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| It has been one year since Katie passed away. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and then at other times it seems so very long ago. December 30, 2006, was the worst day of our lives, yet we are grateful that that day brought Katie peace and freedom from the cancer that had consumed her life for 13 months. One of the things that has been so difficult is to remember how much she suffered and what she had to endure as she fought so hard. We have a political cartoon on our refrigerator with two pictures - one of a terrorist cell, the other a cancer cell. The caption reads "Enemies of Mankind." How true! It is unbelievable and so sad to see how many are affected by cancer. Thanks to those of you who have been checking in. The love and support we have received from others have been overwhelming. Thank you! This will probably be our last entry on this site. We hope you remember our daughter as the curly-haired, smiling, beautiful, caring young adult that she was. God bless you. Jenn and Bob What Cancer Cannot Do Cancer is so Limited... It cannot cripple Love It cannot shatter Hope It cannot corrode Faith It cannot destroy Peace It cannot kill Friendship It cannot suppress Memories It cannot silence Courage It cannot invade the Soul It cannot steal Eternal Life It cannot conquer the Spirit. | | |
| We would like to wish all of you who check in on Katie's site a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. It has definitely been a year of ups and downs. So many things trigger memories of Katie, bringing smiles and sometimes tears. We think about her all of the time and wish with all of our hearts that she could still be here with us, enjoying her favorite time of the year. As we count our blessings, we think of her many friends and our family who were with her throughout her cancer battle and who have been there for us as we've noted all of the "firsts" without her. This time of year is especially tough as it brings back memories of last year when she was here at home under hospice care. We were very fortunate to be able to celebrate one more Christmas with her. There have been good times in 2007 as well. Brian and Emily got married in Detroit. They now make their home in Australia, where he is pursuing his doctorate and Emily has a new job. Steph and Cory became engaged and will be married next July. We are very happy about the new additions to our family. Bob and I took a 4600 mile motorcycle trip to the northwest coast of the U.S. which was awesome. He has now visited three out of the four corners of the country. As you go about all of the activity that comes with the holiday season, take the time to hug the ones you love and let them know how much they mean to you. Life is short, and we all need to learn to care more about each other while we're here on this earth. Merry Christmas, Katie. We love you. | | |
| Katie would have been 25 today. I remember last year at this time...Katie had just found out that the small lumps she had removed from her hip and her head were cancerous. All of the chemo and radiation they had put into her body had done no good. It was a huge blow, but, once again, she was determined to whip cancer. When I look back on her 13 month ordeal, I continue to be amazed at her attitude and the way she continued to fight. She never got a break yet kept a smile on her face. Yesterday we had a little birthday gathering at her gravesite. Some family members were in town so we all went to wish Katie a happy birthday. Stephanie gave us a beautiful memory book she made with contributions from family and friends. Thanks Steph, and thank you to all who were a part of the book and a part of Katie's life. There are many days when it seems hard to believe Katie isn't here with us and then other days when reality sets in, and we feel so empty. We appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers. Love, Jenn | | |
| Our lives have begun getting back to normal, or as normal as they can get now. We have had one nephew's (Steven) graduation from college in Chicago and another nephew's (Ian) graduation from high school in Denver. We also had Brian's and Emily's wedding the weekend of May 20th in Detroit. It was a wonderful occasion in which we celebrated with them during a ceremony at a conservatory followed by dinner and then a beautiful reception at a park by the lake the following day. Their first ceremony, which took place on Jan.2nd, didn't allow for much celebration because of Katie's death, so this was a much happier time. If only Katie could have been there, but I'm sure she was smiling down on everyone. The newlyweds have now moved to Australia for Brian's work on his PhD...we miss them a great deal. Bob and I have been busy with a project we are very excited about...a memory garden for Katie. We planted it on the west side of our deck in the backyard. It required removal of cement, bringing in compost and other necessary nutrients, building steps off that side of the deck, putting in a new pathway, and planting the plants. It is beautiful! We included a cement bench and bird bath that we had, as well as a special plaque, a small angel, and even a curling stone. Steph bought Bob a pagoda that is also in there. I think Katie would be pleased. Before Brian and Emily left for Australia, we had a family meeting to determine what to do with the money given as memorials to Katie. We looked at many possibilities and decided to distribute the money to several different causes that we feel Katie would have been happy with: Rein in Sarcoma (an organization that promotes research and help for people with sarcomas); the United States Curling Assoc.; Angels Among Us (they assist families who have children with cancer); St. James Catholic Church; Alegent Hospice; Prayer Shawls Ministry; Masonic Cancer Clinic; and some "random acts of kindness" from Katie. We feel these are great ways to keep her memory alive. Well, that's about it. Now that school is out, I have a lot of free time on my hands. I will be working out in the yard and doing paper work catch-up. It's best to keep busy. Katie is always on our minds and forever in our hearts. We miss her more than words can express. Once again, we would like to thank everyone for their support, and please continue to pray for all those affected by cancer. Jenn | | |
| It has been a little over three months since we have been able to talk to, smile at, and laugh with our beautiful daughter, Katie. We hold on to the memories - watching her laughing with friends, working at the Olive Garden, sliding down the ice at the curling club, slaving away over a paper due at school, giving us hugs and saying, "I love you." There were many, many happy times. We have been so incredibly blessed with family and friends who have supported us through everything. The unbelievable generosity of so many will allow us to do something special to honor Katie's memory. The curling community has been amazing! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! We will let all of you know how Katie's memory will live on, once all decisions have been made. In the meantime, please keep in your prayers all those fighting this horrible thing called cancer. Hopefully, one day, there will be a cure, and families will not be devastated when given the awful diagnosis. Bob and Jenn | | |
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