adjust to their new normal. Vic is proving to be an awesome father amid the most difficult circumstances. Linda is no doubt looking down on him with much pride.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Linda's services were beautiful. At the funeral home, the continuous line of people that Linda's life touched is a testament to the impact she had on the world. Linda's final wishes ensured that her special touch could be seen, felt, and heard, throughout her funeral mass. The church was decorated with flowers from her own beautiful garden. Linda asked that all of her scarves be adorned on the pews and left to be taken home by her loved ones. Although she had enough scarves to fill both sides of the center aisle of St. Cecilia's Church from front to back, I know that Linda did not expect the enormous church to be standing room only.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Linda's brother, Ron, wrote and eloquently delivered a genuine, heart felt, beautiful eulogy, that I suspect did not leave a dry eye in the house. </span> <span style="font-size: large;">Vic, Linda's parents, and I thought it would be nice to share his words on Linda's blog.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQAHmBnV3SoRcgCxUD87PTX2a3-Bw6Nt13LFoE0RIbPzuyP662tir4j_Wq9VFqHNHSq4vSbKtJ8Lm7yzN0sT63vaQUkjIfuCUdMuEVLW_oj4CSwc_0oV0SgD4KsnCPG0D2cWphrEtMuM/s1600/IMG_5383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1024" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQAHmBnV3SoRcgCxUD87PTX2a3-Bw6Nt13LFoE0RIbPzuyP662tir4j_Wq9VFqHNHSq4vSbKtJ8Lm7yzN0sT63vaQUkjIfuCUdMuEVLW_oj4CSwc_0oV0SgD4KsnCPG0D2cWphrEtMuM/s640/IMG_5383.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Ron's Words of Remembrance</i></span><br />
<br />
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">We've all read Linda's writings.... usually in the first person... Linda sharing her challenges, her successes, her struggles, her life with all of us. We marveled at her strength, admired her will to battle, and stood in awe of her tenacity to keep moving forward. I'm sure, like me, you all have your own admirations for her and how she was able to do it all, both mentally and physically.</span></i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm hoping to give you an even deeper perspective. I have 'known' Linda my whole life of course. That makes 43years... 43 years having her as my big sister. I've had a lot of time to try to understand a great deal about our relationship, what it has meant to me, and what kind of impact it had on each of us. Throughout the years, Linda and I had been close... never really finding reasons not to be. Yes, we had arguments and I aggravated the heck out of her at times - I like to think that I'd helped her sense of humor along the way... </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll never forget the day in December 2011, when Linda was first diagnosed with the Big C..... as she chose to call it. Like Linda and the rest of the family, I was in shock, uncertain of what was to come and emotionally overwhelmed. I wouldn't believe that this was happening to someone so close to me. Progressively, through the strength of Linda's OWN words and actions, we... our family... our extended family of relatives and friends... saw light at the end of the tunnel. Linda herself would encourage US that she could conquer this. I just looked for ways to be supportive and follow HER lead in the battle. She fought amazingly and rid the junk that had entered her body. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just like that first time... when I found out in June 2015, that after some time being in remission, it was back... my heart dropped. I remember Linda being concerned at the possibility as strange symptoms were coming on...we talked on the phone about it as she canceled her plans to attend a concert with me and our friends.... then hearing the awful news days later, I couldn't stop crying for her. These moments, these hours, these days... so vivid STILL in my mind. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With this diagnosis, more difficult than even the first, maybe you would crawl under a rock... maybe you throw in the towel... maybe you have continuous fits of rage... It's likely Linda had all of these thoughts then and even recently, but she more than embraced the positives - her husband, her children, her family, her friends... the many things in life that were once ordinary, but she has helped us all to realize... are extraordinary. She had learned to live in the moment... smile on the days she felt good...draw strength and have hope on the days she didn't. </i></span><br />
<div data-canvas-width="347.53919999999994" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 70.1347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.919318); white-space: pre; z-index: 178;">
<span style="font-size: large;">mention her will and her hope... and to say how great she </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="23.31648" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 395.587px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 70.1347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.890729); white-space: pre; z-index: 177;">
<span style="font-size: large;">was </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="326.048" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 422.467px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 70.1347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.929537); white-space: pre; z-index: 176;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with her kids.... and hower husband, Victor, and her
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="115.18399999999997" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 92.5347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.902242); white-space: pre; z-index: 175;">
<span style="font-size: large;">best friend, Shanno </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="88.93824000000001" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 163.227px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 92.5347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.913415); white-space: pre; z-index: 174;">
<span style="font-size: large;">n, are amazing </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="85.16991999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 255.707px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 92.5347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.921012); white-space: pre; z-index: 173;">
<span style="font-size: large;">human beings </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="210.61375999999996" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 340.867px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 92.5347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.900047); white-space: pre; z-index: 172;">
<span style="font-size: large;">... and how mom and dad selflessly </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="19.36" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 551.453px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 92.5347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.985572); white-space: pre; z-index: 171;">
<span style="font-size: large;">did </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="144.63871999999992" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 574.333px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 92.5347px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.911275); white-space: pre; z-index: 170;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so much for them... and
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="342.76991999999984" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 114.961px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.914667); white-space: pre; z-index: 169;">
<span style="font-size: large;">especially how through all of her troubles and stress, she </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="35.784319999999994" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 390.787px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 114.961px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.971453); white-space: pre; z-index: 168;">
<span style="font-size: large;">found </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="31.971839999999993" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 430.147px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 114.961px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.888054); white-space: pre; z-index: 167;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the st </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="289.984" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 462.173px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 114.961px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.927743); white-space: pre; z-index: 166;">
<span style="font-size: large;">rength to be outwardly positive... and to live her
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="72.9376" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 137.361px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.95861); white-space: pre; z-index: 165;">
<span style="font-size: large;">new normal </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="145.25696" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 124.512px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 137.361px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.954683); white-space: pre; z-index: 164;">
<span style="font-size: large;">like it really was normal </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 269.787px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 137.361px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(1); white-space: pre; z-index: 163;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="46.5152" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.931714); white-space: pre; z-index: 162;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Though </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="160.75712" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 98.112px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.94464); white-space: pre; z-index: 161;">
<span style="font-size: large;">amazing in its own right, a </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="26.937599999999993" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 258.907px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.997829); white-space: pre; z-index: 160;">
<span style="font-size: large;">ll of </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="72.93759999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 285.827px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.905654); white-space: pre; z-index: 159;">
<span style="font-size: large;">this I've said </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="189.32863999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 362.307px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.918267); white-space: pre; z-index: 158;">
<span style="font-size: large;">is probably old news to most of </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="22.170719999999996" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 551.613px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.934169); white-space: pre; z-index: 157;">
<span style="font-size: large;">you </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="87.09824" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 573.853px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.896106); white-space: pre; z-index: 156;">
<span style="font-size: large;">. You've read </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="41.215999999999994" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 660.933px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.892376); white-space: pre; z-index: 155;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Linda's </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="49.827200000000005" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 705.733px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.99863); white-space: pre; z-index: 154;">
<span style="font-size: large;">writings </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="7.0988799999999985" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 755.653px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 178.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.867903); white-space: pre; z-index: 153;">
<span style="font-size: large;">;
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="177.33183999999997" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 200.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.928402); white-space: pre; z-index: 152;">
<span style="font-size: large;">you've had your interactions; </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="181.61535999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 225.307px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 200.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.903051); white-space: pre; z-index: 151;">
<span style="font-size: large;">you've heard the stories. You </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="33.57631999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 406.947px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 200.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.954145); white-space: pre; z-index: 150;">
<span style="font-size: large;">could </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="95.28256000000002" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 444.067px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 200.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.895725); white-space: pre; z-index: 149;">
<span style="font-size: large;">see her strength </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="198.71999999999994" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 542.973px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 200.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.933992); white-space: pre; z-index: 148;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and determination along the way </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="10.14208" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 741.733px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 200.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.826641); white-space: pre; z-index: 147;">
<span style="font-size: large;">.
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="447.03167999999994" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 223.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.925313); white-space: pre; z-index: 146;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've read your comments of support and hope and your admirations at her </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="23.007359999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 495.133px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 223.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(1.12554); white-space: pre; z-index: 145;">
<span style="font-size: large;">will </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="26.142719999999997" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 521.693px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 223.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.912507); white-space: pre; z-index: 144;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="56.11264" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 547.773px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 223.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.952885); white-space: pre; z-index: 143;">
<span style="font-size: large;">optimism </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="166.05632" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 603.933px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 223.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.909982); white-space: pre; z-index: 142;">
<span style="font-size: large;">. All of these thoughts and
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="152.29312" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 245.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.91236); white-space: pre; z-index: 141;">
<span style="font-size: large;">feelings of her are so true </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="255.93663999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 203.867px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 245.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.950704); white-space: pre; z-index: 140;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and truly admirable standing on their own </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="13.66016" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 459.933px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 245.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.835039); white-space: pre; z-index: 139;">
<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="284.1401599999998" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 473.533px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 245.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.899593); white-space: pre; z-index: 138;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But her legacy goes beyond that. Over the past
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="84.90495999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 267.921px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.918361); white-space: pre; z-index: 137;">
<span style="font-size: large;">several month </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="149.51103999999998" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 132.992px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 267.921px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.88706); white-space: pre; z-index: 136;">
<span style="font-size: large;">s, it has been clear to me </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="237.62495999999993" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 282.467px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 267.921px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.918971); white-space: pre; z-index: 135;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that there is something deeper than this </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="229.29343999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 520.253px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 267.921px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.912835); white-space: pre; z-index: 134;">
<span style="font-size: large;">... that this is just the tip of the iceberg.
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="50.725120000000004" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 309.041px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.88572); white-space: pre; z-index: 133;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Recently </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="221.6096" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 98.752px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 309.041px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.886812); white-space: pre; z-index: 132;">
<span style="font-size: large;">, I've had some personal issues of my </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="26.339839999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 320.387px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 309.041px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.975426); white-space: pre; z-index: 131;">
<span style="font-size: large;">own </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="10.14208" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 346.627px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 309.041px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.826641); white-space: pre; z-index: 130;">
<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="270.0972799999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 356.707px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 309.041px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.915819); white-space: pre; z-index: 129;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't begin to think that my issues are even </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="48.22271999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 626.813px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 309.041px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.879672); white-space: pre; z-index: 128;">
<span style="font-size: large;">close to </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="70.93567999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 675.013px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 309.041px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.942179); white-space: pre; z-index: 127;">
<span style="font-size: large;">what Linda
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="23.31648" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.890729); white-space: pre; z-index: 126;">
<span style="font-size: large;">was </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="72.73151999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 74.88px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.955632); white-space: pre; z-index: 125;">
<span style="font-size: large;">battling, but </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="30.382079999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 151.227px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.977133); white-space: pre; z-index: 124;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it hel </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="168.76479999999998" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 181.627px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.924897); white-space: pre; z-index: 123;">
<span style="font-size: large;">ps to understand her impact </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="12.541439999999998" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 350.467px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.766652); white-space: pre; z-index: 122;">
<span style="font-size: large;">... </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="159.1232" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 362.947px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.921648); white-space: pre; z-index: 121;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was going through some </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="119.23199999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 522.013px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.934424); white-space: pre; z-index: 120;">
<span style="font-size: large;">surreal times in my </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="29.969919999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 641.213px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.963877); white-space: pre; z-index: 119;">
<span style="font-size: large;">own </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="86.14144" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 671.173px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 331.321px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.948774); white-space: pre; z-index: 118;">
<span style="font-size: large;">life. I will say
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="458.3071999999996" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 353.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.918202); white-space: pre; z-index: 117;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that the emotional roller coaster was never ending. The ups and downs that </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="21.9328" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 506.493px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 353.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.924144); white-space: pre; z-index: 116;">
<span style="font-size: large;">any </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="28.851199999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 531.773px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 353.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.904074); white-space: pre; z-index: 115;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of us </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="202.56191999999993" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 564.253px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 353.721px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.923746); white-space: pre; z-index: 114;">
<span style="font-size: large;">endure with personal struggles is
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="70.92096" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 376.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.922089); white-space: pre; z-index: 113;">
<span style="font-size: large;">comparable </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="57.775999999999996" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 122.432px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 376.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.861012); white-space: pre; z-index: 112;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in a sense </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="99.55136000000002" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 183.707px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 376.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.894513); white-space: pre; z-index: 111;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and we seek out </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="232.35519999999997" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 283.267px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 376.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.925209); white-space: pre; z-index: 110;">
<span style="font-size: large;">comfort from those we trust the most. </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="249.59231999999997" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 515.613px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 376.121px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.932816); white-space: pre; z-index: 109;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I confided in Linda as many of you might
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="42.14336" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 398.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.872925); white-space: pre; z-index: 108;">
<span style="font-size: large;">have. </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="299.77279999999996" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 90.08px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 398.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.93454); white-space: pre; z-index: 107;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I spent a good amount of time chatting with Linda </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="59.45407999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 393.507px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 398.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.908399); white-space: pre; z-index: 106;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on walks.. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 452.867px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 398.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(1); white-space: pre; z-index: 105;">
<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="203.18015999999992" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 459.427px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 398.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.923026); white-space: pre; z-index: 104;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on her couch... at her dinner table </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 662.693px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 398.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(1); white-space: pre; z-index: 103;">
<span style="font-size: large;">. </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="55.21472" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 672.773px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 398.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.924769); white-space: pre; z-index: 102;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This time </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="30.911999999999995" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 731.493px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 398.521px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(1.02133); white-space: pre; z-index: 101;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with
</span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="33.59103999999999" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 48px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 420.921px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.932656); white-space: pre; z-index: 100;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Linda </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="135.04128" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 85.12px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 420.921px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.922084); white-space: pre; z-index: 99;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in the last 7 months is </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="96.32768" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 220.187px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 420.921px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.954024); white-space: pre; z-index: 98;">
<span style="font-size: large;">time I'll cherish </span></div>
<div data-canvas-width="46.01472" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: transparent; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; left: 316.547px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; outline: none; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 420.921px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.937344); white-space: pre; z-index: 97;">
<span style="font-size: large;">forever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">For the past couple of years, if friends would ask how Linda
was doing, I would give the progress update and proceed to mention her will and her hope... and to say how great she was with her kids.... and how her</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">husband, Victor, and her best friend, Shannon,
are amazing human beings ... and how mom and dad selflessly did so much for them... and especially how through all of her troubles and stress, she found the strength to be outwardly
positive... and to live her new normal like
it really was normal.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Though amazing in its own right, all of this I've
said is probably old news to
most of you. You've read Linda's
writings; you've had your interactions; you've heard the stories. You could see her strength and determination along the way. I've read your comments of support and hope and your
admirations at her will and optimism. All of these thoughts and feelings of her are so true and
truly admirable standing on their own. But her legacy goes beyond that. Over the past </i></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">several months, it
has been clear to me that
there is something deeper than this ...
that this is just the tip of the iceberg. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Recently, I've had some personal issues of my own. I
don't begin to think that my issues are even close
to what Linda was battling, but it
helps to understand her impact... I was going through some surreal times in my own life. I will say that the emotional roller coaster was never ending. The ups and downs that any of us endure with personal struggles is comparable in a sense and we seek out comfort from those we trust the
most. I
confided in Linda as many of you might</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>have. I spent a
good amount of time chatting with Linda on
walks...on her couch...at her dinner table.
This time with Linda in the last 7 months is time I'll cherish forever.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Often times with these personal struggles, we ask ourselves </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">this question: Why Me?</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">I'm sure this is something Linda </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">asked herself often. This battle...this war she was
dealing with I would not wish upon
anyone and there has to be a reason it was Linda. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Why Me? There are
some that will never be able to answer that question because they are stuck just feeling sorry, having regret, and dwelling on the negatives. </span></i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">Why Linda? </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Linda had always had
a knack for helping others. She was the oldest of three siblings and always
tried to steer my brother Jeff and I in the right direction. She became a teacher to countless endearing children,
always making their growth her priority...Always willing to give and to
provide to others...A kind, caring, and loving mom, wife, sister, daughter, grand
- daughter, niece, cousin, colleague and friend. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Even during her toughest days, she thought to buy flowers for Mom's birthday... and to run out for
presents for Jordan's birthday and my birthday...and to get gifts for all the fathers
in her life on Father's Day...and to make sure everyone ELSE was ok. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Why Linda? Well, maybe Linda...because she would not only have the strength to fight ...and the courage to carry on...and the hope to see better times ahead for herself, but because she could do ALL of that and still teach...still help OTHERS see the positives...and have the hope....and to see the light at the end of
THEIR dark tunnels. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you are faced with a challenge, you have 2 choices: you can rise up to it...or you can back
down and crumble. Over these last several
months, Linda has TAUGHT ME to embrace the positives... to look at a challenge as an opportunity to
prove yourself once again. We can
dwell on the past. We could
be immersed with regret. We could </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">continue with the constant
'why me?'. Those have been my
challenges... they were certainly her
challenges...It's how we face these challenges, however, to move on and learn from them
that counts. Linda always looked
to take those steps forward...overcome those hurdles. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">If we can’t go back in time to prevent these issues,
we know we have to channel them
positively from the way we SEE them to the way we HANDLE them... and handle them she
did... with unmatched grace. It is easier for us to feel resentment with all the bad going on than to do something about it. Life
is very short to not move forward no
matter what your obstacles. She taught me that we need to live
our lives and enjoy it as much as we can. There are ALWAYS positives: I've seen first hand even more over
the last several months that Linda's husband and kids are amazing, that our mom and dad and her
best friend and the rest of our family
and friends are constant incredible support.... Linda had </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">continuously reminded
me of my own three great boys, and my hard
earned career, and my good health, and my supportive family and my
many great friends. That there is plenty to be thankful for no
matter what your struggle. We can all reflect on this and
find our positives no matter what your
situation is. </span></i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">So, here it is... my big sister, who was suffering from
a debilitating illness... whose struggles were
far bigger than many of ours.... whose
'normal' was very different than what it ever was ... is teaching
me how to live... how to
enjoy what I have... how to put one foot in front of the other again. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">So Why Linda? </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Well... maybe
because...as she fought her own battle for her husband and
children</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> ... and as she tried to smile for my mom and dad...</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">and as</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">she</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">attempted</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">to
keep things </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">as</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">consistent</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">as
possible</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> under the most excruciating ever</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">-
changing circumstances</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">,
she</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">could STILL teach me...</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">teach all of</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> us... all very powerful life lessons...and because her own struggles </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">were so devastatingly </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">real, those lessons.... those messages... those actions....were that much more impactful. </span></i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">So now, what would Linda want each of you... each of us...
to learn</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">from her</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">today?</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Because I'm fairly certain she won't ever stop teaching</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">...
what words of wisdom would
she want us to carry on with?</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">To all of her family, her friends, her acquaintances:</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">an act of kindness goes a long way.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> From the hundreds upon hundreds of greeting cards, to the flowers, to the
balloons, to the meals provided, </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">to
the leaps, to the many gifts...
there were and still are so many signs in the Sousa home of
support, hope and love. Know that these
things are appreciated and have meant so </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">much.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> Linda would surely want you to know this...and to know that you need to continue to take care of each other and to continue to think of others.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Life is to</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">o
precious and </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">too</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> short.</span></i></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: transparent;">Jeff</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">- I know this </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">too well... Linda would put her
brothers on a pe</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">destal.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">She has always told us how proud she is of Jeff and I . </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">So Jeff,
what can we learn from this</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">?
Certainly that life is very </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">delicate. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Continue to be the person you are, do the things you love, and spend time with the people that
matter mo</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">st. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Continue to be kind, car</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">ing, and loving. Continue to believe that you can accomplish whatever you set
out to do. Continue to take care of Mom and Dad like they've taken care of all of us. Move forward... one step at a time.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>To Mom and Dad: the dynamic
duo. Linda for sure would say that her thinking of
others first comes from the
both of you. It would be the very
rare occasion, if ever, that
either of you would put yourself before
anyone else. You are always the ones taking care of others, making sure everyone else is ok... Mom, Dad... thank you for being the shoulders to cry on, the ears to listen, the arms to lift me, and the
voice of hope. You were always there for me, for Ronnie, and for Jeff. Nobody is
perfect, but you certainly are close. Now,
what would make me happy? .... what would make me happy is if you found some time for yourselves- take advantage of retirement,
smell the flowers, enjoy camping, play with your grandkids. Stay Strong like the Rocks you have always
been for me. Don't stop living.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>To Victor. This
came way sooner than anyone ever would have imagined. It
has to be the hardest thing in the
world to watch the one you love go through so much suffering and to
feel so much pain yourself, but to
show your strength to everyone on the outside.
The calmness and comfort you have always provided, and especially
through these most painful times has been such an important piece to this
battle. You are a good man, Victor... a
good husband, a good son, a good brother, a
good uncle, a good father... Continue to be that man. I
know you'll take care of the children just fine. And please be happy, smile a lot, and laugh - it is great when you laugh...
infectious when you laugh.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Evan and Kaia ...
well, what can I say. You are the true miracles that made Mommy's life complete. Do
not ever stop challenging yourselves. Keep reaching for the stars. Continue to make Mommy proud. You
are both destined for great things. Be
respectful to your dad, your
relatives especially your Uncle
Ron, and your teachers. Be kind to your friends and all those you meet.Work hard at everything you do. Mommy
loves you more than anything in
the world and will continue to look over you every minute of every day.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Friendship....
friendship is a
combination of affection, loyalty, love, respect, and trust. The general traits
of a friendship include similar interests, mutual respect and an attachment
to each other. The emotional
safety provided by friendship means not having to weigh your thoughts or measure your words.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>True </i></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>friendship is when someone knows you better than yourself and takes a position in your best interests in
a crisis. Friendship goes beyond just sharing
time together, and it is long lasting and
even forever. Shannon, you
are an unbelievable person, a trusted companion, a true friend. </i></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will always be considered a member of our family. You have sacrificed so much for us. Please take some much needed time to be with your husband and your children and to get back to your own passions. You deserve that time
for yourself.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>One of my Memeres used to say that there is never anything so bad that something good can't
come out of it. Memere, memere...</i></span><br />
<div style="display: inline !important;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><i>this is an extremely tough one to justify, but here it is...</i></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Linda was chosen. . <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Linda was chosen to
teach us....to teach me... to teach all of you... <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">to appreciate
more,.....to laugh
louder,....to love stronger,.... to live better,
.... to think positively,....
to always be kind
.... It is our responsibility now to carry these lessons on with us
and pass them on to others along the way. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Linda, we all love you and thank you for your guidance. Either directly or indirectly, you have made such an impact on so many people's lives. Your legacy is far
reaching... so far reaching. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>You are forever in our minds, Linda ... you are forever in our </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>hearts. I love you my sister.</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTzCPSNrvkGMAc_F-8YPVsPA0oPhp29UTpVeFqoHpVeTvenrESSSggFrwNjZHKNLPJhlMn9GOnK88EwBKfZ8OV9AeV4ryPZBO6e8uiWPmj5W13gXE10ttZuTZXHD2VnGHibOnaoRxCCk/s1600/521075874.852461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTzCPSNrvkGMAc_F-8YPVsPA0oPhp29UTpVeFqoHpVeTvenrESSSggFrwNjZHKNLPJhlMn9GOnK88EwBKfZ8OV9AeV4ryPZBO6e8uiWPmj5W13gXE10ttZuTZXHD2VnGHibOnaoRxCCk/s320/521075874.852461.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfS3AHdMO-TSi8LocdiJ1pZvkCJeLGQPjA_F6EL7shVfOjDjc0dKDH3_Gq3F0-9f7wfim7rAWxEjbJ-u1FrLBL1iSNwD6n1LzXW5AejBeh1hQ9G8vofpRDCohKDV1zXHlmWP46DiwbW1Y/s1600/1499382698854-ec530271-077e-4eab-9d77-163cf840ee84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfS3AHdMO-TSi8LocdiJ1pZvkCJeLGQPjA_F6EL7shVfOjDjc0dKDH3_Gq3F0-9f7wfim7rAWxEjbJ-u1FrLBL1iSNwD6n1LzXW5AejBeh1hQ9G8vofpRDCohKDV1zXHlmWP46DiwbW1Y/s320/1499382698854-ec530271-077e-4eab-9d77-163cf840ee84.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9zxJDZL8jBC46JkHlQg8I4ikx_KyyXA51mZVLduruwJWZi6phzoc7rrk3Z34QKn5OkK6xy0T1WqVD95BAzGtZq8D7GR4-UxbtxxHr8PJLTLKK4qkv3tJjXR_6-ZWb4ZGBPg4bKzDDd0/s1600/1499383417606-8f8058d5-aef6-4b71-ab6c-5c25baec0cec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9zxJDZL8jBC46JkHlQg8I4ikx_KyyXA51mZVLduruwJWZi6phzoc7rrk3Z34QKn5OkK6xy0T1WqVD95BAzGtZq8D7GR4-UxbtxxHr8PJLTLKK4qkv3tJjXR_6-ZWb4ZGBPg4bKzDDd0/s400/1499383417606-8f8058d5-aef6-4b71-ab6c-5c25baec0cec.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjamFm-FwRFvkBA_pfjSrq4Km-dfy-VYZCpZ4E6gIyoNnAAy_55O38nmamWvTkV6HhezPTV2l4S764MYPzsCBg81vNzB-ZisNW_rBugMvtZNjAQvmJDkYFcbBSgdB8f19jfM6BsIrmIM/s1600/IMG_8359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjamFm-FwRFvkBA_pfjSrq4Km-dfy-VYZCpZ4E6gIyoNnAAy_55O38nmamWvTkV6HhezPTV2l4S764MYPzsCBg81vNzB-ZisNW_rBugMvtZNjAQvmJDkYFcbBSgdB8f19jfM6BsIrmIM/s640/IMG_8359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>"The living owe it to those who no longer speak to tell their story of them."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">-Czeslaw Milosz</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="document-page" data-page="4" height="1056" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2) 0px 0px 8px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 1056px; margin: 20px auto; outline: none; visibility: visible; width: 816px;" width="816">
<div class="pdf-page" height="1056" style="background-clip: content-box; box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; height: 1056px; margin: 0px auto; outline: none !important; overflow: visible; position: relative; width: 816px;" width="816">
<div class="text-wrapper user-select-text" height="1056" style="bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; height: 1056px; left: 0px; line-height: normal; opacity: 0.2; outline: none !important; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px; user-select: text; width: 816px;" width="816">
<div data-canvas-width="563.7171199999997" style="box-sizing: border-box; cursor: text; left: 195.867px; margin: -500px -2em 0px -10em; padding: 500px 2em 0px 10em; position: absolute; top: 506.841px; transform-origin: 10em 0px 0px; transform: scaleX(0.921896); white-space: pre; z-index: 80;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537080425008225977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-77745554368356216192017-08-04T01:58:00.000-04:002017-08-10T21:14:34.911-04:00A Beautiful Life<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Linda Marie (Leclair) Sousa</b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong>September 23,1972-July 3,20</strong><strong>17</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbkHQXCtx_ia2-jFwISYt8oaZ4qaYc1YUtU23Q6PD1AQQ6MIYZZWmTdqWmeRokxkpsQk8Qh9Qy-MK4BOH8gbfEPEqLxzBk0kXl2n99YKQd0VqTTR_pZTpr96_kvKrhtyGyd0Uoi-jt_E/s1600/IMG_7695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbkHQXCtx_ia2-jFwISYt8oaZ4qaYc1YUtU23Q6PD1AQQ6MIYZZWmTdqWmeRokxkpsQk8Qh9Qy-MK4BOH8gbfEPEqLxzBk0kXl2n99YKQd0VqTTR_pZTpr96_kvKrhtyGyd0Uoi-jt_E/s320/IMG_7695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My beautiful, brilliant, sweet, loving, full of life, Soul Sister received her angel wings one month ago on the night of July 3rd with fireworks exploding in the background.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Victor and I thought it was important to post news of Linda’s passing on her blog. During the past few months, Linda hoped she would be well enough to update everyone in her own words, but she did not get that chance. Unlike Linda, sharing feelings does not come easily to me. I want everyone to know that Linda was a Rock Star long before her illness. She was extraordinary her whole life- those close to her already know this. I refuse to allow Stupid Cancer to take credit for anything good that Linda was. She was inspirational, strong, kind, insightful, positive, and graceful long before December 2011. Linda spent over three decades filling my bucket. Since we were young girls, whenever I was feeling lost, I could count on Linda to point me in the right direction. Although she is three weeks younger than me, I have always and will always look up to her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we struggle to learn to live life without Linda, knowing that she touched so many lives is a large source of comfort. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to Linda’s family and mine. To honor her, I have humbly attempted to give a glimpse of Linda's beautiful heart from my perspective. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br /><i><br /></i></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">“With life as short as a half taken breath, don’t plant anything but love.”</span> </i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ~ Rumi</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda began her life’s journey cherished, protected, and loved by her wonderful family. She left this Earth with a full and grateful heart, humbly understanding that during her 44 years, she had made a beautiful imprint on more lives than she would ever come to know. To feel love and to give love was most important in her life. If measured in love, not in years, Linda led the fullest of lives.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlbLbdQazEAPdQ3fbohjESqyk03zPdYHG6v41Wl5CI-6qbds4U1JDixoJUTykW3uYdCPljzF6_IwvW4rJt_oib6Zmrbb1-knF3xwkE3FWSMfcVtCD37WBPdBaSUHUR-oc8YBd7XSxCz4/s1600/1499383481050-685b2571-7441-4ddc-81fa-d301dade1b31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlbLbdQazEAPdQ3fbohjESqyk03zPdYHG6v41Wl5CI-6qbds4U1JDixoJUTykW3uYdCPljzF6_IwvW4rJt_oib6Zmrbb1-knF3xwkE3FWSMfcVtCD37WBPdBaSUHUR-oc8YBd7XSxCz4/s320/1499383481050-685b2571-7441-4ddc-81fa-d301dade1b31.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda planted love passionately.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved teaching and became a very well respected and admired educator amongst her colleagues. She was a fierce advocate for her students. When Linda’s health forced her to retire from the job she dreamed of as a child, she continued to teach on an even larger scale. Linda taught us all what courage looks like; what bravery sounds like; what strength feels like. Linda showed us how to be fully alive in the wake of physical limitations. Her example of moving forward with happiness, hope, grace, and purpose continues to inspire others to live better lives.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved to give. She was always thinking of how to make others happy through her personal touch. She had a talent for recognizing what others would like and creating her own gifts filled with her special magic. Linda understood that gifts do not need to be expensive or fancy to touch people’s hearts. It was typical for Linda to bring flowers from her garden in a simple glass jar with a pretty ribbon and hand written tag, to cookouts, parties, or just because. Her hands were always moving. More than once, Linda would put together a special gift for me, right in front of my eyes, without me even knowing it. Long ago, I stopped asking what she was up to when she was creating. My home and my studio are filled with special, meaningful (many handmade) gifts from Linda. I will treasure every one of them…always. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgzhnT9gBHp7zbDoFa2GiDP9iIB7u4wy42ViY6nxIaGCftiltp4Bie4gyjNHutV2jfLhkOjna0cQm3uicjblrclttHfpi5ZKaqIaktsXSu1HBgzg2D8RdnKLlT7hSu0XktERXAYty3YA/s1600/IMG_1779.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="740" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgzhnT9gBHp7zbDoFa2GiDP9iIB7u4wy42ViY6nxIaGCftiltp4Bie4gyjNHutV2jfLhkOjna0cQm3uicjblrclttHfpi5ZKaqIaktsXSu1HBgzg2D8RdnKLlT7hSu0XktERXAYty3YA/s320/IMG_1779.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJnrtDA0nWQp-5apXflxVH4R7GDjhWaauOjDpj2A0L3U5hkHSGP3nWseESkXQbqadPrAA7R7e4Rs6I04TS7RY-HWgD6OfaUf-75anXw10DpSKmx1neyqkGP975WiSjYa9OKOfjaaacpk/s1600/IMG_1778.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="738" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJnrtDA0nWQp-5apXflxVH4R7GDjhWaauOjDpj2A0L3U5hkHSGP3nWseESkXQbqadPrAA7R7e4Rs6I04TS7RY-HWgD6OfaUf-75anXw10DpSKmx1neyqkGP975WiSjYa9OKOfjaaacpk/s320/IMG_1778.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kvremyyt9uL6hBILzd3_n32MpCKfPVmSvfAxaEP-WcLuce9arELwJgsTsHyjaM794Gv7SJ0V2uiE4Mxpv8jtibxuUpECVBf3VjkGfL7oW-gy4KQs0Jdc-JlT9N2ghOOgpHR65CQD3rw/s1600/IMG_5244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kvremyyt9uL6hBILzd3_n32MpCKfPVmSvfAxaEP-WcLuce9arELwJgsTsHyjaM794Gv7SJ0V2uiE4Mxpv8jtibxuUpECVBf3VjkGfL7oW-gy4KQs0Jdc-JlT9N2ghOOgpHR65CQD3rw/s320/IMG_5244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOP4dZ_aEZYIv6SceEP0Ord0RI2R3lUcrz1N_zgK8x54vmw7gQg-PuWBKrvbjVHuFd71rAtZP-GU-RLdsY1kWh5EUKaKQS17n5DLHCF7j5HJoPIN0Cmt9PLJbmsdo94Yo3wzWj16QpHc/s1600/IMG_1777.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="739" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOP4dZ_aEZYIv6SceEP0Ord0RI2R3lUcrz1N_zgK8x54vmw7gQg-PuWBKrvbjVHuFd71rAtZP-GU-RLdsY1kWh5EUKaKQS17n5DLHCF7j5HJoPIN0Cmt9PLJbmsdo94Yo3wzWj16QpHc/s320/IMG_1777.PNG" width="297" /></a></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved photography. Her unique perspective behind the lens captured nature’s beauty and life’s precious moments. She preferred candids over posed photos and always caught genuine moments of loved ones and friends. Family and friends could count on Linda to have her camera at every special event. Others recognized and admired Linda’s talent. She was often asked to photograph weddings, family photos, and other occasions. Lin and Vic’s home is filled with her beautiful photography. Even before she became ill, Linda was aware that every day was a gift. You can see how she cherished every precious moment through her beautiful photographs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauLXdUALsdfEYT_aIya2oNWDDnJYE6y6l4kq4q3Nx6NezpWthSdrsyh_4T5PiOgSIOo31TvOvBaqeIhaqjboBlDJUbaKY_URaJmsB6tK_1f4Kgi3RCgWtEYAEy-zvvCO5Teui5Ven1pY/s1600/IMG_0907.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1165" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauLXdUALsdfEYT_aIya2oNWDDnJYE6y6l4kq4q3Nx6NezpWthSdrsyh_4T5PiOgSIOo31TvOvBaqeIhaqjboBlDJUbaKY_URaJmsB6tK_1f4Kgi3RCgWtEYAEy-zvvCO5Teui5Ven1pY/s640/IMG_0907.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS83Vlu3cq6tCFv2MPZfn2Mqq-T9r84jQTJuugegJYCBBGhtYe00JmzchWrVHF8ANg8PpZYy_a0QTPGktiDl8s5XqEs53qjptBWzW7kxDpvUfbEL4d91jWz_8fCANr1oRphMtaT5RitSc/s1600/IMG_1769.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="750" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS83Vlu3cq6tCFv2MPZfn2Mqq-T9r84jQTJuugegJYCBBGhtYe00JmzchWrVHF8ANg8PpZYy_a0QTPGktiDl8s5XqEs53qjptBWzW7kxDpvUfbEL4d91jWz_8fCANr1oRphMtaT5RitSc/s320/IMG_1769.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYPbRxJBONC8o5wzD8oo7awK_rrfmx-RWkkT6hq8AKVD_aROOsl3kZHACyspyiVZGOdZFvEWONzIz7VYt2hOYIstiw8CoWnbDi5ZCY0MNcU-6QbvomiNJs7UvbELBt2t7194I5EoyKbU/s1600/IMG_1768.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="748" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYPbRxJBONC8o5wzD8oo7awK_rrfmx-RWkkT6hq8AKVD_aROOsl3kZHACyspyiVZGOdZFvEWONzIz7VYt2hOYIstiw8CoWnbDi5ZCY0MNcU-6QbvomiNJs7UvbELBt2t7194I5EoyKbU/s320/IMG_1768.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxIHvr_A3yYvSvIl-A-UkDQkATVBu7szhsadflFnh76spKcE_JdgZq7zpyp3xqNRe_nD_Pu9xGT5WzhkYAgTiftqymIwaGAgnuM2LO877te5kF9qM2-V7mq6qyohHvhrXQfI8L-M_FGA/s1600/IMG_1765.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="750" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxIHvr_A3yYvSvIl-A-UkDQkATVBu7szhsadflFnh76spKcE_JdgZq7zpyp3xqNRe_nD_Pu9xGT5WzhkYAgTiftqymIwaGAgnuM2LO877te5kF9qM2-V7mq6qyohHvhrXQfI8L-M_FGA/s320/IMG_1765.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFY7uHbw3LG6edU8ZNoKE0oDrsUYFQmkn0K5u3Qj0ExF9P5lxGe5a_KxxV4pZ2syEX0YkPcorv7CVFi7JVGv9kMPKPpv-bUV0Iomg8PnxKYBaSym1XXF1pEZTefHatnnScggIUbxowSc/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFY7uHbw3LG6edU8ZNoKE0oDrsUYFQmkn0K5u3Qj0ExF9P5lxGe5a_KxxV4pZ2syEX0YkPcorv7CVFi7JVGv9kMPKPpv-bUV0Iomg8PnxKYBaSym1XXF1pEZTefHatnnScggIUbxowSc/s320/IMG_2033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved nature. She and Victor spent two decades tending to their beautiful gardens. Many of their plants, flowers, and shrubs came from the yards of her grandparents or other relatives. Linda found solace on her front porch where she enjoyed watching birds nest in her hanging plants and following butterflies as they fluttered through her flowers. She loved the change of the seasons and all of nature’s beauty.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaKoOSuYnY8eBKyISvnll6xMoeul9xipq_RpLt1jhTbBCQv4Vp3knZ4vNHwR_X4lDXbdyEzGH4JlBnC0UmITPINW8MUGhSqjG4LSLDTjvlfXdseDYdiR_Q_LkRavtfoc8hDs9RubXwh8/s1600/IMG_1771.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="750" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaKoOSuYnY8eBKyISvnll6xMoeul9xipq_RpLt1jhTbBCQv4Vp3knZ4vNHwR_X4lDXbdyEzGH4JlBnC0UmITPINW8MUGhSqjG4LSLDTjvlfXdseDYdiR_Q_LkRavtfoc8hDs9RubXwh8/s320/IMG_1771.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWJ9mx4s3rQCK5CUiXsi_OHP1qKMWEaroREfSxOPIgxpsVcywaYQSYTsBrPbh-umASb_n8YwGqBLm9uZYtKcUZobuaEfs5eirdnOlpV4ySRnAoQaEz1LJMJrxpAoJug-dL6tq7RmaWjA/s1600/IMG_1770.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="750" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWJ9mx4s3rQCK5CUiXsi_OHP1qKMWEaroREfSxOPIgxpsVcywaYQSYTsBrPbh-umASb_n8YwGqBLm9uZYtKcUZobuaEfs5eirdnOlpV4ySRnAoQaEz1LJMJrxpAoJug-dL6tq7RmaWjA/s640/IMG_1770.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm09PCPBNW0i4GEbq2QAVRQwSrUjoiZ4A0XQ2Ec9uB6Cp_R6Hdcl3tStxe2c3iU-10g2Z6ENIzGKVlTBrqUfmZ8KUkAg5aVAp63JMSKJWsVPw3UCm2i6vPwWGE2C0Npnu-cP6qGx1AFgA/s1600/IMG_1772.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="750" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm09PCPBNW0i4GEbq2QAVRQwSrUjoiZ4A0XQ2Ec9uB6Cp_R6Hdcl3tStxe2c3iU-10g2Z6ENIzGKVlTBrqUfmZ8KUkAg5aVAp63JMSKJWsVPw3UCm2i6vPwWGE2C0Npnu-cP6qGx1AFgA/s320/IMG_1772.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UQquvCn4-JdAc90Dlcyk1ZvdyDmEb2VUdQGl5fuITtelCkOAsMF0C6LLjWRPnxnCqGP36SW4StzAHhdZj20uWbYZ6jMQVEDJ6RuthyphenhyphenSjeCuRyYfW4witWO9bPLfPuy14kkPAJjKXVBw/s1600/IMG_1774.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="750" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UQquvCn4-JdAc90Dlcyk1ZvdyDmEb2VUdQGl5fuITtelCkOAsMF0C6LLjWRPnxnCqGP36SW4StzAHhdZj20uWbYZ6jMQVEDJ6RuthyphenhyphenSjeCuRyYfW4witWO9bPLfPuy14kkPAJjKXVBw/s640/IMG_1774.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved to go for walks outside with her children, her parents, and her friends. She enjoyed the fresh air, conversation, and scenes from nature. Walks served as a good stress reliever for her. Linda and I walked together nearly every day for years...sometimes before the sun came up, sometimes very late at night, during snowstorms and rainstorms, sometimes running to prepare for 5Ks she was determined to do, and sometimes holding on to each other for support through life’s darkest times.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVOqfGvKy2suYi4vXAZ5wyDCNTqMx7PcDVRq03F2BApA2WRBhsR4W_IKi7IJhe2ct1mIc-4oKVcjWTdTfW4B9ydTNFz8dTQGkZpggOPIiTg4dLH4e_4kMqvA9M2O2Csnt_pdCcdMeCu4/s1600/IMG_1764.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="750" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVOqfGvKy2suYi4vXAZ5wyDCNTqMx7PcDVRq03F2BApA2WRBhsR4W_IKi7IJhe2ct1mIc-4oKVcjWTdTfW4B9ydTNFz8dTQGkZpggOPIiTg4dLH4e_4kMqvA9M2O2Csnt_pdCcdMeCu4/s320/IMG_1764.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpneBv57gkFcVG0z1hFz1z3UctxDcsvFiDEIPFmroZpY-fXs5rk5npdDQyRTXl0rkyH6T05Y-D-jIoHZPbXhObHkwiJyqbk3pLKG79nEw3S7yqq2WYpU4jVhdiGJZEn1IRqSmor8aqooQ/s1600/IMG_1775.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="748" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpneBv57gkFcVG0z1hFz1z3UctxDcsvFiDEIPFmroZpY-fXs5rk5npdDQyRTXl0rkyH6T05Y-D-jIoHZPbXhObHkwiJyqbk3pLKG79nEw3S7yqq2WYpU4jVhdiGJZEn1IRqSmor8aqooQ/s640/IMG_1775.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VfVn7hF9YEp1L89kE8eBivg02jvt8OC9a0w464TkrneV-tBxl6QCVC2nIGGzPS7oEV5j0KnfVHLPvSTRWG-gUYH81QEyNdv3ypVjljSm3g23w-MlKh4s31kAhgDdgbwQ9ZnjH1SzEhA/s1600/IMG950896.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VfVn7hF9YEp1L89kE8eBivg02jvt8OC9a0w464TkrneV-tBxl6QCVC2nIGGzPS7oEV5j0KnfVHLPvSTRWG-gUYH81QEyNdv3ypVjljSm3g23w-MlKh4s31kAhgDdgbwQ9ZnjH1SzEhA/s1600/IMG950896.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved old things. Antiquing with her mom was one of her favorite things to do. Linda spent years collecting, refurbishing and re-purposing treasures she received from her grandparents or even old gems she found on the side of the road. She could make a rusty box, a broken ladder, or an old wheelbarrow look like a piece of art. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpgrFXwN-vX2th_Wav5IBuPEKSEHLtZi0K0N5pWbeUa9WdlR_R-bv5kbo472ZcwPzOrM6fS61vm47QHQ-_wDZAm7vMan6fCFoLVSHBQzrZypC1XBJL1s3DOd-SvzdZYxCWu4YDWQybTQ/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpgrFXwN-vX2th_Wav5IBuPEKSEHLtZi0K0N5pWbeUa9WdlR_R-bv5kbo472ZcwPzOrM6fS61vm47QHQ-_wDZAm7vMan6fCFoLVSHBQzrZypC1XBJL1s3DOd-SvzdZYxCWu4YDWQybTQ/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Fk-f_kbotqX-shihGM1nNUsRMhzDYB3Am5Rl4QJ1qRRn-UfBMFrmhjIkoXlVv6KGYcXCCRwFYa9Ht5aJxxoxch94epWdIcYZMk9UXcmfqVOXsD3lHDEX_0fKPwlUfc6h7fKXHjY0jw/s1600/IMG_1763.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="747" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-Fk-f_kbotqX-shihGM1nNUsRMhzDYB3Am5Rl4QJ1qRRn-UfBMFrmhjIkoXlVv6KGYcXCCRwFYa9Ht5aJxxoxch94epWdIcYZMk9UXcmfqVOXsD3lHDEX_0fKPwlUfc6h7fKXHjY0jw/s640/IMG_1763.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved her home. She and Victor built a home filled deeply with love, history, and meaning. Their home is a masterpiece of warmth and beauty where every corner is filled with Linda’s personal touch. Linda and Victor made an awesome team. Linda had clever, creative ideas and Victor’s handiness helped make them happen. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LPVhLPkwTN2VzYO0_Jhbexhi0DURHoOQrST_2eykPYYCdC3nKPZUhC0V_0zOhl3tbhjbZzS-QJl_h4q2OdyngkoIsBxnCmvZ6w8EwjMDs6EXKc64rcjE-H8ycjTTwhyd7dDpVVLEpls/s1600/IMG_1762.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="750" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LPVhLPkwTN2VzYO0_Jhbexhi0DURHoOQrST_2eykPYYCdC3nKPZUhC0V_0zOhl3tbhjbZzS-QJl_h4q2OdyngkoIsBxnCmvZ6w8EwjMDs6EXKc64rcjE-H8ycjTTwhyd7dDpVVLEpls/s640/IMG_1762.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWaI3kMlqinikf16Y8lAh7gPGynvKVo4tV6S7H7huC4N_TRq83Mpsj4O6ObXWoGhflIjSIsRy_a58RYLQTwwbMAsdGacUYEsgXKJXnHRdSfERMtHaz_Orhxnvq0xEjBfwEissAttPknU/s1600/IMG_1761.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="750" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWaI3kMlqinikf16Y8lAh7gPGynvKVo4tV6S7H7huC4N_TRq83Mpsj4O6ObXWoGhflIjSIsRy_a58RYLQTwwbMAsdGacUYEsgXKJXnHRdSfERMtHaz_Orhxnvq0xEjBfwEissAttPknU/s320/IMG_1761.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zKcK9TL_QnSqP96zo4uaMbiB9_OcthQpy8fAuKhvWGeZ4RnjYNFBdShPCays9aHfGb0Yj_AESxkixytUNMIxNlpyNzT1jAlQT3jc9XIOEkzV0WslJBITptpmKGZIyXxw2y4DCgL1HbQ/s1600/IMG_1773.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="745" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zKcK9TL_QnSqP96zo4uaMbiB9_OcthQpy8fAuKhvWGeZ4RnjYNFBdShPCays9aHfGb0Yj_AESxkixytUNMIxNlpyNzT1jAlQT3jc9XIOEkzV0WslJBITptpmKGZIyXxw2y4DCgL1HbQ/s640/IMG_1773.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved to write. Shy by nature, Linda bravely shared herself through written language. She touched countless people through her blog. She inspired many by exposing her vulnerability in hopes to help others. She found her blog to be therapeutic as it served as an outlet for her feelings. Her genuine thoughts are now a precious gift left to her children in her own words.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0rl0-OgnhH1w1oixImozW8_84tC47yOKAEM37RSNqDTQnMRQ9L0fjVo9lHGz6rjjVaTDLyeKSLCVMX3LDfuXI8HnGmBD_md7K6lMI_gjyV9Krp970wE611hyrfQOyHGMBqFf9H4WJz8/s1600/IMG_1786.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="943" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0rl0-OgnhH1w1oixImozW8_84tC47yOKAEM37RSNqDTQnMRQ9L0fjVo9lHGz6rjjVaTDLyeKSLCVMX3LDfuXI8HnGmBD_md7K6lMI_gjyV9Krp970wE611hyrfQOyHGMBqFf9H4WJz8/s640/IMG_1786.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR88uOVgwrGx4e7pU8ZYQAWhzMwhupW5gG1kbN8HcUYHRiTKwZB8jHLWpvd-fRUk4Ck51yqr4XiHDO8GRte5zApWvDfFg034EzRiaxF3CHWF14X-o19RBpVBy4utWMSqxJOGEceKjsmxM/s1600/IMG_1128.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR88uOVgwrGx4e7pU8ZYQAWhzMwhupW5gG1kbN8HcUYHRiTKwZB8jHLWpvd-fRUk4Ck51yqr4XiHDO8GRte5zApWvDfFg034EzRiaxF3CHWF14X-o19RBpVBy4utWMSqxJOGEceKjsmxM/s320/IMG_1128.PNG" width="304" /></a></div>
</div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved music. She loved anything from John Denver to gospel to Sara Bareilles. Sometimes music gave her extra pep in her day and sometimes it helped ease her mind. Her music served as a source of comfort on stressful trips to Dana Farber. Although Linda was not a dancer, she had an ear like a choreographer. My iPod is full of music that Linda would send me for choreography ideas. She always felt proud when I used </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">her suggestions for special pieces. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e692rkI_t9TvFIudha8t7iDhflHJ-IAVtJp5_G0kNY1kKV-oKtlPGlz_XgWd1idTESNXzRoE5RK5mbe6r1JvGvG0qwgNV3mhUP_V1IWdP3cTiVHWgaiel5q0qMOBMo1EunpufMuHeDo/s1600/IMG_7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e692rkI_t9TvFIudha8t7iDhflHJ-IAVtJp5_G0kNY1kKV-oKtlPGlz_XgWd1idTESNXzRoE5RK5mbe6r1JvGvG0qwgNV3mhUP_V1IWdP3cTiVHWgaiel5q0qMOBMo1EunpufMuHeDo/s400/IMG_7012.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBo1zOwP71C1ksxvYWtZ5wSx6Hg9GSGZZYwZi0S29QEqpEvhH98RnOywHYEEjPSuq4ve16vOy2ULQ6qHfRjp_wfmLtl1UmMTXhDtY81a4pbQhgu8VR93MuaxwdlRscqsUdSGxxOTwnvk/s1600/IMG_6862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBo1zOwP71C1ksxvYWtZ5wSx6Hg9GSGZZYwZi0S29QEqpEvhH98RnOywHYEEjPSuq4ve16vOy2ULQ6qHfRjp_wfmLtl1UmMTXhDtY81a4pbQhgu8VR93MuaxwdlRscqsUdSGxxOTwnvk/s640/IMG_6862.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6zqLm4PAfcqryv6I1pbR3w65ZmnSvWdZkcluNcboljjPRrCjgUeOANQGZ0A8lNaNokWN-9u1U-DREc5607fbmi1GkFnVYRrvyZNBa2jljdPKefo1UEkB1FYewomDr58bPHA0E4JVSAE/s1600/IMG_6152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6zqLm4PAfcqryv6I1pbR3w65ZmnSvWdZkcluNcboljjPRrCjgUeOANQGZ0A8lNaNokWN-9u1U-DREc5607fbmi1GkFnVYRrvyZNBa2jljdPKefo1UEkB1FYewomDr58bPHA0E4JVSAE/s320/IMG_6152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42Vrb4Wvjjo9PsmnONOpHWKAIubSd8bLrlbXJvR07IiGOQY7K1d5u_LCKvHyCzD4MPROCzQ7vKJn4JoDzeGTDOrpI-G0zNV4rsnTm-Tw34ce2iBq0ldVwqhnxpF4zt6hkiup6GdQ-WuA/s1600/IMG_6153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42Vrb4Wvjjo9PsmnONOpHWKAIubSd8bLrlbXJvR07IiGOQY7K1d5u_LCKvHyCzD4MPROCzQ7vKJn4JoDzeGTDOrpI-G0zNV4rsnTm-Tw34ce2iBq0ldVwqhnxpF4zt6hkiup6GdQ-WuA/s640/IMG_6153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbrBLBqgNVa6o4juzERjhQFForwk9VnqHuzlMnausQ_6wX2o4XWJDm2E0TLO1rltTqZE15fJ66AOrw9tgdT0SSXjhUmfNgqbbfVyp-u4jEYd1rT1a47zDOIxa5aeb9xT_fNqOOEZYzrs/s1600/IMG_6769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbrBLBqgNVa6o4juzERjhQFForwk9VnqHuzlMnausQ_6wX2o4XWJDm2E0TLO1rltTqZE15fJ66AOrw9tgdT0SSXjhUmfNgqbbfVyp-u4jEYd1rT1a47zDOIxa5aeb9xT_fNqOOEZYzrs/s200/IMG_6769.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xY_8aRdo7hjqdznEQnt5sAhf-cwxKrU5QFC4yhuTq-T4VI_QYE1FmKyY3NAE7MoySqkTg5COJmikqzl5ADtDw-II6tw4TKMEM5alX-RvlYPiseadhvgq5_QaunOBAeK3-uhyphenhyphenChclHWQ/s1600/IMG_6766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xY_8aRdo7hjqdznEQnt5sAhf-cwxKrU5QFC4yhuTq-T4VI_QYE1FmKyY3NAE7MoySqkTg5COJmikqzl5ADtDw-II6tw4TKMEM5alX-RvlYPiseadhvgq5_QaunOBAeK3-uhyphenhyphenChclHWQ/s640/IMG_6766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved God and her church, where generations of her family have gathered to pray, celebrate, and grieve. Linda, Victor, and the kids attended weekly mass where she found comfort and peace.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved her friends. She held her friends close, enjoyed their company, and kept them dear to her heart. A number of times, Linda expressed to me that until she got sick, she never realized just how many people considered her a friend. She was very touched by the overwhelming support of all of her friends. The love of Linda's friends helped to lift her in very tough times. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrAjB5ZYLbokTuUTg28IQRmfHEXqahkfGpzniRoIJDzE3AljyuRg4GmULbREVeEecMKzWkb4dRv9iuBu9s5-RIprhIaqwL813jjhD3Ify30gK49Z4JMPbjb54zIVnkVGuVxtTW_3yWwc/s1600/IMG_2857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrAjB5ZYLbokTuUTg28IQRmfHEXqahkfGpzniRoIJDzE3AljyuRg4GmULbREVeEecMKzWkb4dRv9iuBu9s5-RIprhIaqwL813jjhD3Ify30gK49Z4JMPbjb54zIVnkVGuVxtTW_3yWwc/s400/IMG_2857.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVvkL10Y4Bx6IHhOHUp_fznmNEOKv2bhMaXGc83EXItEVnwWIYeRxsvoKtAGehfTxJAuIvJqtp71adPI3l9gh62PDVdzbmTc2B11I6e1L8OTfAvW5DxkuWc25-hInTj7sBfA1twInDDY/s1600/IMG_1776.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="750" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVvkL10Y4Bx6IHhOHUp_fznmNEOKv2bhMaXGc83EXItEVnwWIYeRxsvoKtAGehfTxJAuIvJqtp71adPI3l9gh62PDVdzbmTc2B11I6e1L8OTfAvW5DxkuWc25-hInTj7sBfA1twInDDY/s320/IMG_1776.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmX7KICLTij8VIZnCc6XSiyU9K00Ou2u8p6Oh9aXrS4iDJWs0UpnnOwFyEeIb1z3TeAGvcvmyY41AUikiPcEmWzYJuVP1r_8WDuUk0zRJyl2KeKIcVrmVPhHXLRa8TlQo6HThiG0xNoo/s1600/IMG_7706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmX7KICLTij8VIZnCc6XSiyU9K00Ou2u8p6Oh9aXrS4iDJWs0UpnnOwFyEeIb1z3TeAGvcvmyY41AUikiPcEmWzYJuVP1r_8WDuUk0zRJyl2KeKIcVrmVPhHXLRa8TlQo6HThiG0xNoo/s400/IMG_7706.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLc_aAxizvXku0FT8-CpWbCIQ6jt99C6x3ls_3_pwsaPXm93gEa0Ri9TqVTAlxlBBsUK3uDt2931Da47CBJyhz9RDSiUgUxhaKsArE-Xoly6ufsv2HNkiD0R4AmN3YoMA3Il-Wlo7xUWI/s1600/IMG_9076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLc_aAxizvXku0FT8-CpWbCIQ6jt99C6x3ls_3_pwsaPXm93gEa0Ri9TqVTAlxlBBsUK3uDt2931Da47CBJyhz9RDSiUgUxhaKsArE-Xoly6ufsv2HNkiD0R4AmN3YoMA3Il-Wlo7xUWI/s320/IMG_9076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPAvcMvyaOjF5Y7PV7xPB3fLbAXYJHdTlhuXtcFFLk662rST-n0ZBKI5y8ZpA9a6Iri3ycMg5vPtVe2tfMhFznmi6PYA5lAFa9PcBzb_YgNrL1_K4XT5V_3cMwBR6MeROXTGcjapYagg/s1600/1716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="640" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPAvcMvyaOjF5Y7PV7xPB3fLbAXYJHdTlhuXtcFFLk662rST-n0ZBKI5y8ZpA9a6Iri3ycMg5vPtVe2tfMhFznmi6PYA5lAFa9PcBzb_YgNrL1_K4XT5V_3cMwBR6MeROXTGcjapYagg/s400/1716.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of all, Linda loved her family. Family gatherings with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were the highlights of her childhood. Linda had a strong sense of where she came from and spoke often of her Memere and Pepere Tetreault and Memere and Pepere LeClair. Linda had the fondest memories of family vacations to places like Maine and Disney. As an adult, Linda opened up her home to be the common gathering place for her family. She and Vic hosted cousins, aunts and uncles and other extended family for holidays, birthdays, and summer cookouts. Linda was fortunate to have a large family that expressed to her how much she meant to them. We often talked about what a blessing it is to know how loved you are. Linda was very aware of the gift of her family. </span></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxC8CgEc1_LEKaMhtrjra45P0pz88eNuGT7CVn5oHZn3vG3JxPfE-jmeA9Nvmn8tOxf9b4LFhVCqYiJa11IC09887KzJ2YIEApKX0TlbMyRCs4ZA3CbfYpzVYhYmthz4h76kS6E_DywU/s1600/IMG_9476.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxC8CgEc1_LEKaMhtrjra45P0pz88eNuGT7CVn5oHZn3vG3JxPfE-jmeA9Nvmn8tOxf9b4LFhVCqYiJa11IC09887KzJ2YIEApKX0TlbMyRCs4ZA3CbfYpzVYhYmthz4h76kS6E_DywU/s400/IMG_9476.CR2" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNPeSGKBfSxNNW74BRt8-SjYVZcQPED0xnRQlorimRaC7tR6SSOSgE-sBL1Vs7dnTHJZqYAeORlO50Ac0B-Zd81EAOvL34mV_KP7GA6bQFlciwvULCp_Y_ZZ18XJ1zKzcLOrlREyhfnk/s1600/521076723.663777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNPeSGKBfSxNNW74BRt8-SjYVZcQPED0xnRQlorimRaC7tR6SSOSgE-sBL1Vs7dnTHJZqYAeORlO50Ac0B-Zd81EAOvL34mV_KP7GA6bQFlciwvULCp_Y_ZZ18XJ1zKzcLOrlREyhfnk/s400/521076723.663777.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw9gWjqvybI9q-__FN2mlkGCEzv6yj6hJ3E_rTQxVwU5ueZs-0XvcRQiZegdRE2wQ-QG2Up2SAMg2BlGDDAqzZTFAzBrPLC8u-K9JAkSsFFpWBLsyXxOGj11qhWFC-zq-6svChjZfWtI/s1600/IMG_8913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw9gWjqvybI9q-__FN2mlkGCEzv6yj6hJ3E_rTQxVwU5ueZs-0XvcRQiZegdRE2wQ-QG2Up2SAMg2BlGDDAqzZTFAzBrPLC8u-K9JAkSsFFpWBLsyXxOGj11qhWFC-zq-6svChjZfWtI/s320/IMG_8913.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodqzkBq9QLdMcJjX7_sjk533hSeF_0hfgNsepljzJPNVGy98fs2t4LVl3HnspWIfm8qwBDO9spSfm_6JDTbW1TIk-BcsR3Hu1GynHm0Ukgs_CaEqDyjg-eRYMgKv-NeIib0gP10KPvN4/s1600/1499382259017-89476f27-96ec-444e-b152-a5834d37925c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodqzkBq9QLdMcJjX7_sjk533hSeF_0hfgNsepljzJPNVGy98fs2t4LVl3HnspWIfm8qwBDO9spSfm_6JDTbW1TIk-BcsR3Hu1GynHm0Ukgs_CaEqDyjg-eRYMgKv-NeIib0gP10KPvN4/s400/1499382259017-89476f27-96ec-444e-b152-a5834d37925c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul-8qD_h92EBIS3VZm0S5CHVso4avSDeXjYhWOZa9xiPN6V3B5U2icHmonD04AZcvnrMCKbWTyzd8TaXwy5t9l4cSBkzWWb4ijgQjwvmmWhIOUm5KaEGtd1SDJFm3TUx0PslGflMOrKA/s1600/1499384787253-d67e14bb-ea48-43e9-9703-00473f50b71e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul-8qD_h92EBIS3VZm0S5CHVso4avSDeXjYhWOZa9xiPN6V3B5U2icHmonD04AZcvnrMCKbWTyzd8TaXwy5t9l4cSBkzWWb4ijgQjwvmmWhIOUm5KaEGtd1SDJFm3TUx0PslGflMOrKA/s640/1499384787253-d67e14bb-ea48-43e9-9703-00473f50b71e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved Victor’s family. Sunday family dinners were filled with food, drink, laughter, and love. She respected their strong sense of family and felt honored to be a part of it. Linda hoped to someday travel to Portugal to meet Victor’s relatives and see where he was born. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVOEWV0IMTII4zvCPuJU8AHJhIOaNaTpeJG6SWKVfc8j5AehUeyRYsC1HqR_hhbzQzF9_HZqpn4WMfQI-uRUU6Bgr1XjIlyMlt-4Jlx-lZrQ97qLJyJ6Ss1tUsIELpR8jT4ub9-rY1v4/s1600/image0000021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVOEWV0IMTII4zvCPuJU8AHJhIOaNaTpeJG6SWKVfc8j5AehUeyRYsC1HqR_hhbzQzF9_HZqpn4WMfQI-uRUU6Bgr1XjIlyMlt-4Jlx-lZrQ97qLJyJ6Ss1tUsIELpR8jT4ub9-rY1v4/s640/image0000021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynKUH6_VfL7Adzxpkc6pvS8w2LI01hP1D1Ok-HCdlN-r3A8EPVzIXhItAkcNL81luuy3NaBZWJqhszaXr7cBy_e5W8qwwcg0ouWzoYSfpX2X4z005mF2dS_2VPR3OWeQnP2ASuJXp9Og/s1600/IMG_8780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynKUH6_VfL7Adzxpkc6pvS8w2LI01hP1D1Ok-HCdlN-r3A8EPVzIXhItAkcNL81luuy3NaBZWJqhszaXr7cBy_e5W8qwwcg0ouWzoYSfpX2X4z005mF2dS_2VPR3OWeQnP2ASuJXp9Og/s320/IMG_8780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved her nephews. She embraced each one of them with wonder and joy as they entered the world and then celebrated every milestone with them since. She made time out of her busy life for them and planned fun, special things to do with them. There were always fun things to do at Auntie Linda’s house. </span></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmXVtXyGxFLRpSfXuV3Xn-y8hJHuhxMF2L4riAs1nowOjyo0Z7QNF3t9jbOCleobKRkyhvppLUmWPj8t_698V9DxIxurKis7OOWz_NlncnBhZZSm9fSfk9v-U9LEYbzBgagWa4-FlN7A/s1600/IMG_1366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmXVtXyGxFLRpSfXuV3Xn-y8hJHuhxMF2L4riAs1nowOjyo0Z7QNF3t9jbOCleobKRkyhvppLUmWPj8t_698V9DxIxurKis7OOWz_NlncnBhZZSm9fSfk9v-U9LEYbzBgagWa4-FlN7A/s400/IMG_1366.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYqDXfjDgDeUGeW4wyrOHcBJJcj4-xOYGSSPG2jzjakDE9esVbZcvSvAvOJs2xX6uJu3FBjLFrIrRO_gn6gO7y4VsuGkrgZuisI8TCWQgvEpAd4S7BUJEF3uIzrR_wlSpmbyykrUVPqQ/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYqDXfjDgDeUGeW4wyrOHcBJJcj4-xOYGSSPG2jzjakDE9esVbZcvSvAvOJs2xX6uJu3FBjLFrIrRO_gn6gO7y4VsuGkrgZuisI8TCWQgvEpAd4S7BUJEF3uIzrR_wlSpmbyykrUVPqQ/s640/IMG_1324.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1554" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dlB8wkMRqcU6YzeXT44kcoSgKBGWZ3EkGe9zKHUTc8SqtRwcFSqX0XEgAwlHoT-2xaiszGaLSy3XN-9fi3_69nDmrRXEGon4h5YjPBS7m0bSR3wprO5R-n8CVg6LDOstOpOuIKQUnQg/s320/caleb%252C+evan%252C+and+me.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8Rcah2JvoFuYRWAH0A8aTrugJYR2y_bScjKJQz-jeS6g0N5GWZirMHx223VYms_6_M8j_WPWPKEem7R6e-79VQEX8bPDMU0YFVXn0GKwhydyVyxQhRJvPP0qzShfBKedbkBXq7Xmous/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8Rcah2JvoFuYRWAH0A8aTrugJYR2y_bScjKJQz-jeS6g0N5GWZirMHx223VYms_6_M8j_WPWPKEem7R6e-79VQEX8bPDMU0YFVXn0GKwhydyVyxQhRJvPP0qzShfBKedbkBXq7Xmous/s400/IMG_3825.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_R6LmCdlifmF4mXrukNewO5gtOX9rdb1MVvgWKCsGSa-jGfXx3z3p_XlMNk_3HXQK8w54-MP-1KXLckReKluNnNQjc8PBtSslls0Nuldr7rtnbjFMwD1RR-b-Zh4AK3Z-cekxJh7FP0/s1600/IMG_8978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_R6LmCdlifmF4mXrukNewO5gtOX9rdb1MVvgWKCsGSa-jGfXx3z3p_XlMNk_3HXQK8w54-MP-1KXLckReKluNnNQjc8PBtSslls0Nuldr7rtnbjFMwD1RR-b-Zh4AK3Z-cekxJh7FP0/s320/IMG_8978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved me and my family. Not only have Linda and I been through quite a lot together, but our families have as well. Linda often commented that our children acted more like siblings than friends. Long before boyfriends, husbands, children, and selfies, Linda and I began to develop a bond that would grow into something truly beautiful and rare. Our hearts are connected in a way that I cannot put into words. We understood each other without the need for language. A few years ago Linda decided that “BFF” was not enough to describe us and she started to call us “Soul Sisters”... I am profoundly grateful for the time we shared here on Earth and I pray that her beautiful soul will be eternally connected with mine. </span></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA9nB4WmnPIHIICyYOQvEp3Xt1CiEyy2y-B-xUcIamvKISm3S_P-5xqwXGz_1aZsUT7khxkNqERZg3vTJRz7jNaZgOG4cGfidP4n-ir4U3d8J-owgJSPnc66h2TcA6rUVm_CAv2N-6F8/s1600/1703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA9nB4WmnPIHIICyYOQvEp3Xt1CiEyy2y-B-xUcIamvKISm3S_P-5xqwXGz_1aZsUT7khxkNqERZg3vTJRz7jNaZgOG4cGfidP4n-ir4U3d8J-owgJSPnc66h2TcA6rUVm_CAv2N-6F8/s320/1703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue_rizfNqyTW6i25xU9UdVJ5yKtQs5QAyDWKBa7sqmXqYYdZsvrdpzNDnpjcpeJrmwt4bugqmcgUPPuQ0giDtKdpkVrfhrUpWn1qgoYrPZug3QmtZJG1EnYSRl6JPVNMACAvzZheN40k/s1600/IMG_8892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjue_rizfNqyTW6i25xU9UdVJ5yKtQs5QAyDWKBa7sqmXqYYdZsvrdpzNDnpjcpeJrmwt4bugqmcgUPPuQ0giDtKdpkVrfhrUpWn1qgoYrPZug3QmtZJG1EnYSRl6JPVNMACAvzZheN40k/s640/IMG_8892.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxo-8t3Ielq9Gf6_TkNtDdjk-mmj95aMUs9OYKNDcU38KeWZ35lGwQVARwNUc2r93p-m9wCIw2_zn1g6HzNrkyjomvKOKR01HOvGqnRVXEMwUE1kLNHugvzA3Y2vGjuLiPcgkog59RpE/s1600/IMG_9322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="873" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxo-8t3Ielq9Gf6_TkNtDdjk-mmj95aMUs9OYKNDcU38KeWZ35lGwQVARwNUc2r93p-m9wCIw2_zn1g6HzNrkyjomvKOKR01HOvGqnRVXEMwUE1kLNHugvzA3Y2vGjuLiPcgkog59RpE/s320/IMG_9322.JPG" width="309" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavTQdlkEnpOBjth5G-CyyQxdb2HlhJVnIYBCAts2K5tdLxz_33alhH1v5MSrhjAI9-Jny_ovBPdPpEXBJAtSLfHsnhi4N-SKlYJQKUffMpqqCuO3jV0fTFbznae1Bq8ABTO8VwSGGrXY/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavTQdlkEnpOBjth5G-CyyQxdb2HlhJVnIYBCAts2K5tdLxz_33alhH1v5MSrhjAI9-Jny_ovBPdPpEXBJAtSLfHsnhi4N-SKlYJQKUffMpqqCuO3jV0fTFbznae1Bq8ABTO8VwSGGrXY/s640/IMG_1788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN-PuklkgnYXmzDeOcSSpsB8NIOdSiXEYmplSpLyPwVitAVsobIjmmDt8leKp1g-aO-8RhqehoLlNFdjrf3aHBePV2BYMklJcycVQOLIwQolpDaEokC7mC8nSaCInoYtCTHEWouXyerk/s1600/IMG_5315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN-PuklkgnYXmzDeOcSSpsB8NIOdSiXEYmplSpLyPwVitAVsobIjmmDt8leKp1g-aO-8RhqehoLlNFdjrf3aHBePV2BYMklJcycVQOLIwQolpDaEokC7mC8nSaCInoYtCTHEWouXyerk/s320/IMG_5315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_dgkGXdENEE8NkVbuhFJWwo-ajjrEP-dN6JkUI7Ld85Po8JXk41on0ScA3VgH2nvxDdslInQC5LKB0wwCkHrNK_zhukG9AZ3AfG1H-8c3oI5qJbtdaRBssTLvZYoAuFM4Js_SOCHqEM/s1600/IMG_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_dgkGXdENEE8NkVbuhFJWwo-ajjrEP-dN6JkUI7Ld85Po8JXk41on0ScA3VgH2nvxDdslInQC5LKB0wwCkHrNK_zhukG9AZ3AfG1H-8c3oI5qJbtdaRBssTLvZYoAuFM4Js_SOCHqEM/s400/IMG_1792.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved being a big sister to her brothers Ron and Jeff. She was wildly protective of them and was their confidant, adviser and loving friend. Linda thought the world of her brothers and always kept a special place in her heart for them. Linda was proud of the men they have become and spoke fondly of them to others. She prayed for their happiness and was thankful that Jeff has Michelle and Ronnie has his three boys. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93KalHZh8YLJB_IM6l0BDS19nspg9ve6i0GRlOzbkNEPFk_Trr8hLYGTJSEiqUk6QGYxa34IVRWbDYEEojh9zGwazQ59Xv8fJZ5ob6RREVlB0cX97h_kDHwaKwnMQuVwZZYuVEG-n6Lk/s1600/521075874.852461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93KalHZh8YLJB_IM6l0BDS19nspg9ve6i0GRlOzbkNEPFk_Trr8hLYGTJSEiqUk6QGYxa34IVRWbDYEEojh9zGwazQ59Xv8fJZ5ob6RREVlB0cX97h_kDHwaKwnMQuVwZZYuVEG-n6Lk/s320/521075874.852461.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-g1ZNnQEr0C7lZNNg29Cj9Lc-PIqzqDtOvFMrSIYCDjOam6WYc1RZhyRxP4BBFY3NMw3QTrCgFVNrX-6AhLnxMrV36x-1yxqTCuYXddrrn_jVCk5L7SSe-Vc8suClm2rQwWXQviQFtU/s1600/IMG_9246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-g1ZNnQEr0C7lZNNg29Cj9Lc-PIqzqDtOvFMrSIYCDjOam6WYc1RZhyRxP4BBFY3NMw3QTrCgFVNrX-6AhLnxMrV36x-1yxqTCuYXddrrn_jVCk5L7SSe-Vc8suClm2rQwWXQviQFtU/s400/IMG_9246.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiqTHADJ4RtEcCguL7pW5b5J7JaND5y7TStJOj7x-VCDaZMKzppoPPWzq2CWJ_YzsmUw_UWdIf1GovFGYroGtxj9fSerZLgoUcOQOhzh2xgN0GSB7Khiye9Ojz-Kyr7QxYGrfgB-iqYY/s1600/1499381694470-7e0d466f-00ea-43cf-b47e-c11066b233a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiqTHADJ4RtEcCguL7pW5b5J7JaND5y7TStJOj7x-VCDaZMKzppoPPWzq2CWJ_YzsmUw_UWdIf1GovFGYroGtxj9fSerZLgoUcOQOhzh2xgN0GSB7Khiye9Ojz-Kyr7QxYGrfgB-iqYY/s320/1499381694470-7e0d466f-00ea-43cf-b47e-c11066b233a8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAj1jpV9FZRQbSk5pSbQ4FsSTvTsAEaMEWk0qoP4oAgwZbMskGCyMtjEJK-Yt-eGNOCFFA4TkHPAkwLh96HXLYyXE3ZQM2HjvTzrrCLFfYMRzFqicklmPgPfkLHIrVmqQCN9RhQvArHY/s1600/1499383389442-55388d8c-7a26-4cff-8866-8fe29f1ca4f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAj1jpV9FZRQbSk5pSbQ4FsSTvTsAEaMEWk0qoP4oAgwZbMskGCyMtjEJK-Yt-eGNOCFFA4TkHPAkwLh96HXLYyXE3ZQM2HjvTzrrCLFfYMRzFqicklmPgPfkLHIrVmqQCN9RhQvArHY/s400/1499383389442-55388d8c-7a26-4cff-8866-8fe29f1ca4f3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCBZjZNAtrnj-_5qc6q1mM94iqCvOrNIiACuYNuN6jFrPURfSgDjZvnp2nJAat6-T0Y8QIsmfPTIyXDUX_l5CgrsUxH1xSE01wka77ocGZ40GuF9vYkIMoBTjkk-kftfLyMcDJXKX2rU/s1600/1499384821939-000932c6-2819-406b-833f-d1f5b0397b1f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1340" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCBZjZNAtrnj-_5qc6q1mM94iqCvOrNIiACuYNuN6jFrPURfSgDjZvnp2nJAat6-T0Y8QIsmfPTIyXDUX_l5CgrsUxH1xSE01wka77ocGZ40GuF9vYkIMoBTjkk-kftfLyMcDJXKX2rU/s640/1499384821939-000932c6-2819-406b-833f-d1f5b0397b1f.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved her parents Ron and Jan. Jan was Linda’s best friend, confidant, and biggest ally. Linda was painfully shy as a child and often had trouble separating from her mother. Even as an adult, Linda felt most secure when her mom was nearby. Linda absolutely adored her father. At 44 years old, Linda was still very much Daddy’s little girl. Linda's parents moved into the house next door (which they own) less than a month before she passed. Linda's face lit up anytime her parents’ new living situation was mentioned. She found peace knowing that her mom and dad would now be so close to her and her family. Linda knew that she had the most amazing, wonderful parents. She was beyond grateful for her happy childhood and all the love and support that she had received from her mom and dad for her entire life. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpgRahXBkh8tpVvV-IFnDHzOqGoAb0ThztVBkqVZCGizxAjBoccNqFR6i0Nm94XfiKdqnFC8qO8kgceOoeD9c42gEz_kbxGVsuLOAiM4lcAMLnLGSisthAZNhXXfAG1tQgk2PlaEEcRw/s1600/1499382666186-61bc3570-fa0e-4da9-9d22-d01c6c12a310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpgRahXBkh8tpVvV-IFnDHzOqGoAb0ThztVBkqVZCGizxAjBoccNqFR6i0Nm94XfiKdqnFC8qO8kgceOoeD9c42gEz_kbxGVsuLOAiM4lcAMLnLGSisthAZNhXXfAG1tQgk2PlaEEcRw/s320/1499382666186-61bc3570-fa0e-4da9-9d22-d01c6c12a310.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUje1cnmrz0PHLZN6g9ns8fxErqR7iiYf6603ixZ8FkaDTLCHu8roJHOX0hwxWHUkD4jtMt6ee-_7wuyBRQ_TnhBtF97kQ_5LnP0nVG1YOJ9Q2Y3uE-2HNXkyY2ROlgT8KQJiSv_UFnAw/s1600/IMG_2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="646" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUje1cnmrz0PHLZN6g9ns8fxErqR7iiYf6603ixZ8FkaDTLCHu8roJHOX0hwxWHUkD4jtMt6ee-_7wuyBRQ_TnhBtF97kQ_5LnP0nVG1YOJ9Q2Y3uE-2HNXkyY2ROlgT8KQJiSv_UFnAw/s200/IMG_2171.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9KWQA85gT04klVTpN_ZfMTDPb0C_3Rne7wl1b6ufE9fZZN0BWk2NCXOUQcDoKwwDJwwCAQvzlu_sfwHe-QCeQYFpMFuQynKnhjSmb_Nsao9WctaMxGoJC36CqhSuvd60kzGQNDGvXG4/s1600/1499383417606-8f8058d5-aef6-4b71-ab6c-5c25baec0cec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9KWQA85gT04klVTpN_ZfMTDPb0C_3Rne7wl1b6ufE9fZZN0BWk2NCXOUQcDoKwwDJwwCAQvzlu_sfwHe-QCeQYFpMFuQynKnhjSmb_Nsao9WctaMxGoJC36CqhSuvd60kzGQNDGvXG4/s400/1499383417606-8f8058d5-aef6-4b71-ab6c-5c25baec0cec.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoerYtTxjqCCbdOjx-QinairbNF-cHTKHP8qJ1wXnR_sJoaO6EtHKaTVKRwryETw5O3fRXZTsYSphF9xSQU6qO2FoBmbpD3iuFKKtBy3LHt1Nzo4r0eDmLE4a0jbb8nWbJUc0dcbJBus/s1600/521076823.858955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoerYtTxjqCCbdOjx-QinairbNF-cHTKHP8qJ1wXnR_sJoaO6EtHKaTVKRwryETw5O3fRXZTsYSphF9xSQU6qO2FoBmbpD3iuFKKtBy3LHt1Nzo4r0eDmLE4a0jbb8nWbJUc0dcbJBus/s320/521076823.858955.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPg675qEw-h2ZhthJ35wfze7GIumj7rbBmrJq6loIO7jKa8QY-nW5seTnkIdQYRJg8Y9AX0KpZIwH7rUUYCrnXiN6fI_WXRrEzb_Z6DENQc0B2FKPCC6ACAi9rERJL5fYOD_oubN5Tsc/s1600/IMG_7528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPg675qEw-h2ZhthJ35wfze7GIumj7rbBmrJq6loIO7jKa8QY-nW5seTnkIdQYRJg8Y9AX0KpZIwH7rUUYCrnXiN6fI_WXRrEzb_Z6DENQc0B2FKPCC6ACAi9rERJL5fYOD_oubN5Tsc/s320/IMG_7528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUT5JfL26bsAA-J2YY3a7sM6nmOkMNBSPhrFexGDOtQ-_n1mxU92qIAahE3XtKEiycBUEuhtgT58_D3d2JKl_bzNJZq1cIH83TJQqrK9CaQYfdsefLXiszlti_bNYNWhaFq7pFbc0QxoE/s1600/63820256-E788-4871-9626-7CABD967BE22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUT5JfL26bsAA-J2YY3a7sM6nmOkMNBSPhrFexGDOtQ-_n1mxU92qIAahE3XtKEiycBUEuhtgT58_D3d2JKl_bzNJZq1cIH83TJQqrK9CaQYfdsefLXiszlti_bNYNWhaFq7pFbc0QxoE/s400/63820256-E788-4871-9626-7CABD967BE22.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved being a mom. She entered motherhood through much heartache and struggle. She understood that often times, out of our greatest struggle comes our largest rewards. Evan and Kaia were by far the largest rewards in Linda’s life. She selflessly gave her children all of herself. Linda was profoundly thankful to Evan and Kaia’s birthparents. Linda understood that through their sacrifice came the greatest gifts that Linda would ever receive. Linda was immensely proud of E and Little Miss for the bright, beautiful, loving children that they are. God made Linda the perfect momma for E and Little Miss.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGmCZZ9n1Ef7kBR71mdLQfxZBbTX-qMmVAqsLD9gg9tlnEOkV5XVKiCHntrmWfwerhYyQ4KJLGfRlf-hbFqzSnMmnMGiQiqQ59gj7paaw8yZVgcNyF6lEN2jbHrjl9d9RAPoRf6GOdwk/s1600/IMG_3559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGmCZZ9n1Ef7kBR71mdLQfxZBbTX-qMmVAqsLD9gg9tlnEOkV5XVKiCHntrmWfwerhYyQ4KJLGfRlf-hbFqzSnMmnMGiQiqQ59gj7paaw8yZVgcNyF6lEN2jbHrjl9d9RAPoRf6GOdwk/s320/IMG_3559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDs_w-bhBTEiGzQrqSUo5CXjHWi19IswEKC3dgbXzSfI3QnZ-i0NcpCpnv7Sv1RZztJu5VlL7kMIvY_O3UIDl__PA3lFIMoA3bOx2j3HsvShvmHI_-INXBRAh-900xWlQiw8e8SFjQVdI/s1600/IMG_5980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDs_w-bhBTEiGzQrqSUo5CXjHWi19IswEKC3dgbXzSfI3QnZ-i0NcpCpnv7Sv1RZztJu5VlL7kMIvY_O3UIDl__PA3lFIMoA3bOx2j3HsvShvmHI_-INXBRAh-900xWlQiw8e8SFjQVdI/s400/IMG_5980.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyADd6MdJDVQju5IZmYCl91tLmGvzT1avfOz8KkbBG6doz79tGWuyycqz56xpsj2KumVWz0_J6cycSsGQp3067Xrpe7PH3_6iISQ7nHGEyzlZyi-c3uJKRSK6mMZNtsDFYku-3w4ti0s8/s1600/me+and+cluck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyADd6MdJDVQju5IZmYCl91tLmGvzT1avfOz8KkbBG6doz79tGWuyycqz56xpsj2KumVWz0_J6cycSsGQp3067Xrpe7PH3_6iISQ7nHGEyzlZyi-c3uJKRSK6mMZNtsDFYku-3w4ti0s8/s320/me+and+cluck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-DL35EbKDdibOPjWr-SuBgUKwILIfd-sacZnwbfPdIh_GJVN_27nDyThCvAzaDwA1hZzwgaXozU_SBc0gGdamrE4S6sBM4X56X1Aiydlk18zA2OifIzCEiWzBnLfd9rAbRcCoCfLLk4/s1600/resize+kaia+and+linda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-DL35EbKDdibOPjWr-SuBgUKwILIfd-sacZnwbfPdIh_GJVN_27nDyThCvAzaDwA1hZzwgaXozU_SBc0gGdamrE4S6sBM4X56X1Aiydlk18zA2OifIzCEiWzBnLfd9rAbRcCoCfLLk4/s320/resize+kaia+and+linda.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOHeyDxsAApjprnEK7SpNaH6gonllimEihQOnp9-H4TLV2D01WGa4ZIcJVSAIJI6JbvYYHzMnelEumHqB8H0sgk3Q7MT7Uz6bga41EklqjNkyDZ7ZcOoxYYrAltwXvgLTmQcVx1O0Z7Q/s1600/IMG_3850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkOHeyDxsAApjprnEK7SpNaH6gonllimEihQOnp9-H4TLV2D01WGa4ZIcJVSAIJI6JbvYYHzMnelEumHqB8H0sgk3Q7MT7Uz6bga41EklqjNkyDZ7ZcOoxYYrAltwXvgLTmQcVx1O0Z7Q/s320/IMG_3850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpW8yA8IgitwOeBUkgobujfyjjznGBiUXp4LEW6PwjmPovGCFazU-gMhdFAFM5AGWvw4htBdpv4rfQIK3mzIajoV7Fu_PV2mUxxUk3oNVCx18nFJbTPoHC5vm6j0I0jGMFPFPyQOM2bc/s1600/IMG_3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpW8yA8IgitwOeBUkgobujfyjjznGBiUXp4LEW6PwjmPovGCFazU-gMhdFAFM5AGWvw4htBdpv4rfQIK3mzIajoV7Fu_PV2mUxxUk3oNVCx18nFJbTPoHC5vm6j0I0jGMFPFPyQOM2bc/s320/IMG_3319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlJCV1a1RVkcWZD1ZAmZPSSqddw-MQwXJtyHRpWIjQkJnPuIbb4fW7F32G3fSX18PaJbMMy7fWM6vs80hMhXJ6yp6I3hiKEENlHfaFHkoQ5VrZG2RG-4WFwnj11ZxZ_ASjBrUcif1Ifw/s1600/IMG_1709.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlJCV1a1RVkcWZD1ZAmZPSSqddw-MQwXJtyHRpWIjQkJnPuIbb4fW7F32G3fSX18PaJbMMy7fWM6vs80hMhXJ6yp6I3hiKEENlHfaFHkoQ5VrZG2RG-4WFwnj11ZxZ_ASjBrUcif1Ifw/s400/IMG_1709.CR2" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1dhet5YiSyeN-uOe23QqcYSwVy54B7d9jGwDUB7yMEkuD35QqqDbZi6P-QPYHZ_aLp6S_scruPtQ6Tymvsn8-bXYzh6teZt2uokCmYKXcb5Q0BALl3NOoVV49jfWca7j6Ez6VTfSQ50/s1600/IMG_9296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1dhet5YiSyeN-uOe23QqcYSwVy54B7d9jGwDUB7yMEkuD35QqqDbZi6P-QPYHZ_aLp6S_scruPtQ6Tymvsn8-bXYzh6teZt2uokCmYKXcb5Q0BALl3NOoVV49jfWca7j6Ez6VTfSQ50/s320/IMG_9296.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda loved her Victor. He was her rock, her light and her love. Linda’s love for Victor stood the test of the hardest of times. During their nearly 21 years of marriage, Victor filled Linda’s heart and gave her closeness, comfort, and security only his love could provide. Despite hardship that no young couple should ever have to endure, Linda and Victor had a happy joyous life filled with much laughter and love. </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaPagaJlTFr7-WS6EVzxYPczkZLGkmgobSHIsbQSFB8ihOKABBiQ5pgwfpLREogr9b9XxJApcE0YmcQTp6uXuqW8GJcIRINqzRmdcXtOpYhMr1_jOCbmJ1pL0gjxN5CzIUdujdIGUons/s1600/1499382130559-1eeee3fc-416c-45d5-a567-4f598671fe5e_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaPagaJlTFr7-WS6EVzxYPczkZLGkmgobSHIsbQSFB8ihOKABBiQ5pgwfpLREogr9b9XxJApcE0YmcQTp6uXuqW8GJcIRINqzRmdcXtOpYhMr1_jOCbmJ1pL0gjxN5CzIUdujdIGUons/s400/1499382130559-1eeee3fc-416c-45d5-a567-4f598671fe5e_.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHTWO2zkflE8stkwh4mYU43pEphgNZrUWmxE3g9uRjLpWJG56d3BA6f5WdJjr7xFf3qOTelwDCdrqw4bM5ilgA5J_1cnTGXVIj7jK_Txgd5n-L6D0p30R32HiVzzPzsCIrUx8vZBoUbw/s1600/IMG_4676.CR2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHTWO2zkflE8stkwh4mYU43pEphgNZrUWmxE3g9uRjLpWJG56d3BA6f5WdJjr7xFf3qOTelwDCdrqw4bM5ilgA5J_1cnTGXVIj7jK_Txgd5n-L6D0p30R32HiVzzPzsCIrUx8vZBoUbw/s400/IMG_4676.CR2" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-MTtCO31U3Idr4BrpZEDyxl89K08TPBAk4MrzaDWOURQKnVJ4kOE7R2QXCEDR7k5sB5UeNWIkg8QdH7Fpoema53G1kdoo7_8cIyWU4R44rbbrFfPxkcZFI7eAvO7eaSzFimraFRtKws/s1600/1499382185515-5f300776-ec80-4955-9989-3e09e888e7f3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-MTtCO31U3Idr4BrpZEDyxl89K08TPBAk4MrzaDWOURQKnVJ4kOE7R2QXCEDR7k5sB5UeNWIkg8QdH7Fpoema53G1kdoo7_8cIyWU4R44rbbrFfPxkcZFI7eAvO7eaSzFimraFRtKws/s320/1499382185515-5f300776-ec80-4955-9989-3e09e888e7f3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjd2bIFk6Pfn5w91Sw35GoNcuzhGNR51TcoNW8yxLO50qXuxQuO-XPIBIa9IzO70nDWfCWgrHSMvvbLI7tVNLBiDcf6pgNdcjz5r3mcx32tAgohM1TybNJTutJGSPh5cBbBoykhck110/s1600/IMG_7680+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjd2bIFk6Pfn5w91Sw35GoNcuzhGNR51TcoNW8yxLO50qXuxQuO-XPIBIa9IzO70nDWfCWgrHSMvvbLI7tVNLBiDcf6pgNdcjz5r3mcx32tAgohM1TybNJTutJGSPh5cBbBoykhck110/s320/IMG_7680+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkBTPoTRbfxx1rjv_9aKWGKDT6XlFK2KA_IRcv3VMiAas9nPko4K944Gu6ZMyBGyF3HgycrWQ31Ro3PdPxc17MBK_gVNUojwwFALl68nIITVTaW9kDIQcAwBBR7GiVAmjHVNOw3r-tGE/s1600/IMG_4537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkBTPoTRbfxx1rjv_9aKWGKDT6XlFK2KA_IRcv3VMiAas9nPko4K944Gu6ZMyBGyF3HgycrWQ31Ro3PdPxc17MBK_gVNUojwwFALl68nIITVTaW9kDIQcAwBBR7GiVAmjHVNOw3r-tGE/s320/IMG_4537.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4CNdVUYWHrku_A-BccuijPe1jCSCiQNGHLz-F1SNJLBL2s1OOKgXgiRKJOZ0lBz0B3Yyb8ZT011qCBETk34RqNtmFWir268SnBtshCnhKMuHFS_LGP1i8gIQKKwLlQQ2kaLIu-zdz18/s1600/1499381742520-a2798539-b755-4234-b4c1-f4829f33dac8_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1407" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4CNdVUYWHrku_A-BccuijPe1jCSCiQNGHLz-F1SNJLBL2s1OOKgXgiRKJOZ0lBz0B3Yyb8ZT011qCBETk34RqNtmFWir268SnBtshCnhKMuHFS_LGP1i8gIQKKwLlQQ2kaLIu-zdz18/s320/1499381742520-a2798539-b755-4234-b4c1-f4829f33dac8_.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgn3DFlC9fWWHNcrajrKbZRebXqqJDRoBDRPRjsR40CJ2sSzXbI3jdwOSdjhJchL5OZOiN1Q5SmxCT5J91hdOMwBRFEhBwDTDtUDbq0twxDIVnf1Ep9-lVphJ-rR_zK-DRuCtSLllVDY/s1600/1499381860066-24713da4-2608-47f3-980d-8760d8aebd15_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgn3DFlC9fWWHNcrajrKbZRebXqqJDRoBDRPRjsR40CJ2sSzXbI3jdwOSdjhJchL5OZOiN1Q5SmxCT5J91hdOMwBRFEhBwDTDtUDbq0twxDIVnf1Ep9-lVphJ-rR_zK-DRuCtSLllVDY/s400/1499381860066-24713da4-2608-47f3-980d-8760d8aebd15_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linda’s greatest legacy is the lives she touched with her loving, giving heart. The ripples of her profound influence on others is infinite. Linda left the Earthly world feeling loved, making others feel loved, and understanding that she made a meaningful, beautiful difference.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyU4a2g_SQ5SU0Iertatf7W-xO_ukYd01PjytjrUG56kYFzrSFpfdal-KSVGj9SNaORLc2qaCdPM8w4ON1bz5Ubx-Ho4mDJpYyW1SvZDCrWk9rhLu53C726GJ4ozlZ5XmXQd2cpu4cVls/s1600/IMG_6941-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyU4a2g_SQ5SU0Iertatf7W-xO_ukYd01PjytjrUG56kYFzrSFpfdal-KSVGj9SNaORLc2qaCdPM8w4ON1bz5Ubx-Ho4mDJpYyW1SvZDCrWk9rhLu53C726GJ4ozlZ5XmXQd2cpu4cVls/s320/IMG_6941-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10L0LNt7C__sSTWVHzByrKg6u6XZIFW6pVT-RdCQpLJq6nl30oWi-D46VoysFOkYx2TJbJ72LKdbtMhwB6acrfULJsB1OIzkaWeaK5LfzjpKmQdhR5III2-jXc9GXg_9x7BdbqXSRvag/s1600/IMG_2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10L0LNt7C__sSTWVHzByrKg6u6XZIFW6pVT-RdCQpLJq6nl30oWi-D46VoysFOkYx2TJbJ72LKdbtMhwB6acrfULJsB1OIzkaWeaK5LfzjpKmQdhR5III2-jXc9GXg_9x7BdbqXSRvag/s640/IMG_2335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE27YyQgN9mv_MIpC-W2RPYV1NqWetbgYbOD2cq8QhKR3n8xQs1VRhvgG3DrdB5EI1rzurh1Q_QBZZylMcWKO1x-mZ2wookYQkbGUQpGEODuhlvygYBsE3fyFNsPJcwijlVWbRK2DSQhc/s1600/family+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="480" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE27YyQgN9mv_MIpC-W2RPYV1NqWetbgYbOD2cq8QhKR3n8xQs1VRhvgG3DrdB5EI1rzurh1Q_QBZZylMcWKO1x-mZ2wookYQkbGUQpGEODuhlvygYBsE3fyFNsPJcwijlVWbRK2DSQhc/s320/family+edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjbCK1JEcN02ATp5xz2LxSpacBcQ2Pl8d8WOqg7MtHIwioaludF5uTHY5AZzlHo3x-SUwl2iN5w9pQJswC5uQLidN8vIKKS9QkgeLQ1LeOw9LEFq9s6OuvsN260S-ffU4j-WjH1-wJSk/s1600/IMG_8437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjbCK1JEcN02ATp5xz2LxSpacBcQ2Pl8d8WOqg7MtHIwioaludF5uTHY5AZzlHo3x-SUwl2iN5w9pQJswC5uQLidN8vIKKS9QkgeLQ1LeOw9LEFq9s6OuvsN260S-ffU4j-WjH1-wJSk/s400/IMG_8437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmUuJT5IukdG1hiM-VgnsEx9RCBidL5E-9aEJ3-3YNZDgUBP_6sVVVcPLrkpRIZKwDJp9nUM0jcPQTw2Cy79OWyWLlh52k2495pC42ZAyWFrU9eyeMOtU4AMWAGZwbnLipwU6d1paKd8/s1600/IMG_9361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmUuJT5IukdG1hiM-VgnsEx9RCBidL5E-9aEJ3-3YNZDgUBP_6sVVVcPLrkpRIZKwDJp9nUM0jcPQTw2Cy79OWyWLlh52k2495pC42ZAyWFrU9eyeMOtU4AMWAGZwbnLipwU6d1paKd8/s400/IMG_9361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_hokUz9qXVZmnK0hcbCTVxXT-GuTnFn9fLqlWontUbkXDnJJKSQJtwlO_7T6XqvluoiocAI3E0C4C4d0OOzxy1F6MukL54fHUSV1cE6tXpgunLWXpD2chwhU8bOwStLENt0_UYzT-qQ/s1600/521077215.901565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_hokUz9qXVZmnK0hcbCTVxXT-GuTnFn9fLqlWontUbkXDnJJKSQJtwlO_7T6XqvluoiocAI3E0C4C4d0OOzxy1F6MukL54fHUSV1cE6tXpgunLWXpD2chwhU8bOwStLENt0_UYzT-qQ/s320/521077215.901565.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"<em>There are those rare moments in life when you are touched by so much love that you begin to realize how beautiful life really is."</em></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<em>~<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unknown</span></em></div>
</div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537080425008225977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-43555752395213482382017-04-12T17:35:00.002-04:002017-04-12T20:39:18.777-04:00100% Loved...<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VG39rMoeZ4qfMWgspvUkcrifYZuMTqhy7xquH_O1ZiXr-7AVbJrGxDZ9ODYFnLNfIkUAihSqnIZjGTxvkQx6KXNwjIac6kvGFc6UGfdWdUx6gw0_ZdW2WVHgTc1-tBnk5KDywSNJ_G8/s1600/selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VG39rMoeZ4qfMWgspvUkcrifYZuMTqhy7xquH_O1ZiXr-7AVbJrGxDZ9ODYFnLNfIkUAihSqnIZjGTxvkQx6KXNwjIac6kvGFc6UGfdWdUx6gw0_ZdW2WVHgTc1-tBnk5KDywSNJ_G8/s640/selfie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a while since I have connected with my blog readers. So today seems like a good day to do so. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to believe our Little Miss just celebrated her tenth birthday. She's pretty fantastic, creative, sensitive, intuitive and overall beautiful. We feel blessed each and every day to have her as part of our family. And then there's E who is now officially a teenager...UGH! He too, is full of great qualities and is growing more mature each day. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Having two children with recent birthdays definitely makes me extra sensitive. Singing "Happy Birthday" just brings the reality of my illness to the core and I can't help but work extra hard to have faith that I'll have many more celebrations to be a part of.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl-Z11SAqFgng5zHb7oCBb9XCA75Rxq__D1u3PNSeo-tfCA-98wXFClG60xdV96MRZCoJTwWnkC9jfnwDkvFOHXhavdRBAQnYqbfL8dkSobnhyphenhyphenRSPm4HYDh1Sy14kyZCCnLoq-nzPY_A/s1600/bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl-Z11SAqFgng5zHb7oCBb9XCA75Rxq__D1u3PNSeo-tfCA-98wXFClG60xdV96MRZCoJTwWnkC9jfnwDkvFOHXhavdRBAQnYqbfL8dkSobnhyphenhyphenRSPm4HYDh1Sy14kyZCCnLoq-nzPY_A/s640/bday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not always easy to be Little Miss or E these days. The Momma they have currently has her own challenges and struggles in life and it is certainly not the same one they had in their younger years. She lacks energy and drive and relies on others to keep her and her family afloat. Just as it's hard for me to depend on others to help me; I know it's difficult for my children to do the same. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm asked on a regular basis how I am doing. I generally pause and say, I'm doing ok at the moment. Then there are times when I'm not feeling great at all and I say "I'm not doing so great." The not so great days may consist of small seizures which are body parts going numb for short periods of time or very blurry vision. This is not too alarming to the brain doctor, but for me it's disturbing. I become unsteady, somewhat panicked and unsettled. For the past week I've also felt a bit nauseous and bloated. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I share this with you because I want you to be comfortable checking in with how I'm doing. I also want you to be ok with the response I give. I want you to have faith but not sympathy for me. My entire family is learning on a a daily basis, maybe not how we'd like to, but we are a stronger as individuals and as a family because of this miserable yuck.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was finding myself answering with I'm doing fine or I'm doing ok....and after a while, it wasn't making sense because that wasn't entirely true. Now you may even get some "I feel like shit" some days. I'm not going to try present myself as something I'm not. I'm a human with Metastatic Cancer. Some days I have energy to go for walks and play games with my kids and some days I'm barely able to rise up from the couch. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I do the best I can each day with the support of those WHO love me. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9wk0y23wlZx43xPR0ekl2VmsDNEs9kDyj07oOEnD5yUyZ6snUvN1aesQgmcM6i21NohPmAcHurPBHTJ_DlxSefkizG91S5FdzWHFTwdtlk7osk6gX0VQfFzMuPD75RGUoLVWJ1CxBDQ/s1600/twins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9wk0y23wlZx43xPR0ekl2VmsDNEs9kDyj07oOEnD5yUyZ6snUvN1aesQgmcM6i21NohPmAcHurPBHTJ_DlxSefkizG91S5FdzWHFTwdtlk7osk6gX0VQfFzMuPD75RGUoLVWJ1CxBDQ/s640/twins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think checking in on people and seeing how they are doing is a loving and kind gesture. Although the responses are not always positive and they can be scary, it is the truth and it can show first hand how strong LOVE it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul9H8RtQBccw1lTQfChkV5sXKJwyaVC9acODP6g40HWG7MABDKHZbfq3xfjsvUzwjGlwsqaZMZ7f2JjLUziJEL488en7W0wriikJuO8DB0Ma9DAxoHAD4YYF1XC2SXsAE87ERLKx3c6E/s1600/love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul9H8RtQBccw1lTQfChkV5sXKJwyaVC9acODP6g40HWG7MABDKHZbfq3xfjsvUzwjGlwsqaZMZ7f2JjLUziJEL488en7W0wriikJuO8DB0Ma9DAxoHAD4YYF1XC2SXsAE87ERLKx3c6E/s640/love.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-43445032365178154652017-03-16T16:05:00.001-04:002017-03-17T10:24:35.178-04:00The biggest blessing...LOVE<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">E asked if he could read my blog the other day, I thought it would be a better idea for him to help me write a post. Surprisingly he agreed. As we all know, it's not always easy to express our feelings and talk about hard things, but I couldn't be prouder of his willingness to talk with bravery and honesty.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwXasGt8RXuia9PS2Tnnf6ppJg1YWZA5LF7HUMd_ymBnsb6TVY3zgLHRP0wsQowuY8o34GzLRCRFbJyIViDuFmBZUNsEJAZ1i0ht6a7ZePPCKeP_1kREdro90LgGWzMUWELtiWVLYGyI/s1600/me+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwXasGt8RXuia9PS2Tnnf6ppJg1YWZA5LF7HUMd_ymBnsb6TVY3zgLHRP0wsQowuY8o34GzLRCRFbJyIViDuFmBZUNsEJAZ1i0ht6a7ZePPCKeP_1kREdro90LgGWzMUWELtiWVLYGyI/s640/me+e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He told me to ask him questions and he'd answer them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>What kind of feelings do you experience as a child of someone with cancer?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sadness, anger and discomfort, especially when my parents are not home because I get nervous about what's going on. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>What is the best way for you to handle these feelings?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I feel comfortable asking questions to close family members, especially my mom in my case. Sometimes I get angry at my loved ones and the way their schedules have changed, but you have to support them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>What are some other ways you could deal with the situation?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you feel uncomfortable you could always read kids books about parents who have Cancer. My favorites are <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cancer-That-Wouldnt-Away-metastatic/dp/1300303174/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489692340&sr=8-1&keywords=the+cancer+that+wouldn%27t+go+away">"The Cancer that Wouldn't Go Away"</a> by Hadassa Field and "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Someone-You-Love-Cancer/dp/0870293958/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489692424&sr=8-1&keywords=when+someone+you+love+has+cancer+a+guide+to+help+kids+cope">When Someone You Love Has Cancer" by Alaric Lewis</a> (Click on the titles to connect directly to Amazon).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are many ways I help my mom, such as chores and lifting heavy things. It may seem like I'm doing more work around the house but really, I'm just helping my mom. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes my mom having Cancer is very hard because I think about her dying. She had it before and she said it would go away. When she and my dad told me it was back, it was the worst day of my life. It's still so hard but I distract myself by playing video games, reading books and playing board games. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's always ok to express your feelings, and sometimes you may even cry; that's ok too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And don't think that just because they have Cancer, they can't have fun and still do things with you. My mom and I like to go on walks and this is a way we can talk about things. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for listening, E.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViG5Vf6k_vuxjRaA7yGNOJDLohMp8NM8tJ8_fADC4CHihdHRTLy5qfJG81K0knlUATyXlG0hYhb4HeEHqgbIttS8G7gyIAouCccBMmMfOmiBId5N5Q4smOv4LM0wscOwU9a5n6gvuHIo/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViG5Vf6k_vuxjRaA7yGNOJDLohMp8NM8tJ8_fADC4CHihdHRTLy5qfJG81K0knlUATyXlG0hYhb4HeEHqgbIttS8G7gyIAouCccBMmMfOmiBId5N5Q4smOv4LM0wscOwU9a5n6gvuHIo/s640/family.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Remembering back to the day we told E I had Cancer again was so painful. How do you even begin to explain such yuck?! The honesty of it hurts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The hardest part of this disease continues to be the uncertainty of it all and how it affects all my loved ones, especially my children. We are all learning to be present in the current moment. We can't predict the future but we can live our fullest life each and every day. Our greatest blessing is being able to lean on and love one another without knowing completely what tomorrow brings. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5UEMZtIjilP3sW3185lnFgvnOZofIhM7QeaBqgoKTqsNNKBvcMwdJMjG9gJUd65wvlevo6Aw3HKBnaWz_ev_p84vcKAOyc_iY-hBA9afyn_bYgf9DUky_PNkcOfeydbHgdq78P7z1F8/s1600/being+loved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5UEMZtIjilP3sW3185lnFgvnOZofIhM7QeaBqgoKTqsNNKBvcMwdJMjG9gJUd65wvlevo6Aw3HKBnaWz_ev_p84vcKAOyc_iY-hBA9afyn_bYgf9DUky_PNkcOfeydbHgdq78P7z1F8/s640/being+loved.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-69598340027122597462017-02-28T18:33:00.000-05:002017-02-28T18:33:59.634-05:00Faith over Worry<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been just about two weeks since my 5 day visit to the hospital. The thing about this Big C yuck is that things are constantly changing, and ridiculous and unpleasant side effects are a daily nuisance. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Due to lower white blood cell counts, I'm more susceptible to illnesses, viruses, infections and all sorts of other stuff. This month has been very unpleasant with rashes, exhaustion and infection. I ended up with an extremely painful bacterial infection in my mouth and throat, causing sores. I tried to take care of it at home with medications, but it became evident when I couldn't eat or drink without extreme pain that I needed to visit the hospital. Once there, IVs and strong meds helped and 5 days later I left pretty much pain free. Although I still have some side effects lingering, things are much better. I'm very grateful to have resources to go to when things at home are not working. I'm also grateful once again to have the support of so many. My soul sister and I had sleepovers and hubby came to visit multiple times, while my parents took care of my two loves, E and Little Miss, at home. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfdVmKbn7PED_ORYF0aejPtpDSO9r5spC9e0DxvnJxzgTO2yJThrcKMX25BnEucRAAp3ZTb-ZwR7d7L9s01gdoVvLOaAjl2MBs2aTdkKNYDRSIOc8YMb-tMgHBzOZXAh8HtpFf0TMTWQ/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfdVmKbn7PED_ORYF0aejPtpDSO9r5spC9e0DxvnJxzgTO2yJThrcKMX25BnEucRAAp3ZTb-ZwR7d7L9s01gdoVvLOaAjl2MBs2aTdkKNYDRSIOc8YMb-tMgHBzOZXAh8HtpFf0TMTWQ/s640/us.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUf3xLfU7JNg-uPMpCoGB7iL0itXLU7WrJ6Qm2YZrE-bp9rHcIzYMP3-_Zrpt6apST7VQc37DI5GAKW-CzQgIh1Qm4nqWtlIYpybgDhaHeZam74lAhwGJFhrAIP88QVhBWwnRM1ymBO4/s1600/valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUf3xLfU7JNg-uPMpCoGB7iL0itXLU7WrJ6Qm2YZrE-bp9rHcIzYMP3-_Zrpt6apST7VQc37DI5GAKW-CzQgIh1Qm4nqWtlIYpybgDhaHeZam74lAhwGJFhrAIP88QVhBWwnRM1ymBO4/s640/valentine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Staying in the hospital for any length of time is not exactly pleasant. In fact, it sounds grim, but leaving to go there, I wondered if I would be able to return home. The fact that I have a terminal illness never leaves my thoughts. The constant worry when you have Metastatic Cancer is difficult to overcome and being in a hospital 24/7 feeling terrible made it even harder. It's a constant challenge to remain positive and keep the faith. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is when it's so important to take each moment one at a time while doing your best to keep the Faith. The Team I have cheering me on definitely helps to keep me grounded and for that, I thank all of you for your consistent love and support. I feel loved and blessed on a daily basis.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nNMsQCtxfooFe_zHG3gIZlp5cOJ0HDOEyBXnmvQ9AwM8qhQb1a7TPLt-H1Vj2XrvL1EDCRPOh5bMBKChs7eM4XQDmlXfZaaCI-kTwFcSZkwA69GTUtHJDP2Z734aCdK1qGF0DzHzmMc/s1600/valentine2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nNMsQCtxfooFe_zHG3gIZlp5cOJ0HDOEyBXnmvQ9AwM8qhQb1a7TPLt-H1Vj2XrvL1EDCRPOh5bMBKChs7eM4XQDmlXfZaaCI-kTwFcSZkwA69GTUtHJDP2Z734aCdK1qGF0DzHzmMc/s640/valentine2.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My main reason for writing this post is to explain once again that I often feel like I have no idea what I'm doing and if what I'm doing is actually helping me to feel well. This Big C thing is so exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Although I'm trying my best to keep the faith, I do not have it perfected. I worry... a lot. I'm generally happy and you may see me smiling in most pictures, but remember, that's the highlight reel. Behind the scenes, there is often exhaustion, anger, frustration and weepiness. But somehow, my highlight reel continues to outweigh the yuck the Big C brings into my life even though some days are a struggle. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV28YKcEHboltSk2lEcn6HbIYdQiVFj2Vfaz8Aq2JFmk_rDZ8mo5Q-ICXlYN309neIQudJQORbFHmrVnN9q1S7gncv2ndz-zV7vPdiV-YFtg7E3blQBCMwsplR0Vyzza4YnYw6Wm3WCgA/s1600/faith+over+worry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV28YKcEHboltSk2lEcn6HbIYdQiVFj2Vfaz8Aq2JFmk_rDZ8mo5Q-ICXlYN309neIQudJQORbFHmrVnN9q1S7gncv2ndz-zV7vPdiV-YFtg7E3blQBCMwsplR0Vyzza4YnYw6Wm3WCgA/s640/faith+over+worry.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 16.0px}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none; color: #042eee; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #042eee}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-86707981737860730932017-02-09T21:27:00.001-05:002017-02-09T23:51:15.019-05:00Fighting Hard...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On January 25, 2017, I posted this on Facebook "t<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">oday I'm thankful for chemo. And I'm grateful for all of you. My CT scans showed shrinkage...whoop, whoop!" Sorry to those of you who follow this blog and not Facebook. I didn't mean to leave you hanging. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">It's been a while since I've had a good report from scans. So long, that when the oncologist told us, I think we all stared blankly at her and almost didn't know how to react. Shrinkage...the little f----ers shrunk? Whoop whoop!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> For now we will continue using the same tool from the toolbox and keep hope that it continues to be effective. During my visit I got my infusion of chemo and here we are about two weeks later dealing with the side effects most people don't see or hear about. Truthfully, I've been struggling with feeling good and dealing with yuck. I shed tears almost everyday because I'm so exhausted and tired of the Big C. Mentally and physically it can be a struggle. Don't feel bad for me, just know that this is often the reality of those of us with MBC. Maybe it's not visible from the outside, but the nausea, exhaustion, anxiety, seizures and so many other things are behind that seemingly average looking person who has a body full of cancer cells. We have various side effects that often seem to take over, but most of us are willing to play on and take the good with the bad. Thanks to our support systems we are also able to continue fighting hard. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtOuQ-Pkww1YAVo9x-TZsaOBitWz1nS3mTO8MkbHdYsgRtDCwAuckZ-OQcqIvvYg5TWnLJN4XTnGTqG9lmpIE0CNjpd4t41hf3ZClVS3bRh4r-MxxbuUJNgPFdGVVD_3m4_YqewfYoGQ/s1600/brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtOuQ-Pkww1YAVo9x-TZsaOBitWz1nS3mTO8MkbHdYsgRtDCwAuckZ-OQcqIvvYg5TWnLJN4XTnGTqG9lmpIE0CNjpd4t41hf3ZClVS3bRh4r-MxxbuUJNgPFdGVVD_3m4_YqewfYoGQ/s640/brothers.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH12wWAwHHJE4gAxflOWRB1AnI9fgQ_5SZW5aaYbuNaiWXL_V2P68iz735optDLiioWzfWGx4TSbr6yN17rv9EToFa7C-HTS_ANQ4oMYMACPvo18IhACptS9b5m36MjBUOGdKqKCC75Y/s1600/caregivers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH12wWAwHHJE4gAxflOWRB1AnI9fgQ_5SZW5aaYbuNaiWXL_V2P68iz735optDLiioWzfWGx4TSbr6yN17rv9EToFa7C-HTS_ANQ4oMYMACPvo18IhACptS9b5m36MjBUOGdKqKCC75Y/s640/caregivers.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> I'm hoping that tomorrow is the day things will turn the corner. It's a struggle, but one I'm determined to fight and conquer. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQTHnPyhB2mgtYI64EVmw1Bs_OiEh3b7KsJwnzECHdKbbt11cp_gl6KLzlwchWnXReGFlqQs2JuuboygYmDV3SxaW3dONaGvbO6NS4kxi4kz0FLSh7Gc8ohEhvzWS9nObBixMFWVTEqE/s1600/16174740_10210654238506361_3423419439206933802_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQTHnPyhB2mgtYI64EVmw1Bs_OiEh3b7KsJwnzECHdKbbt11cp_gl6KLzlwchWnXReGFlqQs2JuuboygYmDV3SxaW3dONaGvbO6NS4kxi4kz0FLSh7Gc8ohEhvzWS9nObBixMFWVTEqE/s640/16174740_10210654238506361_3423419439206933802_n.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, my E is now a teenager. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZVzhOWdh5qoxijPgDs6jytAalDa_sXOctl5e3B1Za9qs3iIHq61Hk7wyxQLw33NGK-B40RtM0DoFWzPJy_4Su6jqZrrWtWejvlyXznDli0Bdn5CKdI3uZoGKDf_qYJfKAs7PD3Vx1PA/s1600/e+bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZVzhOWdh5qoxijPgDs6jytAalDa_sXOctl5e3B1Za9qs3iIHq61Hk7wyxQLw33NGK-B40RtM0DoFWzPJy_4Su6jqZrrWtWejvlyXznDli0Bdn5CKdI3uZoGKDf_qYJfKAs7PD3Vx1PA/s640/e+bday.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">It's so hard to believe that it's been so long since I answered that phone call saying he had entered the world. We celebrated his birthday with family and he enjoyed some of his favorite people. Although his spirit often challenges us as parents, he is truly a sensitive and kind little boy and works hard helping his Momma these days. I love him more than I can possibly express.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Little Miss had her Red and White School Dance. This was her last dance at the elementary school. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggisIOFYj8FzILJAis-dsov8OYqqb03Vg6DHSV5QBjbTmqbz6MN-MkmFED3u4ZcyLmL9TwWvoA99j2723K811rOSNXeAglmhljpJ4onHpB6t_xOZRrxhWYZyuRlLQRb52-_L42aici8U/s1600/rwk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggisIOFYj8FzILJAis-dsov8OYqqb03Vg6DHSV5QBjbTmqbz6MN-MkmFED3u4ZcyLmL9TwWvoA99j2723K811rOSNXeAglmhljpJ4onHpB6t_xOZRrxhWYZyuRlLQRb52-_L42aici8U/s640/rwk.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Today and tomorrow we are enjoying our first official snow days of the season. I'm hoping the kiddos will enjoy sledding. They need some fresh air and time away from SCREENS.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-78887639511275646382017-01-24T20:52:00.001-05:002017-01-24T21:27:22.881-05:00Living with challenges...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I sit here in front of my computer screen and STARE, not really sure what to say. Tomorrow, I go for the results of the rest of my scans. The different scenarios of what could be the outcome of Monday's scans and tomorrow's blood tests occupy my mind. I try to remain positive and hopeful, but also know that things don't always work out that way. </span><span style="font-size: large;">What I am hoping for is a continuation of last week's brain scan where things appeared to be stable. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The most recent way I try to handle things is to take what I'm given, ask the questions I need to, fight for what I think will be the best treatment and carry on as best I can. This is typically how I have tried to handle things from the beginning. Now I think I'm just becoming confident enough to challenge the thoughts of the doctor while trying to incorporate all those working with me to give me my best life. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This job is a daily challenge, from waking up in the morning to going to bed in the evening, and everything in between. I'm exhausted most of the time and feel like I could sleep 24/7. I'm not driving, but I have to coordinate the daily rides my children need to get to their activities. I'm blessed to have so many willing to help us out. For those Metastatic Fighters who are still working in paid positions, you are amazing. I can only imagine how difficult it is most days and I think it should be a requirement for you to have a comfortable resting place when you need it. Keep up the fight, fellow warriors! We're all in this together, in one way or another.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fdoKF14Yu3ME8UfNVntWUfJLEgnSkNDiK5NpWY_lTm1d-C9b_82-Z9C-ZQAbeAOj7qgg71g4_xSQZ648aZf3NG7CU768iILjRCTjNq9STKqcxvsnu188j23NXjl0oHuZmP-ZU2wGwf8/s1600/challenges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fdoKF14Yu3ME8UfNVntWUfJLEgnSkNDiK5NpWY_lTm1d-C9b_82-Z9C-ZQAbeAOj7qgg71g4_xSQZ648aZf3NG7CU768iILjRCTjNq9STKqcxvsnu188j23NXjl0oHuZmP-ZU2wGwf8/s640/challenges.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-31010501576033179472017-01-06T10:59:00.000-05:002017-01-06T11:29:18.933-05:00Embracing Uncertainty...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I'll start this post off like I've started some others...CANCER SUCKS, and the uncertainty of Metastatic Breast Cancer is even worse! I had an appointment yesterday with my </span><span style="font-size: large;">Naturopathic D</span><span style="font-size: large;">octor. He recently had me take a test to see what chemotherapy treatments would still be effective and also reviewed recent blood tests to see how the cells to fight the little F'ers are doing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, the results were not all that great and ultimately I ended up crying the entire ride home and then some. He basically said that the medicine I have been taking for months is not effective and at my next appointment I need to push for a specific chemotherapy. After the one he suggested, I have two others it listed...two! At the beginning of this MBC yuck my oncologist said there was an entire toolbox of treatments for me. What she did not clearly state was that I would be a guinea pig for each medicine and some would not be effective at all. Now here I am feeling like I have a toolbox that seems to be quickly running out of useful tools. So after months of chemotherapy and huge amounts of supplements, it's a bit frustrating and a downer to know it's most likely not doing what it's set out to do. It would be great if he was wrong! At the end of the month when I go for my scans I will know for sure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, I'm feeling pretty good, possibly due to some of the meds I'm taking on a daily basis, but regardless, most days I have an appetite, good energy and a positive outlook. And I think as a result of not having control over this nonsense, I've been purging like a madwoman. I also decided the Christmas season wasn't long enough and am keeping up my tree for at least another week.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Five years ago this past New Year's Eve, I was officially diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. By 2012 I thought I was finished fighting the beast. But, in June 2015, I discovered it was back and I was now a stage IV cancer patient. That day was so hard and I barely remember it. What I do remember is that in the past year and a half I have never felt more support and love in my life. I'd prefer my old life back, but in the midst of all this yuck, I feel blessed and so very gra<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">teful to see each new day with all this love surrounding me. Thank you! In 2017, I hope to find the perfect match to conquering these little f'ers, and living each moment how it was meant to be lived, with gratitude, hope and most of all love. I'm also going to continue to do my best to embrace this uncertainty of life.</span></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I wish those struggling with their lives and current situations enough love and courage to know they will conquer and something good will eventually come out of the yuck they are experiencing.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center;">
Happy and blessed new year to all. Xo </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FIHE7OSv7lqrhsiFeJz_mM3fCcM2QTfzycfCRXKY-Uay2h-poV6O8zoWZPCUAIMcVwtyQZH_64eNgwR6FUTOOkhG6VOkkpCnxbwLbeEytRfhEGB41tsiUNbDtrB4y1WJ45Kw_Cagwds/s1600/bro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FIHE7OSv7lqrhsiFeJz_mM3fCcM2QTfzycfCRXKY-Uay2h-poV6O8zoWZPCUAIMcVwtyQZH_64eNgwR6FUTOOkhG6VOkkpCnxbwLbeEytRfhEGB41tsiUNbDtrB4y1WJ45Kw_Cagwds/s640/bro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp18awiPw89HLTt_aHT_H_i0FMLXdOirUu-9YKjrLmQy47wfVf6DZEOz-allvLgRN_Aa9Yk93CcL4ee83pVgtN2A3tyI84_R5W07t7eD7obaQnmBzNCTbfZz6yZWEZ_erPaJlO1uMJugo/s1600/cousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp18awiPw89HLTt_aHT_H_i0FMLXdOirUu-9YKjrLmQy47wfVf6DZEOz-allvLgRN_Aa9Yk93CcL4ee83pVgtN2A3tyI84_R5W07t7eD7obaQnmBzNCTbfZz6yZWEZ_erPaJlO1uMJugo/s640/cousins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnCpF4BXUQDfMAJNTI7zBxsWAmF1ficp6b6eJDrCXCdeEhT2QGjNB2dNtPWjwR4M0UP7slZtppuz4EvuiRXGkp9EqrWDjfOwanbzeDxYPEdV8WKRUjMQ2GXVEjxajUsD9AyPjs1ISGN0/s1600/LindaSousa9-23-20160003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnCpF4BXUQDfMAJNTI7zBxsWAmF1ficp6b6eJDrCXCdeEhT2QGjNB2dNtPWjwR4M0UP7slZtppuz4EvuiRXGkp9EqrWDjfOwanbzeDxYPEdV8WKRUjMQ2GXVEjxajUsD9AyPjs1ISGN0/s640/LindaSousa9-23-20160003.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRDNw_EPrmQqV2cz2xKQwoNMd1RAn-L0pnDhR0P3YEpBRU_rBTlrdtiM6w98Q0GAPIyRH3gqVLDT5zWnen4mM88QAeBPlJYD4pR0KQhD9PqriygjzwJv105XlHKdBM7wddalx2CGitDM/s1600/mem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRDNw_EPrmQqV2cz2xKQwoNMd1RAn-L0pnDhR0P3YEpBRU_rBTlrdtiM6w98Q0GAPIyRH3gqVLDT5zWnen4mM88QAeBPlJYD4pR0KQhD9PqriygjzwJv105XlHKdBM7wddalx2CGitDM/s640/mem.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnzXYRN1IOc9H_5yfa4a6UD-AMSJveOVZF5qRzuXaGrLDXKz3b3khEv9AUz8VjJReuridhobjeOqiUStsEusyxmOQkcjyOeYT4GZQh19FNawOjCZkO0o8SpDad-j8tX1lc9e1vqrUFEs/s1600/christmas+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnzXYRN1IOc9H_5yfa4a6UD-AMSJveOVZF5qRzuXaGrLDXKz3b3khEv9AUz8VjJReuridhobjeOqiUStsEusyxmOQkcjyOeYT4GZQh19FNawOjCZkO0o8SpDad-j8tX1lc9e1vqrUFEs/s640/christmas+post.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-29597173620258413492016-12-24T22:56:00.003-05:002016-12-24T22:56:43.071-05:00Focus on the blessings<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Wowzers, it's been well over a month since my last post. Let me apologize to those of you who rely on it for updates. Yikes! I'm still here, doing ok. If you would have told me I'd still be functioning 1 1/2 years after my Metastatic diagnosis, I probably wouldn't have believed you. I'm a different person, but taking things one moment at a time has helped me to have more good days than bad. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It been 5 Christmas's since I found that first lump that would change my life. Things would certainly be easier without this yuck, but here we are, chugging right along, one moment at a time, through all the ups and downs. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For this post I will focus on what I have received from the yuck, instead of what I have lost. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings beyond my comprehension are still occurring on a daily basis, including cards, texts, gifts, and simple gestures.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVi6_jpcH1oIWlF4FVan4hYHeHBcAacTLe5P52vEVJA2uVtXNeZJpiyYGEqZZ1IihHBPOy0tyyW0U90zxieeZBcP4dTvzHxMzWY4v9_H1adQB7Ml6Aq5INFawsTmoVa2EeFVbk5Yuun0/s1600/prayer+coin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVi6_jpcH1oIWlF4FVan4hYHeHBcAacTLe5P52vEVJA2uVtXNeZJpiyYGEqZZ1IihHBPOy0tyyW0U90zxieeZBcP4dTvzHxMzWY4v9_H1adQB7Ml6Aq5INFawsTmoVa2EeFVbk5Yuun0/s640/prayer+coin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I now have children who show more compassion and help out their momma in need. E will be sure to help me out of the car, guide me on rough terrain and carry my bags for me. Little Miss will help more in the kitchen, do her best with small chores I give her and she is a master cuddler. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqsZ1S2Wd94hcxAKrBoQKVWz4Ni_VYWBQS97nQWNVsh6IxVmlxYmjmmeJQ8NLB-qEfk7kkFxF1zza-HhR765-7Ozbr-oXbTbpU_TTbM40rzcunH4ouiQooq1HadnBKqAI9CqO8YdGPsg/s1600/bluelilyig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqsZ1S2Wd94hcxAKrBoQKVWz4Ni_VYWBQS97nQWNVsh6IxVmlxYmjmmeJQ8NLB-qEfk7kkFxF1zza-HhR765-7Ozbr-oXbTbpU_TTbM40rzcunH4ouiQooq1HadnBKqAI9CqO8YdGPsg/s640/bluelilyig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Friends go out of their way to shop, transport my children to their activities, take a walk, share meals and send sweet messages so I know they are thinking about me. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8_gusNzvi3qbucKhSOJBkIqsgqWQqJ1492gEH7owOJD9ln_ZbpIg2TaEbVmxxvYn3xANREVZT6I4WW2BaPyb2zdhue3OJv2iftI3o2tUn6zZsh5szLzBPecbWWFkZNG33ZXxNIsGyuM/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8_gusNzvi3qbucKhSOJBkIqsgqWQqJ1492gEH7owOJD9ln_ZbpIg2TaEbVmxxvYn3xANREVZT6I4WW2BaPyb2zdhue3OJv2iftI3o2tUn6zZsh5szLzBPecbWWFkZNG33ZXxNIsGyuM/s640/friends.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have family, including two caring and supportive brothers who would do anything I ask of them, along with a large extended family who continues to show they're fighting along side me and show their endless caring for me. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-WeotBlBFnVDNysQvlVO3vAIv3i0fDUizRFp59GV39uWlNi869UmaJbxwb5lWLKp-zk2OaBPjtMbzRJ0m4T2sJJmudoDm-GxuVnL3mjR3qjNEirn7ZYv2ZZla2v5zz-K-jHiqz3qvJw/s1600/myfam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-WeotBlBFnVDNysQvlVO3vAIv3i0fDUizRFp59GV39uWlNi869UmaJbxwb5lWLKp-zk2OaBPjtMbzRJ0m4T2sJJmudoDm-GxuVnL3mjR3qjNEirn7ZYv2ZZla2v5zz-K-jHiqz3qvJw/s640/myfam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Although I've had my soul sister for a long time, we are at a new level. Most times, I don't need to say a word, she knows what I need. I'm not always in the best of moods, but I try my best and she continues to encourage me, tells me I'm a fighter, sets my crazy brain straight and gives an endless amount of hugs and back rubs. Oh, and she does my laundry a lot of time, claiming it's therapeutic for her...I'm not going to argue about it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUKO42DoT8hnnmKm6BDYQ3X8YnZafv5AxdPzB-owhfRhpIqFY_aUegb-zGURK390M3XzUZezQQG7CTDHLX9-W_Y0oqgzS1RsA38mhfr7O39zB1toWrLtfFwnZNKZ7OoiiX0IoAP7oEek/s1600/meshann.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUKO42DoT8hnnmKm6BDYQ3X8YnZafv5AxdPzB-owhfRhpIqFY_aUegb-zGURK390M3XzUZezQQG7CTDHLX9-W_Y0oqgzS1RsA38mhfr7O39zB1toWrLtfFwnZNKZ7OoiiX0IoAP7oEek/s640/meshann.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a husband who is by my side, on good and bad days, through laughs and tears. He is for sure my rock amidst this madness. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAkcJ3kN2jLVLPct0cz_Xpzsw6BlQddrlU8ZVSXBhb7g66kX4bjYLN5D0Pxc1j0R8mDKy3ulSZ3q5v6MamsCeOpXjFdtR5DAr2kW2_O4YH0Cyxw8vY2Xme0YjonXDXe6fd8tzK4gE3KQ/s1600/vicme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAkcJ3kN2jLVLPct0cz_Xpzsw6BlQddrlU8ZVSXBhb7g66kX4bjYLN5D0Pxc1j0R8mDKy3ulSZ3q5v6MamsCeOpXjFdtR5DAr2kW2_O4YH0Cyxw8vY2Xme0YjonXDXe6fd8tzK4gE3KQ/s640/vicme.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then there's my parents, the best there are, who spend more time with me than at their own home. As I said before, they are master givers, always putting their children and grandchildren first, before themselves. The list of things they do for me is endless: making chicken soup, taking care of the kids, picking me up from a funk, driving me to and fro, giving hugs, and knowing just what and what not to say. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Love would be my number one! I am blessed enough to have an endless supply of it from all those who are part of my life. I am grateful beyond what I'm able to express through words. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Christmas seems like the perfect time to Thank ALL of you who share your love with me. I truly believe it's the strongest healer there is out there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">May this New Year bring us all continued Peace, Love, and Hope.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Much Love, Linda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: large;">"The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Thomas S. Monson</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">P.S. And how appropriate that I wrap up this post as "It's a Wonderful Life" is ending on the T.V. Like George, I truly feel like the richest person in town</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-60830897009902250082016-11-21T22:36:00.001-05:002016-11-21T22:36:39.296-05:00Unknown Blessings...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just like I always knew I'd be a teacher, I also always had this desire to adopt children. Although I had no idea of the circumstances that would bring me there, I just had this deep seeded feeling that it was something I was going to do in my lifetime, it was in my heart.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After being married for 7 years and trying to have children, our journey to adopt began, sooner than I initially thought. Since the start of the process we have grown in so many ways and since Saturday was National Adoption Day, it seems like a good time to celebrate all those who have been brought into our lives by this amazing experience, especially our beautiful children and their first parents who brought them into the world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Adoption is not a small or short term process. It is not easy or free of pain or sadness. It starts with loss. For us, it began with the loss of us having our own biological children and for the birth parents of adopted children, it is the loss of the children they give birth to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> It is, however, one of the greatest blessings I have experienced. Although I will never know the experience of giving birth to my own child, there are many more who are unable to know the experience of being a parent through the miracle of adoption. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGhcF2jxaOv66LBVE3lAKfjG6TeOWN4sndFvBjdJ47rGltOAt7FXAbIsloV3X-H-d47YhrPNV7xnlW8C2-ccvXQTJ8GokQu0-tZFXmWjk19-0UkjZGxlivVqm6m1ABoZEEdHLGs71bps/s1600/adoption+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGhcF2jxaOv66LBVE3lAKfjG6TeOWN4sndFvBjdJ47rGltOAt7FXAbIsloV3X-H-d47YhrPNV7xnlW8C2-ccvXQTJ8GokQu0-tZFXmWjk19-0UkjZGxlivVqm6m1ABoZEEdHLGs71bps/s640/adoption+quote.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Adoption will affect our entire lives and the lives of our children and because we are blessed to have open adoptions, we hope to have contact with our children's birth families forever. It is truly a blessing to have them as part of our family. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mDWppfGdNhF-ZRq3G_RxcWpW0DjXhPzVjT4KipOMGIdC1wqfd2K2msZ1sNJlAx57Sgh9cmmCcIaYmd0P4SbnN_zq8Zzkzd0rrrZrFxEsX6WKOwOfKZaYYS49kCCAjdjpLHbTm3Elvws/s1600/wendy+and+e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mDWppfGdNhF-ZRq3G_RxcWpW0DjXhPzVjT4KipOMGIdC1wqfd2K2msZ1sNJlAx57Sgh9cmmCcIaYmd0P4SbnN_zq8Zzkzd0rrrZrFxEsX6WKOwOfKZaYYS49kCCAjdjpLHbTm3Elvws/s640/wendy+and+e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
E and his birth grandmother</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWkhdbI7Qy3Bd1DBDG-P-lhbIW3M9FHq5vtNxtpkXj-EFpmmWWuGcW20819_SAcHcBs_UqK7PoI1YSdBZiF86rBJdUpSHRzHukhqLcpHx9P7_qLPUOsJZHXXOvcOxgOPGGfGVTFqbKwM/s1600/birthmom+and+k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWkhdbI7Qy3Bd1DBDG-P-lhbIW3M9FHq5vtNxtpkXj-EFpmmWWuGcW20819_SAcHcBs_UqK7PoI1YSdBZiF86rBJdUpSHRzHukhqLcpHx9P7_qLPUOsJZHXXOvcOxgOPGGfGVTFqbKwM/s640/birthmom+and+k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little Miss and her birth mother</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02ccAkXNz6TBYEH5rmEqH3EhHdjs1TzDOU0GFgw8ruwVs4Fjwp8bsFrFPA3FdIpvx9Pq5fyXv-N1HuOwDR2ixQV9EEvAWpDz9-_faeKUudh6XnVfO6EaumYtSHnqQZg1iothGD4swsOo/s1600/sosdhats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02ccAkXNz6TBYEH5rmEqH3EhHdjs1TzDOU0GFgw8ruwVs4Fjwp8bsFrFPA3FdIpvx9Pq5fyXv-N1HuOwDR2ixQV9EEvAWpDz9-_faeKUudh6XnVfO6EaumYtSHnqQZg1iothGD4swsOo/s640/sosdhats.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">These two get along like typical siblings. They drive each other bonkers on some days and on others they are best friends. They are so different, yet remarkably similar. Everyday is an adventure and we are always grateful, even on the days we struggle as parents. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGL_xmAfMCMM19_IdzpiWm4OhgANQ3Bc6YckL_hU7mMTq4YpRUsCAar_U4uzn9Cuzl7zlBPJ-oGHt4zsFkH6ikkT3KR5T370Io6ytiwdzDdeuntr-LdZGXTUYIJLPl2lRxQng4AAPy-c/s1600/pe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGL_xmAfMCMM19_IdzpiWm4OhgANQ3Bc6YckL_hU7mMTq4YpRUsCAar_U4uzn9Cuzl7zlBPJ-oGHt4zsFkH6ikkT3KR5T370Io6ytiwdzDdeuntr-LdZGXTUYIJLPl2lRxQng4AAPy-c/s640/pe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5rDgdUvZbJhyphenhyphenH7JmBT4DSuUFmnGbz501P9yVuCx9gCevqDug9Q2wKsl2Ar3HRMjcGjXQEn8wIqfK9gOP2h_UaIDrfX6pExko3GUomXSo6davPRBtUxEULIA4tZaswl_kLuteKfR7HIE/s1600/adoption+quote+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5rDgdUvZbJhyphenhyphenH7JmBT4DSuUFmnGbz501P9yVuCx9gCevqDug9Q2wKsl2Ar3HRMjcGjXQEn8wIqfK9gOP2h_UaIDrfX6pExko3GUomXSo6davPRBtUxEULIA4tZaswl_kLuteKfR7HIE/s400/adoption+quote+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Adoption Month to all those blessed by adoption. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're interested in reading more, click on the adoption label on the right of this blog. There are several more posts that share our story. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-63693504324541428382016-11-02T21:53:00.003-04:002016-11-02T22:08:05.778-04:00The report I wish I had...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Wouldn't it be fantastic if we could write our own results? The last few scans I've had have been less than desirable. The little f'rs continuing to grow and not shrink are making me lose patience. All this work without positive results is not reinforcing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Today's follow up revealed that there is more change. Although I'm not completely against things changing, I could at least use some things moving in the right direction. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">So this is what I'm wishing for at my next scans.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">-some shrinkage with the brain mets</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">-no new brain mets</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">-less nausea</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">-shrinkage of little "f'r" in the lungs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I have many wishes, but maybe a few things at a time will help manage these temperamental pains in the butt. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Today started another knew treatment. Let's all hope that this happens to be the magic tool that helps to slow this yuck down. I need a break...PLEASE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">My oncologist is optimistic about this newest treatment. Having her staying positive helps me to keep going. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87D6BZ35T9ShcE40PkkjLLDimLnwf6cpW9eo1iGssy8VsX_O-4Uf4RTD9gFHh2wJvzGeMeiuzTg7hbp6nBYfzu4Qcdg-1jFSrCLmYRakoTUX7KElYmrml18DoravTAg9HyXFIFCnHcWw/s1600/wish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87D6BZ35T9ShcE40PkkjLLDimLnwf6cpW9eo1iGssy8VsX_O-4Uf4RTD9gFHh2wJvzGeMeiuzTg7hbp6nBYfzu4Qcdg-1jFSrCLmYRakoTUX7KElYmrml18DoravTAg9HyXFIFCnHcWw/s640/wish.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Thanks for your continued love and support. I'm certain my gas is close to empty some days, thanks for refueling me. xo</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-47016931470146006162016-10-29T16:47:00.001-04:002016-10-29T16:47:36.421-04:00The end of the month of pink....<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">When
Metastatic Breast Cancer rudely entered my life in June 2015, I immediately
went into panic mode and started predicting my morbid future, afraid that I
wouldn’t even make it through the next year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn4hG0hkiqukAlkWVlNe6nEt0xwrN5hNVClRPqcwIqRfGfgS6lW1u8iB_kKbQ7l6Y0xFIThpDKsrxM3imVMVzViGqhr7h9BKJMjeZ9JHiMcmCimqEozphnO7WkUkVUTQ0OttGf-BCrGw/s1600/IMG_3074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn4hG0hkiqukAlkWVlNe6nEt0xwrN5hNVClRPqcwIqRfGfgS6lW1u8iB_kKbQ7l6Y0xFIThpDKsrxM3imVMVzViGqhr7h9BKJMjeZ9JHiMcmCimqEozphnO7WkUkVUTQ0OttGf-BCrGw/s640/IMG_3074.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I’m
blessed to have a huge support system and quickly I started to learn to take my
life one moment at a time, hour-by-hour and minute-by-minute. Just as though
life has no guarantees, neither does the diagnosis of MBC. It’s been over one
year now. This diagnosis is a full-time job that has changed frequently and
continues to have too many bumps to keep track of. Some days are steady where I
feel some moments of normalcy; other days I have panic attacks that take over
the calm I try so hard to maintain. Having this disease is mostly scary and
part of the fear is never really knowing what is coming next, but, when you
think about it, none of us are able to predict the future. We can simply live
the best life we can in the present. So although my children are still only 9
and 12 years old and I fear how much time I have left with them, I do my best
not to waste any time worrying about something that I have no control over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1Kyp9h_UhldlX47Q-tAuGT0tz17rHyohvYYgy_Fn1t2IZxxd5HTzF__ZoeoruOSE6Vyif6-2K-JcVmgB2g7W5sjGqG3Yoz_RbiBcCdZ5G3Ui498U427rlwpAv2oMxTWiH9WuDXne1sQ/s1600/IMG_3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1Kyp9h_UhldlX47Q-tAuGT0tz17rHyohvYYgy_Fn1t2IZxxd5HTzF__ZoeoruOSE6Vyif6-2K-JcVmgB2g7W5sjGqG3Yoz_RbiBcCdZ5G3Ui498U427rlwpAv2oMxTWiH9WuDXne1sQ/s640/IMG_3075.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I wish I
had the magic potion for surviving MBC but that doesn’t exist (yet) so I will tell
you a few things that have helped me move forward, even on the days that are
the hardest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">As my
Memere used to say, “there is nothing so bad that something good doesn’t come
out of it.” This is especially evident when living with a disease such as MBC.
You can find something positive; sometimes you may just have to look at it with
extra strength
binoculars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Try not
to let one set back determine the future, perhaps it’s a bump in the road and
not a death sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I’ve been
open with sharing my emotions and although it’s not always pretty, it’s always
real. Let yourself cry if you have to, share your emotions and don’t feel like
you have to fight those tears that come naturally. I would urge you, however,
to only wallow for a short time, vent, journal, meditate and then move on. I personally benefit greatly from going to therapy weekly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So many
share this disease, but each person’s story is different. My story is unique
and how I react to it is as well. Learning to have hope and faith in my own
journey continues to be a challenge for me, but with the love and support I
receive, there has been some progress. </span><span style="font-family: Courier; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I started this blog entry at the start of the month to post as part of raising awareness through <a href="https://www.facebook.com/metavivor/?fref=hovercard">Metavivor</a>. Because I don't always have the energy or stamina to write, I didn't quite make it to the deadline and thus it has become my own post. Hopefully it will be a source of some awareness for those who can benefit.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Tz2DUmAcl5CFmF3ft5dn3zUhaYeWWSmIDEqWlSvFZtbB5Fp1kh5qHdGtpbmmbC2zyoX6WyWvtTQYXiINGfwwJehAOonJX5rwVa-8fU5Bm7vFkD08Y5-EICpm8NTXURzed1jQASHVSY/s1600/IMG_3083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Tz2DUmAcl5CFmF3ft5dn3zUhaYeWWSmIDEqWlSvFZtbB5Fp1kh5qHdGtpbmmbC2zyoX6WyWvtTQYXiINGfwwJehAOonJX5rwVa-8fU5Bm7vFkD08Y5-EICpm8NTXURzed1jQASHVSY/s640/IMG_3083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This Monday we will be driving very early to Dana Farber. It's that time again for more scans, definitely not a time I look forward to, in fact, it scares the poop out of me. It's actually a challenge for me to hold it together this weekend knowing Wednesday my oncologist will share the findings of the latest tests with me. This is when I do my best to remain hopeful and positive because it is not helpful to do otherwise. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_tuaAWTnLYtGJThrZlQsRCEVjKQE_9expjDxQQMERGSYG3nB4LysiVtLLg5ZaVeOd4A-gtEhcrh65jmmTCU6kksqqGBNftL4nVK0xm_Hgz0U20y6T6BFReuSljITPOJJ3K0Hxkvp6gc/s1600/hopeful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_tuaAWTnLYtGJThrZlQsRCEVjKQE_9expjDxQQMERGSYG3nB4LysiVtLLg5ZaVeOd4A-gtEhcrh65jmmTCU6kksqqGBNftL4nVK0xm_Hgz0U20y6T6BFReuSljITPOJJ3K0Hxkvp6gc/s640/hopeful.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-39625101640922062892016-10-12T17:21:00.000-04:002016-10-12T21:29:06.112-04:00Feeling defeated...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Have you ever worked your ass off at something and it just doesn't have the result that you want it to? That's how my appointment today can be summed up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">We left the house at 6:30am this morning, was having my brain scan by 8:30am and by 10:30am, I had to hold in the tears because the results were not what the doctor nor myself were hoping for. Honestly, there were glimmers of progress, such as some shrinking, but he certainly thought there would be more and seeing his disappointment left me wanting to run out of his office in tears. He also saw VERY small new things (grrrrr). I can't really explain what it's like to have yuck growing in my brain...it's unsettling to say the least. Overall he said he would currently call the activity in my brain stable, which in the world of metastatic cancer is a good thing, however, like I said, his reaction left me definitely feeling defeated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">And, so here are my raw and ugly emotions when I write a post on a day like today. Honestly, I was thinking it wasn't a good idea to share yesterday's post with everyone because now I must fill you all in with today's less than Excellent news. I'm not one who enjoys people feeling bad for me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Now I will end by saying I will get over this just like I do every other time. I will pick my butt off the pavement, carry on and keep fighting. But, truthfully if I didn't wallow in my own self pity now and then, I don't think I'd be human. The "bruise" from today's appointment will fade quickly and life will continue one hour at a time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Thanks everyone for your love, prayers and positive vibes. Feeling the love in my heart certainly makes for quicker healing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgEXb4LoZRL4JJgmw-lV2aN92QlI26HsAaNU_GZyYbmwLCB1L0BQaj2wgiIUcYOUhk665hMdaBf9FOWrhm-nmL-aL2fQ9gh4rOSLLKNnvx2tii_LiKZzYBRNup9cRzWZo0axkHz4BZr0/s1600/maya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgEXb4LoZRL4JJgmw-lV2aN92QlI26HsAaNU_GZyYbmwLCB1L0BQaj2wgiIUcYOUhk665hMdaBf9FOWrhm-nmL-aL2fQ9gh4rOSLLKNnvx2tii_LiKZzYBRNup9cRzWZo0axkHz4BZr0/s640/maya.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-62491676034520859252016-10-11T17:50:00.001-04:002016-10-12T21:29:28.845-04:00A quick update...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Hello all, first let me send out my heartfelt thank for all the love and kindness regarding my memere. As you know, loss is hard, no matter the age or circumstance. We all continue to heal and keep our priceless memories in our hearts. Once again, my family and I are so grateful and feel very blessed to experience the continuous love and support. So, thank you.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCQwE9UKqHJzS2e6KDfBNGV2nHR63nlSoe90pC3YFBZFsyg0N919A9VBxLlo3kRVPypO_t6B4wUn44ZEKxS3coTDVdQAl6GxUTIRuBAEcB7vWC77hAQTW8VuuJRX3QHTDxKWhAI7-jjQ/s1600/rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCQwE9UKqHJzS2e6KDfBNGV2nHR63nlSoe90pC3YFBZFsyg0N919A9VBxLlo3kRVPypO_t6B4wUn44ZEKxS3coTDVdQAl6GxUTIRuBAEcB7vWC77hAQTW8VuuJRX3QHTDxKWhAI7-jjQ/s640/rose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Tomorrow morning at 8:00, I will be having a brain MRI to follow up with the brain radiation I had a short time ago. I learned a new term since my last scan...scanxiety. The anxiety is not actually because of the scan itself, but the results they will reveal. I'm feeling optimistic, but I also continue to be cautiously optimistic, as that is my defense mechanism. The good thing is I will find out the result on the same day so I don't have to continue with the scanxiety for a long period of time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">(By the way, I can't take credit for "scanxiety", another Metavivor came up with it and boy, could I relate.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will fill you in tomorrow with my results. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Any positive thoughts and or prayers are always appreciated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV6uco6MngUhoxLYrkBMxpiyEMSnAdHPT4QiPcBkbthLuBjkv0NxlvHkvLUqBA-lJSe-rAxZK4HpVVpYogms2EDVuc0r0A90NaaQzkusJdO8hdeFSGUKQ7J1raIX-nkkGmdxprI7hbpw/s1600/faith-quote-new-2015-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV6uco6MngUhoxLYrkBMxpiyEMSnAdHPT4QiPcBkbthLuBjkv0NxlvHkvLUqBA-lJSe-rAxZK4HpVVpYogms2EDVuc0r0A90NaaQzkusJdO8hdeFSGUKQ7J1raIX-nkkGmdxprI7hbpw/s640/faith-quote-new-2015-2016.jpg" width="612" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-10430425365982360172016-09-29T22:52:00.011-04:002016-09-29T23:41:52.401-04:00What could you do with 94 years?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">When you think about how much each of us can accomplish on a daily basis, you can just imagine what you could do in 94 years of life. I saw my memere for the last time in this world on Monday evening. I was able to spend time with her, think about her impact on my life, thank her for being who she was and squeeze as much love into her as I possibly could. She left this world on Tuesday afternoon, yet the ripples of her life will continue on for generations. It's an amazing accomplishment if you really stop and breathe it all in. So amazing that we should all strive to create ripples on a daily basis with the main ingredient being LOVE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Although it has been about nine years since my memere was the same mem I had when I was a child, she still continued to be special and shine her influence on other's lives. I mention her when I speak about my drive to live each day. She became an expert at living in the moment, not due to choice, but to circumstances she was given. It is through her that I genuinely learned how to do the same. It was easy for her to see beauty. She loved walking around the yard to see the flowers, watching the glitter sparkle on a homemade gift hanging from the window, seeing her daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters dressed in pretty clothes, and enjoying meals her sons brought over especially for her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Memere resided with my parents for the past 9 years and my family and I were blessed to share many visits with her. In her later years she continued to be a strong and funny woman who spoke with pride about her past and with love and affection for her family. She considered herself blessed on a daily basis. "Look at this, isn't this great to have such a family?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Yes, Mem, it sure is.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidYblEKasNpAKKAXSs9uQk_TdBYLy9_GfPhUz7QBqxtQygG3bvwgsyr1C96ULeZHLqU7OCvh07rtPTbG2iWkRjZP8cbD7REnXW5YTsll2KGNc8CnLGy5KPd41DYkdoscSJ-SBdsuDKO4/s1600/IMG_4194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidYblEKasNpAKKAXSs9uQk_TdBYLy9_GfPhUz7QBqxtQygG3bvwgsyr1C96ULeZHLqU7OCvh07rtPTbG2iWkRjZP8cbD7REnXW5YTsll2KGNc8CnLGy5KPd41DYkdoscSJ-SBdsuDKO4/s640/IMG_4194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cJGf12ClFQQwTQ16lgQnnpDm2zPxJJbBCFF7nCz3yzijGDd4fN-qQFIL5Esv5hH67PX6KGY3GMVJF_YQQUzY2v_yaf33IAuklnRZf6tl-6emkAeYlXynZRG9KmjFetRoWcl5s-E3K2A/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cJGf12ClFQQwTQ16lgQnnpDm2zPxJJbBCFF7nCz3yzijGDd4fN-qQFIL5Esv5hH67PX6KGY3GMVJF_YQQUzY2v_yaf33IAuklnRZf6tl-6emkAeYlXynZRG9KmjFetRoWcl5s-E3K2A/s640/IMG_3289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Some may think it would be a burden to care for an aging parent, but my mother and father saw it as quite the opposite.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">My mom would leave for work each day and consistently Memere would compliment her on how nice she looked. Daily, she'd thank her for the good food and again, consider herself lucky to have a family like hers. It's not to say that there weren't some hard days, but there were always blessings shared...and always "I love yous" exchanged each night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">It was my mom's mission to help my memere live out the rest of her life as happily and contently as she could. She achieved just that, even to the very end. Anyone who knows my mom (and dad) knows they are expert givers; others are always the priority. Mom continuously loves with her whole heart and is happiest doing for others. To be a witness to such selfless love with my mem was certainly a gift to me and anyone else who saw it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65q-Lz59_NyqfDtnZjSHP23dw5jhFXPovO5GhBa5vWPcycuKmPyNvS9e-8mZUCWisGP055XyYliUxb8lhJRaTH_msZ3UXyV9hI4lUOJui6av972fGaE1Q2X38wuQgE9WGEl3cfg8jeyw/s1600/IMG_7545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65q-Lz59_NyqfDtnZjSHP23dw5jhFXPovO5GhBa5vWPcycuKmPyNvS9e-8mZUCWisGP055XyYliUxb8lhJRaTH_msZ3UXyV9hI4lUOJui6av972fGaE1Q2X38wuQgE9WGEl3cfg8jeyw/s640/IMG_7545.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">The younger memories I have of my grandmother remind me of how clever, creative and smart she was. She could create things without patterns just by looking at them. Things like Christmas Villages, my crocheted wedding bells, knit hats and scarves and an old childhood quilt will help to keep all the memories close to my heart.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXEMOf0KUCCAP3h_VaNgMTCABTd2bowzW5mZ_OJxoN-ZsucvOQG4YxqH5IAnBpuzPFWTPt3vFDQ6NwoYqvrsT2YF_hyphenhyphenMYCafdyuj_-YTOCp-u3gY4D-ZUdQJOqAmBGVzoZHjxHjxn-JI/s1600/village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXEMOf0KUCCAP3h_VaNgMTCABTd2bowzW5mZ_OJxoN-ZsucvOQG4YxqH5IAnBpuzPFWTPt3vFDQ6NwoYqvrsT2YF_hyphenhyphenMYCafdyuj_-YTOCp-u3gY4D-ZUdQJOqAmBGVzoZHjxHjxn-JI/s640/village.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gGZIgTw4ic883h3dXuL4AoiFYGPVY-lJ6SjAofSZB7Tqc-aTHuzlqRX7d3m49ioIjTdvvtnvCJ9qVgwDdGUtd7vIpLbyf0tm_4HBfpNmui7ewG-HBXVTyqhZFuTSDKP0oBtSzTo2-KI/s1600/IMG_5260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gGZIgTw4ic883h3dXuL4AoiFYGPVY-lJ6SjAofSZB7Tqc-aTHuzlqRX7d3m49ioIjTdvvtnvCJ9qVgwDdGUtd7vIpLbyf0tm_4HBfpNmui7ewG-HBXVTyqhZFuTSDKP0oBtSzTo2-KI/s640/IMG_5260.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> I remember making surprise visits on some Saturdays to ask Mem to make crepes. I remember the handmade raspberry jam we rolled in the middle and the watered down orange juice we were served. I remember how my grandfather would help with serving us and I especially remember how it felt so special to be a part of their day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Hopefully I'll be able to get the recipe mastered and even be able to make crepes or pies for my own children one of these days, but I'm not sure they'll be as good as I remember them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Saying Goodbye is not easy, especially when you have a memere who's been part of your life for 44 years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Mem, I will miss an infinite number of things about you. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss hearing the pride in your voice as you talk about your parents and 10 brothers and sisters.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss hearing about about how lucky you are to have such a "close family".</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss your spunk and sense of humor.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss your compliments.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss watching you find simple joy in each day. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss taking selfies with you.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss my children getting to grow up beside you(but feel so blessed to have had you this long).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss kissing your cheek and telling you I love you.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I will miss YOU.xo</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsaNrYe0XDZUNxsNzGvFenE-VxHS1sCoXmrEQuKHlqhnhLoHIGoF5JT6zZKrsJAOqOzFl2gI5PyTUsiIZUl9VN9_wmxvLwRYkFKjUSB7fAmXEKkYUgRBXmauFXbF04AAkht0_HtfylBo/s1600/IMG_7360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsaNrYe0XDZUNxsNzGvFenE-VxHS1sCoXmrEQuKHlqhnhLoHIGoF5JT6zZKrsJAOqOzFl2gI5PyTUsiIZUl9VN9_wmxvLwRYkFKjUSB7fAmXEKkYUgRBXmauFXbF04AAkht0_HtfylBo/s640/IMG_7360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdIY7Hnqduorkn_vVXqf143WBqmKMQjK92Nvqb2nyUAOgqpw2lulfPdbOZ_8v4Ef_w0aGP9JRH-ZyYfvs-UFRz6HM4BvD20MM_gOqWgFZ8xOslNdBb3csbiHd_BQ_aPxQPMv9Nwt9Ijk/s1600/IMG_7379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdIY7Hnqduorkn_vVXqf143WBqmKMQjK92Nvqb2nyUAOgqpw2lulfPdbOZ_8v4Ef_w0aGP9JRH-ZyYfvs-UFRz6HM4BvD20MM_gOqWgFZ8xOslNdBb3csbiHd_BQ_aPxQPMv9Nwt9Ijk/s640/IMG_7379.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyXCCEsDAbZUzxUWzEdd8no2xPCQJ6uSpgcFkn5ymkyWM-KLuq_O8Mzg5qSrcAQI4PGs9dTFcI9T8sNI-fOlpuEH-XMLnsnJzpJz82EbN9gxZeRgDcG-JOXe6c3zDLhr4gIvVynrvR8Y/s1600/10854934_10205145670715609_6372178109322126332_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKyXCCEsDAbZUzxUWzEdd8no2xPCQJ6uSpgcFkn5ymkyWM-KLuq_O8Mzg5qSrcAQI4PGs9dTFcI9T8sNI-fOlpuEH-XMLnsnJzpJz82EbN9gxZeRgDcG-JOXe6c3zDLhr4gIvVynrvR8Y/s640/10854934_10205145670715609_6372178109322126332_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Although you have so many fans here on this Earth, I believe your biggest fan has been waiting a very long time for you. Tell Pepere we send our love and kisses. There's no need to tell him to take good care of you, because we know for sure he will.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYti38Fsdi1GvVtqU7p9APqgAPOOb6zmL-nHe7P_y0dkC_UAZMiaanTGvr144TjF7lH-UMyMUNP89DmW0U8LPBSB1j-4Xy46SVzRexBRge4Ns4mn_ozFr1kYe4MRHAqMzeZF7YtCgFFZc/s1600/30+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYti38Fsdi1GvVtqU7p9APqgAPOOb6zmL-nHe7P_y0dkC_UAZMiaanTGvr144TjF7lH-UMyMUNP89DmW0U8LPBSB1j-4Xy46SVzRexBRge4Ns4mn_ozFr1kYe4MRHAqMzeZF7YtCgFFZc/s640/30+copy+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgw630xJOHvEAri9L9E_O9-Ga4hpwo1DkOAL70batirqx4VP5O8wTTF9Q7Orw-H9NBgPKVgH4pYRGmgnyXLqWkNPNUIMDkkyXCVAO7q8e6_EwT6Vn3XIDD8uPKWDx4lz-t4HYUa0-W3Y/s1600/34+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgw630xJOHvEAri9L9E_O9-Ga4hpwo1DkOAL70batirqx4VP5O8wTTF9Q7Orw-H9NBgPKVgH4pYRGmgnyXLqWkNPNUIMDkkyXCVAO7q8e6_EwT6Vn3XIDD8uPKWDx4lz-t4HYUa0-W3Y/s640/34+copy.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Rest in Peace Sweet Memere, I love you to the moon and back. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">And by the way, I hope I have inherited some of your kick ass strength. I've never met a stronger 94 year old.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpHrq22iYMCq_gHr7ZwiAAtKFOOWpFabaxf9mXMWqvir04exlFFpl11YqzbbnQ6mYroYaMn-pj1RZQtq-Sbb816c3kSKngDnuuYkzwYt6GIZX8dk6eVPyY5-3tFPSRgSOVGwwtE1DvW8/s1600/windown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjpHrq22iYMCq_gHr7ZwiAAtKFOOWpFabaxf9mXMWqvir04exlFFpl11YqzbbnQ6mYroYaMn-pj1RZQtq-Sbb816c3kSKngDnuuYkzwYt6GIZX8dk6eVPyY5-3tFPSRgSOVGwwtE1DvW8/s640/windown.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3amk3RmalxAd9Ndw4IYaOdoKceIgsyNS5DQmMgi3eEnLYMukCq_PK92HiD6Rdh0tA8l5tpiCTeoSsW5NwEsqmv3g2ZHcVB4q3kzSZuvqMOeDaR1ZhWoIkveb85FLQ_ZVU8KJ-uk9TNbM/s1600/IMG_5252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3amk3RmalxAd9Ndw4IYaOdoKceIgsyNS5DQmMgi3eEnLYMukCq_PK92HiD6Rdh0tA8l5tpiCTeoSsW5NwEsqmv3g2ZHcVB4q3kzSZuvqMOeDaR1ZhWoIkveb85FLQ_ZVU8KJ-uk9TNbM/s640/IMG_5252.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Whenever you deeply accept this moment as it is - no matter what form it takes- you are still, you are at peace."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">-Eckhart Tolle</span></div>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-84057327395372317642016-09-22T22:48:00.007-04:002016-09-22T23:29:23.925-04:00It's my birthday!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Here we go again. It's been almost a month since my last post. I continue to heal from the brain radiation and it has become a bit more difficult for me to express myself. I'm a slower thinker, I have terrible word retrievel, my balance and strength are not what they used to be and I'm just plain tired most of the time. Using our brains is hard work, and for me that's even more evident and exhausting. That being said, I'm doing ok and the doctor is confident that the procedure worked. We will know for sure in October when I have my brain scan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">But Friday is my birthday and we are going to celebrate...the everyday moments of life. And I will proudly announce that I turn 44, because folks, getting older is a privilege. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> While thinking of my big 44 coming up tomorrow, I was also reminded of the gifts I have received from people on a daily basis. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> I have been gifted by family, friends, and complete strangers since being diagnosed with MBC. Here is a short excerpt from the past 16 months. Maybe you're interested in continuing to spread the kindness? I didn't wanted to start with too extensive a list in one post, so for now, here are 10 ideas. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> Gift Ideas </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">(not in any particular order except for #1)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">and maybe I should also admit that my favorite gifts are the ones that do not cost a cent, but maybe just a bit of time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">1. LOVE</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">2. Handwritten cards and notes</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm8HFGBSkfplo6I5gwbxIoUH9RgZO4mOEmIg4lMv1GGY7L_Lv52N2W7Z9qMF3sgkZRUUEuSJLZtDuXzdEjoXUlXnEhfaJBusvUfL11xrLw9ub8_xLW5HTayrL85-iuhQswPrL2CpAocU/s1600/cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYm8HFGBSkfplo6I5gwbxIoUH9RgZO4mOEmIg4lMv1GGY7L_Lv52N2W7Z9qMF3sgkZRUUEuSJLZtDuXzdEjoXUlXnEhfaJBusvUfL11xrLw9ub8_xLW5HTayrL85-iuhQswPrL2CpAocU/s640/cards.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">3. Handmade gifts (from kids and adults)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HCM2VhpJP8mdp1hFxrNnkYyKhhL8g0NiB3tyAa1HCTXRlUVWT8F2oRhLq7A8Rsn1tPuFWnAHhdAyZWDjJM9cntPKF4d-nGF-zwpiVTQUl4h1cZW5lf7uwyVJgm6o42m_LsjAgi7Bhik/s1600/Bridget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HCM2VhpJP8mdp1hFxrNnkYyKhhL8g0NiB3tyAa1HCTXRlUVWT8F2oRhLq7A8Rsn1tPuFWnAHhdAyZWDjJM9cntPKF4d-nGF-zwpiVTQUl4h1cZW5lf7uwyVJgm6o42m_LsjAgi7Bhik/s640/Bridget.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">4. Messages through email, Facebook and texting (short, long, or in between).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">5. Flowers and plants (anything to show life's beauty).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEw2Qplq1bwC4DUv6hK2NJZMAsh4GlHMiQZPvIZkr7cM4xfY6uBicakA16-AtZE6pqRyRq5ThCTrwgFRS7B6AeoczmUFbEzmNo0NinJg_34BfomivgNMoN0HSEVNm5qXmUmHPN4u694Q/s1600/flowers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEw2Qplq1bwC4DUv6hK2NJZMAsh4GlHMiQZPvIZkr7cM4xfY6uBicakA16-AtZE6pqRyRq5ThCTrwgFRS7B6AeoczmUFbEzmNo0NinJg_34BfomivgNMoN0HSEVNm5qXmUmHPN4u694Q/s640/flowers2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYAWuokE73I_LySwi3izNkMjRrLve18PtiVKp0YFrBsFV-l7SbmuUsvVfoddHE831uws95tcHqQmDTKe_lq-7EXaezjUe7u2CEVZFhyqqffzIowPZxtWQ9o0zqqqvQ0am6kKq42JKZm0/s1600/flowers3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYAWuokE73I_LySwi3izNkMjRrLve18PtiVKp0YFrBsFV-l7SbmuUsvVfoddHE831uws95tcHqQmDTKe_lq-7EXaezjUe7u2CEVZFhyqqffzIowPZxtWQ9o0zqqqvQ0am6kKq42JKZm0/s640/flowers3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">6. Jewelry. <a href="http://www.lisaleonard.com/?gclid=CPrJupuvpM8CFYJbhgodcl0DtA">Lisa Leonard</a> is my favorite site.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">7. I'm a quote girl and when it's paired with artwork, it's even better. <a href="http://valeriewienersart.com/">Valerie Wieners</a> and <a href="http://www.kellyraeroberts.com/">Kelly Rae Roberts</a> are two of my favorites.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFybPug72YYLk86EGOo5NoanS2sY6voDXLFtnLKVUeiH4VsBMTUguQjkb7jSMy-R8KwgQIRdTNbkvpWucZWPwfU7110P_QnL7qOr6HVc_888kx7H2nDnCVrHZBG3AZNXHLr5aX-PuhKHY/s1600/KRR_SoulCare_Manifesto_18x24_72-500x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFybPug72YYLk86EGOo5NoanS2sY6voDXLFtnLKVUeiH4VsBMTUguQjkb7jSMy-R8KwgQIRdTNbkvpWucZWPwfU7110P_QnL7qOr6HVc_888kx7H2nDnCVrHZBG3AZNXHLr5aX-PuhKHY/s640/KRR_SoulCare_Manifesto_18x24_72-500x600.jpg" width="531" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">8. Organic Tea and Tea Cups are good for tea drinkers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ8EmPaZod1GXGo1s72u2tfraMNq75XgV6Q9bLZuQ84wv98_FyHgNNKHpY1IMHvmgZ43g9OzN5uRtYCbxUyk3asCpJKyDhlO0Wp7Enmh9fBdn5pA3C1SsBY_0GtZv28tcgNtax-Q3SiU/s1600/yogi+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ8EmPaZod1GXGo1s72u2tfraMNq75XgV6Q9bLZuQ84wv98_FyHgNNKHpY1IMHvmgZ43g9OzN5uRtYCbxUyk3asCpJKyDhlO0Wp7Enmh9fBdn5pA3C1SsBY_0GtZv28tcgNtax-Q3SiU/s640/yogi+tea.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">9. Comfortable attire is always a good choice. Things like socks, slippers, and pajamas pants are some of my favorites. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9OSRyO9P4PcVz6ejcaJNt1h2OZOV_3i-19bzkca3uZwrEaxeJejaPhQ0lc-GJTOl3vhp22W6_rYnUyzUHLXDf87gBAMam3D8QEibKJSqBHgrbSS-qn-Vvn1RzLFss2nlZwANFAcUHZw/s1600/slippers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9OSRyO9P4PcVz6ejcaJNt1h2OZOV_3i-19bzkca3uZwrEaxeJejaPhQ0lc-GJTOl3vhp22W6_rYnUyzUHLXDf87gBAMam3D8QEibKJSqBHgrbSS-qn-Vvn1RzLFss2nlZwANFAcUHZw/s640/slippers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeHJXwNGuIQ_czWf6FHiIXtom_06AIytgwO8vehdR0aPs9FjND4O4XwF_cXmlIyU1gNaSPw7yhnWvby7vwLk1RmoEpX07zNp_E9zTAlNq3kj2HFbEsyatQRpKkfipD8Ljw4m9IfvBT8Q/s1600/socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeHJXwNGuIQ_czWf6FHiIXtom_06AIytgwO8vehdR0aPs9FjND4O4XwF_cXmlIyU1gNaSPw7yhnWvby7vwLk1RmoEpX07zNp_E9zTAlNq3kj2HFbEsyatQRpKkfipD8Ljw4m9IfvBT8Q/s640/socks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">10. Kindness...which seems to be a consistent theme with all these ideas. I'm a recipient of this priceless gift daily.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Happy Birthday to me, now go out and do something kind for someone...create ripples that are infinite, and spread the love. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">And, I have one last birthday wish for me, perhaps it's a tad selfish, but before ending your day tomorrow, educate someone about Metastatic Breast Cancer. I'm wishing for many more birthday posts in the years to come, all written by me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Here is a great <a href="http://www.abetterdream.com/2015/08/the-difficult-reality.html">link</a> to share. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Thank you all for being the best damn support system a girl could have, much love. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">-Oprah Winfrey</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">PS Look for information, coming soon, about our fundraising opportunities for MBC.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-42560302159917374062016-08-26T11:01:00.000-04:002016-08-26T11:01:03.165-04:00The art of living...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Fridays are usually my favorite days, but today, not so much. At 1:40pm this afternoon, I'm scheduled for stereotatic radiation. Basically, it's a precise radiation procedure to specifically target the two spots on my brain that are not stable. Although this is a routine and "simple" procedure for the radiation oncologist, for me, as the patient, it's quite intense and intimidating. I'll be happy when it's done and even happier when they confirm it worked. Last week I went in to have my mask made...I had visions of the movie Silence of the Lambs, right down to the part where I had to bite down on a piece of it so my mouth remains still during the procedure. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Sometimes the yuck takes over my day and I can't help but focus on the way it's messed up things. Questions and concerns from my two loves tend to rip at my heartstrings the most, but we are all doing the best we can and helping one another to get through the hard moments. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Big C doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. Every day is a challenge, some days more than others, but I'm still very much alive. I have learned to consciously choose to focus on things that are not part of the yuck...I'd rather not be defined solely by the big C because I'm more than that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm still able to be a momma, show creativity, have conversations, and go for walks. I have a soul that yearns to feel at peace, love others, laugh and feel loved. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpuIhy8FDzLVBYfCQPe7vH25h-OfPfYWjV_s3NrZ5sNsNfN9c0w4MT78KxrLRsxvraN2zNNzj6ZwBFUV5qbXmgrgXymywEaOAxCKi1w3OBrzK8ZwTovg_2XZuo-SOljbGE2OSQKMss3g/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpuIhy8FDzLVBYfCQPe7vH25h-OfPfYWjV_s3NrZ5sNsNfN9c0w4MT78KxrLRsxvraN2zNNzj6ZwBFUV5qbXmgrgXymywEaOAxCKi1w3OBrzK8ZwTovg_2XZuo-SOljbGE2OSQKMss3g/s640/us.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Cancer can go screw itself because I refuse to let it overtake my life. It doesn't deserve that much attention. The biggest payback I can give it is to find happiness in the everyday and LIVE.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_F6aJghMeQtmaEzifo03hNg0PWwgPuDNAQQQNtPqvZDbiZp2bXU5uVrbnjTBkFoYZz1yLlZCtSXdqH3z5flXEIVD39gJK8KkIEHhoHv4ZqN7b4SboDVH6TtDN6hvDkPW-J74qBXp0cc/s1600/all-the-art-of-living-lies-in-a-fine-mingling-of-letting-go-and-holding-on-403x403-nk5o4z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_F6aJghMeQtmaEzifo03hNg0PWwgPuDNAQQQNtPqvZDbiZp2bXU5uVrbnjTBkFoYZz1yLlZCtSXdqH3z5flXEIVD39gJK8KkIEHhoHv4ZqN7b4SboDVH6TtDN6hvDkPW-J74qBXp0cc/s640/all-the-art-of-living-lies-in-a-fine-mingling-of-letting-go-and-holding-on-403x403-nk5o4z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-69270364328072584632016-08-05T10:56:00.003-04:002016-08-05T12:10:03.373-04:00Waves...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">When my visit to the doctor ended with my oncologist hugging me, it confirmed the fact that the visit was emotional. The yuck in my body is not leaving me alone and there are some spots, specifically in my brain and lung that need to be taken care of. My doctor feels it needs a specific, stronger treatment to put a stop to it. Monday we will meet with the radiation oncologist to hear the options for the brain and Thursday I start intravenous chemotherapy. Although both areas grew only slight amounts, it is concerning because of where they're located. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmA2VFVOmHkC2uAGeCvGnc0y6OWZY4_row0ocfcbW-XTmQTizukZgY5BNM68VW1knAIvDmMg8Rh7VI0z4N35pI7k1Oj-ruB9lbBF9lHWNzPtZz7gRvo2dWrcAs4COAP05n_sPlhXyQvA/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmA2VFVOmHkC2uAGeCvGnc0y6OWZY4_row0ocfcbW-XTmQTizukZgY5BNM68VW1knAIvDmMg8Rh7VI0z4N35pI7k1Oj-ruB9lbBF9lHWNzPtZz7gRvo2dWrcAs4COAP05n_sPlhXyQvA/s640/IMG_2587.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Although I enter each visit with a cautiously optimistic attitude, I kind of felt like yesterday I was shoved off the wave I was finally learning to surf. This has been a rough year, constantly full of treatments, medicines, stalking the Big C and making changes when it starts acting up. It's not only frustrating and exhausting to receive this kind of news, it is terrifying! Honestly, a visit like yesterday makes me feel that much closer to the end of the list from the tool box of treatments. Then what? Well, we all know the answer to that and that is why it's terrifying. Apparently, I still have a large list to work from, but it doesn't seem to make this any easier. I'd rather not become an expert surfer, having to ride all these wild waves everyday. I just want a smooth ocean for a good chunk of time. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLygdnaiP8Z30UKZ60pl0CNueFlZd__aGwH80a8FUazbXtosmMZGWZyVIMtVuQFsSfDFJ0SMMDioQt-iwimZyc2jn9yLtWiOQjwqeS4iANohgVEv1a8rctrUgT5ffTobIF9BxVQiZj6P8/s1600/IMG_2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLygdnaiP8Z30UKZ60pl0CNueFlZd__aGwH80a8FUazbXtosmMZGWZyVIMtVuQFsSfDFJ0SMMDioQt-iwimZyc2jn9yLtWiOQjwqeS4iANohgVEv1a8rctrUgT5ffTobIF9BxVQiZj6P8/s640/IMG_2667.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I'm probably working harder at this than I have ever worked in my life. Taking supplements, maintaining a healthy diet, using essential oils, vitamin infusions is more than a full-time job. I currently have multiple doctors weighing in on my treatments and I have to manage all of the them. When I have been working this hard and then I get news like I did yesterday, saying it's frustrating is an understatement.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FuOG5-MBnYRVedzrIDgim6HBe35eVEUM6geVsj7D1ZTrZZc5FV3IBU_ViRnI8LP2e0gxHxph_eVPJ3WJ_Rs2fZoC8OxX-en3PRoD1hVibn6xz1Z_C3A3V4F9QidJfUkmJ0a2TwpusiI/s1600/IMG_2663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FuOG5-MBnYRVedzrIDgim6HBe35eVEUM6geVsj7D1ZTrZZc5FV3IBU_ViRnI8LP2e0gxHxph_eVPJ3WJ_Rs2fZoC8OxX-en3PRoD1hVibn6xz1Z_C3A3V4F9QidJfUkmJ0a2TwpusiI/s640/IMG_2663.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Luckily the support system I have is supplied with endless kind words, hugs, and love and for that I am grateful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">In the moment I don't always feel like I can do this, but somehow I'll pick myself up and continue to ride the waves and maybe even get better at it as time progresses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">"Sometimes you just have to ride the wave you're given."</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-70126371468615909922016-07-30T13:10:00.000-04:002016-07-30T13:18:04.752-04:00Do it anyway...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">About a month ago, I was having a conversation with a friend and the unknown fact that I swam in high school came up. I wasn't a star swimmer as I only participated during the school swim season. But, I could do all the strokes and the butterfly was my favorite. Having this conversation got my interest peaked to test out my stroke the next time I was in the water, and I even told her I would text her a video. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This past week we were on vacation and I used the resort pool to test out whether or not I was continuing to live in my former life. I'm happy to say it was similar to riding a bike and I did it. My legs are a bit weak-looking from the yuck in my body, but for a 43 year old with metastatic breast cancer, I was proud of myself...sorry for the bragging. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flinda.leclairsousa%2Fvideos%2Fvb.1659935723%2F10208901212721812%2F%3Ftype%3D3&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">A couple of months ago, I couldn't sit in a car without intense pain and this week I swam the butterfly stroke in a pool. If you would have told me months ago that I would have done that, I wouldn't have believed you. But I even proved myself wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">When you doubt yourself, I challenge you to do it anyway. I think most times you'll be surprised and you'll be glad you made that decision. Most rewards are a result of risks and challenges. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">It's painful for me to look at photos and remember the memories before my new life started last summer. The posts from Facebook pop up from years ago and it brings tears. My old life is gone, only memories and experiences keep us connected. I can hold them in my heart and be grateful they were a part of my life, but if I get too stuck there, it's not helpful. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">So, this small moment, where I was able to connect the old with the new helped me to see that maybe it's not all gone, but merely transformed. It also reminded me to have faith; regardless of the challenges life experience's</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> possess, go for it and do it anyway. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6uLtyzRgmyI" width="560"></iframe>
</center>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-8862514875074268622016-07-14T14:46:00.003-04:002016-07-14T15:02:02.469-04:00The Real Deal...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">As promised, I'm going to share more of the details from my visit to Dana Farber last week. I guess I think it's important to keep all of it real. It was a positive visit, but honestly it's truly never easy, and this day was no different.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Our day started before 7:00am when we left the house to arrive by 8:00am for bloodwork; bloodwork that revealed that my White Blood Cell count was still in the gutter and that I had to continue to wait for it to go up before restarting the meds because of my safety. It also resulted in a smaller dosage that hopefully will still attack and kill the yuck. And still, here we are a week later, and I find myself in the same predicament. My WBC are moving like a sloth and apparently in reverse. Getting that news on Tuesday was certainly frustrating and left me feeling a bit paralyzed and defeated. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g_NSRbWoGqfup_ybGtbNuCO00XcJzqrHu5GCWed4SeuwJtTCRjCNlmTh5AMLCiF9AswCKzSrKR_80KBvcwvglxl7Lu3CD4m90tgrq8hcWf7TygtMf9D4Faej1l6crPqGjlk7tyvAf10/s1600/paralyzed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0g_NSRbWoGqfup_ybGtbNuCO00XcJzqrHu5GCWed4SeuwJtTCRjCNlmTh5AMLCiF9AswCKzSrKR_80KBvcwvglxl7Lu3CD4m90tgrq8hcWf7TygtMf9D4Faej1l6crPqGjlk7tyvAf10/s640/paralyzed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"> Back to last week - the visit also included an appointment with my oncologist, an infusion of some meds for my bones, two painful shots in my tush and my first visit with a neuro-oncologist, including a thorough exam, done by his fellow, of my brain function, of which I passed with flying colors. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Most of the two hour visit was also spent talking about my symptoms and experiences I've had prior to diagnosis and after. He concluded that it was probably best to prescribe a low dose of some medication for seizures, as it is his determination that the long term issues I've had with my eyes and the numbing sensations in other parts of my body could be small seizures. I was not surprised, but actually a bit relieved, because I've "known" for some time that these vision and numbing sensation episodes have been small seizures; I know my body, sometimes too well. The hope is that by being on the meds, things will not be as frequent and I will not have to panic every time it happens. He is really not worried about the "seizures" because they come and go, which is a good sign. He just doesn't want the small to ultimately become big, thus the meds. The meds have been a simple addition to my daily regiment and if they can give me some peace of mind, it is certainly worth taking them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Eight hours later after more, unscheduled bloodwork, we finally left, exhausted from the day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This truly is a full-time job and on this day, I undoubtably worked my entire shift with few breaks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">So as I continue to wait for my WBC to rise, I try to take advantage of the less side effects I seem to be experiencing and reflecting on the positives, like today's visit to the radiation oncologist when she said, "Well, I think you're doing outstanding." She doesn't know all the ins and outs but as far as recovering from the radiation, she was very pleased. And her being pleased, gives me some relief as well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">And a welcomed distraction to the Big C has been this nest of newly hatched birds. I'm slightly obsessed with getting a glimpse of them on a daily basis. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhDJM4eU5WNrAEiB6QMe0sqxYRquPslBIdk47g22xHppn229MPEJMftO86NMNzYSUXto6YOQlyED4LC2dJartuhplVU5YolIh46h8Syv-YBTfhMSyK9oiSz1rij0hmWBisV8UgTqfRWY/s1600/birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhDJM4eU5WNrAEiB6QMe0sqxYRquPslBIdk47g22xHppn229MPEJMftO86NMNzYSUXto6YOQlyED4LC2dJartuhplVU5YolIh46h8Syv-YBTfhMSyK9oiSz1rij0hmWBisV8UgTqfRWY/s640/birds.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"The Real Deal is always going to win in the end."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-49691882201909906052016-07-08T09:08:00.001-04:002016-07-08T09:19:42.272-04:00Let's overwhelm the world...with kindness.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I was watching The Tonight Show last night and once again a news report scrolls across the screen. "Twelve officers shot by 5 shooters." It continues to be shocking, however, in some ways it feels like we are becoming numb to all this madness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">"You don't get harmony when everyone sings the same note."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">-Doug Floyd</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">When are we going to learn to embrace the differences and show love and kindness? It needs to start with each of us and it seems there is no time to waste...start now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">-Albert Schweitzer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">My E asked me this morning what was going on. It's a sad sad day when this type of situation is becoming so commonplace and we have to talk to our children about it on a daily basis. Teach your children well and be the example this world needs. Teach them to be kind and respect all lives, because we ALL matter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">-Demond Tutu</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vXFeeJ6LSMc?list=RDsTnKYDIwNpY" width="560"></iframe><br />
<center>
</center>
</center>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-22870749905259083492016-06-23T00:07:00.008-04:002016-07-07T20:44:52.413-04:00Working Overtime...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I feel like I'm working overtime these days still trying to recover from the nonsense from over a month ago. The struggle to get through each day is very real and it's hard not to get in a slump with this "one step forward, three back" routine. I've kind of had enough yuck for a while, and I'm just so dang tired. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOryspqr3NcivwGOrESMBgszlJEIVliYujNLei1M2Ts4V85YBHLDmGm5EpJTyjnlvfklD7IyjxEQD4aINeHJFCgL0Yde2JQB29cmormRyL5sgF_HWfs1bhGwwCaJnmpQk6r3qD0Ms4hw8/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOryspqr3NcivwGOrESMBgszlJEIVliYujNLei1M2Ts4V85YBHLDmGm5EpJTyjnlvfklD7IyjxEQD4aINeHJFCgL0Yde2JQB29cmormRyL5sgF_HWfs1bhGwwCaJnmpQk6r3qD0Ms4hw8/s640/IMG_2051.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The good news and a list to concretely show my progress:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-I am free from the intense back pain I was experiencing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-I have weaned off all pain meds...that is no joke and believe me, it's something to be proud of...phew!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-I am eating oatmeal successfully every morning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-I'm taking some supplements again and drinking my nightly smoothies made by my Rock Star husband.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-I gained back a pound.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-I'm trying to restart my daily walking regiment.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-I'm doing more around the house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm hoping this list continues to grow as time goes on and I regain some of my stamina, motivation and energy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfpBeAYJ724tHIyBfotHIq_mW1bV3-y2Ywmrz55nq2RL6zkZou24vLucgfVAII1jmkvvboQyW3QQEtc8ViIeRaJ8k6Sp-1cIKebywvVv-xhH1UxhUyjcy0D8ma0r5HAQ6EzK6WNDYdWc/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfpBeAYJ724tHIyBfotHIq_mW1bV3-y2Ywmrz55nq2RL6zkZou24vLucgfVAII1jmkvvboQyW3QQEtc8ViIeRaJ8k6Sp-1cIKebywvVv-xhH1UxhUyjcy0D8ma0r5HAQ6EzK6WNDYdWc/s640/IMG_2052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I had my visit (for a LONG 8 hours) to Dana Farber today and overall my doctors seem to think I am doing well. That is reassuring. I'll fill you all in on the details in another post. For now, I'm calling it a night.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">As always, thank you for your LOVE. It fills my heart, especially on these very difficult days I've recently had.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"To be the best you have to work overtime."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">-Floyd Mayweather Jr.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-56720542914386049322016-06-23T00:07:00.007-04:002016-07-02T18:10:31.813-04:00Finding small victories in the year of yuck...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This past Wednesday marked one entire year since I received the dreaded phone call that changed things...forever.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This year has been filled with enough yuck to fill an entire book, with some chapters titled Whole Brain Radiation, Nausea, Xeloda, Blood Tests, Supplements, Side Effects, Pain, Exhaustion, More Radiation and Scans. I've also realized it is filled with more than yuck as well, and that part may have even more substance. Those chapters could be titled Hope, Faith, Loved Beyond Measure, Strength, Family, Vitamin C, Better Veins, One Day at a Time, Small Steps, Support, Still Here, Blessed and Growth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Looking back on the year, I have experienced so many emotions, and to say it's been hard is an understatement. Some days I struggled to know how to get through. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">But, hard things can teach us so much if we're willing to learn. I have become better at accepting help and even asking for it when I can't do it all myself. I don't have to do this alone and why do I even need to when I am surrounded by such a support system? I learned that I have been blessed by so many people who are willing to step in, encourage and truly love me. </span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I'm am loved and supported and treated with immense kindness from people in my life. I have learned the true meaning of strength and know that sometimes it means breaking down and relying on others to hold me up. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I've also learned that the more layers that are peeled off, the more I realize the blessings in the everyday, ordinary and mundane. I'm more in tune to the small daily victories I experience, like being able to go for a walk, watch my children play soccer, make a meal for my family, weed my garden, paint my front door and mop the kitchen floor.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"Nothing will ever go away, until it teaches us what we need to know."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">-Pema Chodron</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FnvbvstZS8ARcY4XceRYoSQ9BEch065RxKlphTTBzXziCb5R7ujA_rT8FhtlvlIu_Eao9jlsMxVvxfO5AgKCQ_8-9Cj8sCoVCkQGZbiYSNYHROZpvlD3XrD6cncvu108uEWrwsItEDs/s1600/IMG_2018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FnvbvstZS8ARcY4XceRYoSQ9BEch065RxKlphTTBzXziCb5R7ujA_rT8FhtlvlIu_Eao9jlsMxVvxfO5AgKCQ_8-9Cj8sCoVCkQGZbiYSNYHROZpvlD3XrD6cncvu108uEWrwsItEDs/s640/IMG_2018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6O2cKLfis2dmMh8sZ7KZCfxYR3n-bn8XE7ItIudZBkrlKlTmQa-aMPZ8GRWN9X4T8FdbcmSsXMIfTVwfrg_tPpq_88hC0clRBvkEpiSNWxb9L6_3ZrYe5P5FR7S7LcZFL-oob_57HZw/s1600/IMG_2029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6O2cKLfis2dmMh8sZ7KZCfxYR3n-bn8XE7ItIudZBkrlKlTmQa-aMPZ8GRWN9X4T8FdbcmSsXMIfTVwfrg_tPpq_88hC0clRBvkEpiSNWxb9L6_3ZrYe5P5FR7S7LcZFL-oob_57HZw/s640/IMG_2029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo0fV81nWHjgG9miNrpFUHiJdmCxNKCd52uyj26U8qdjE3LNs0G0s-3yr_HNhQUwdHDEvlinuevnsRv9p2XcEMHeV0M9IJFfUavgWp2wvU7SbAZqHuc39GdmFcoUj5iVNcjTS9S5A7y4/s1600/IMG_2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo0fV81nWHjgG9miNrpFUHiJdmCxNKCd52uyj26U8qdjE3LNs0G0s-3yr_HNhQUwdHDEvlinuevnsRv9p2XcEMHeV0M9IJFfUavgWp2wvU7SbAZqHuc39GdmFcoUj5iVNcjTS9S5A7y4/s640/IMG_2006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I continue to do my best to be patient with myself. If I wake up in the morning with nausea and exhaustion it doesn't equal a bad day, it merely indicates a rough morning that could likely get better. My new life consists of moments, some big, but most small victories I have learned to recognize in the everyday. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hfOyKZMsBGvFycAb0RXkfPoyWHa7VD8xYWfihVIv9OyHap5uL9jXMXbJCj8q73kJgWxydSRLm7N28IsW0DB70hmnUBHucVp4NrRY8FZxvF6JbcWkz3aB-CfZ-2b0wN_40ObgvpDdLv8/s1600/strength.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hfOyKZMsBGvFycAb0RXkfPoyWHa7VD8xYWfihVIv9OyHap5uL9jXMXbJCj8q73kJgWxydSRLm7N28IsW0DB70hmnUBHucVp4NrRY8FZxvF6JbcWkz3aB-CfZ-2b0wN_40ObgvpDdLv8/s640/strength.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7186493240518477433.post-23693409931955053712016-06-11T21:31:00.000-04:002016-06-11T22:05:48.725-04:00June...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Ever since I was a little girl, I knew two things for sure, that I wanted to be a mom and a teacher. My brothers were my first students in the basement of our home. I created lessons and took great joy in correcting their work. My desires never changed, I went to college for teaching and became a special education teacher and have been for over twenty two years. Several years after becoming a teacher, I became a momma. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Although the role I have valued most has certainly been as a mom, it cannot be denied that I also have a passion for teaching, especially in the area of special education. I find great joy in figuring out how students best learn and helping them to discover just how capable they are as learners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">I took time off from teaching when my children were born and when I was diagnosed with the Big C both times. Since last June, I have taken a leave of absence from a job that I loved. Although I've ignored the fact that I would ultimately have to leave my job, it is now a year later, and it's time for me to face the music. Metastatic Breast Cancer allows no plans, as things seem to change constantly. Because of the uncertainty of MBC and how it has taken over my life, there is really no other option for me right now. It makes me angry that the Big C has caused this, but more than that, it makes me sad to know I have to leave one of the things I love most. It is hard for me to close this chapter of my life and even though I really have no idea what will happen in the future, I know that for now, I have to stop teaching. I'm truly hoping that someday this chapter will have to be edited and reopened, but for now, this is my reality. It's not easy for me to leave something that seemed to be one of my purposes in life, but apparently there is something more out there for me. Right now, I'm still in the process of figuring out just what that is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">In the meantime, I will be a momma to my two children and I will focus on other things I enjoy, such as crafting and photography. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">This has been a hard transition to go from teacher to full-time Big C patient, but we all know now that I can do hard things.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHYr-NjZe6tVhj4TKIeUISZdc0wPFlMGVBQBXzEEAOgAHMByvr8bJrb026YYatnPDI20vIWtKU8ZUqL57z6PkHxXMgpQgi6nyDSoQ2-CpzUpUtdgTZ-l-3GmLueN6A7liRU2EhpfQpPA/s1600/IMG_1833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHYr-NjZe6tVhj4TKIeUISZdc0wPFlMGVBQBXzEEAOgAHMByvr8bJrb026YYatnPDI20vIWtKU8ZUqL57z6PkHxXMgpQgi6nyDSoQ2-CpzUpUtdgTZ-l-3GmLueN6A7liRU2EhpfQpPA/s640/IMG_1833.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdncmIulGCd-WmmS6dLI4NCwe7HfD4VSg7dwvKwzxHhEQoFvFzrwHduS6Pmvn8wFH8lCBcTrGzDjv9fA8-hojCpqUvhQPT6nN-XqicoFxInTV5rJPcwdI6YFY_K5rGSJraUE-C1_UuBJ8/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdncmIulGCd-WmmS6dLI4NCwe7HfD4VSg7dwvKwzxHhEQoFvFzrwHduS6Pmvn8wFH8lCBcTrGzDjv9fA8-hojCpqUvhQPT6nN-XqicoFxInTV5rJPcwdI6YFY_K5rGSJraUE-C1_UuBJ8/s640/IMG_1845.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0YWzkXDqyVnX9J6A0d82O7xa84dmWU5fzWW-5rYxvt5K-O6hPY9WG2vYo1FNi3vHg2x69G12VWS7G6K5Fp_DdC7WxAD9zHTaWbkTcQLjRL6gJmXVae8jYw2tRsej9hC9qOa6BTcc8M4/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0YWzkXDqyVnX9J6A0d82O7xa84dmWU5fzWW-5rYxvt5K-O6hPY9WG2vYo1FNi3vHg2x69G12VWS7G6K5Fp_DdC7WxAD9zHTaWbkTcQLjRL6gJmXVae8jYw2tRsej9hC9qOa6BTcc8M4/s640/IMG_1706.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9gMR35bq3TMZy5ZVWCHR0TEyyaF8fjbNJWWLsE7dpsfTDn-JujEBNruQxkSTxx4alHIdz4DMKIMJr9o25JKR27HBvOEg0pG6xzA0WDH6XnP1VZLK5U3bWqxyQ3iiCnmnfMLhyphenhyphen04iHiU/s1600/IMG_1628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9gMR35bq3TMZy5ZVWCHR0TEyyaF8fjbNJWWLsE7dpsfTDn-JujEBNruQxkSTxx4alHIdz4DMKIMJr9o25JKR27HBvOEg0pG6xzA0WDH6XnP1VZLK5U3bWqxyQ3iiCnmnfMLhyphenhyphen04iHiU/s640/IMG_1628.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">"The less routine the more life."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Amos Bronson Alcott</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0