Saying Goodbye

Memorial day this year took on a whole new meaning for me.  Its never a good thing when the phone rings at 7am. Its either work calling or family telling me something is wrong or someone is in the hospital. This time it was my mom, when I said hello I could tell she had been crying. For some reason, even before she said it I knew... My grandfather had passed away. 

While this was not a surprise, it still is hard news to hear. The last year has been rather difficult for him with the health issues and surgeries and dialysis and everything else. But I still just couldn't believe it. My grandfather is my hero, my superman. He has endured so much, worked so hard, and through it all had a great sense of humor. The last time he was in Froedtert, he told my grandmother he didn't want to go back. And she understood, so she took care of him.  She worked with the home nurse to make sure he was taken care of, and took him to dialysis every week.   The love he shared with my grandmother is so wonderful, there are no words to truly explain their relationship. Even after 56 years of marriage, they were still so very much in love.  You could see that every time they would look at each other. And they passed that love onto everyone who knew him.

Yesterday, the outpouring of support from friends and family was so wonderful as we all gathered to say goodbye. And its that support that helps those of us he left behind, Because even as much as you prepare yourself, you are never truly ready to say goodbye.

Pictures from Jen

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Its just the beginning

2009 has already proven to be an interesting year... Here we are 18 days in and have already gone through a roller coaster of events and emotions.

 After recovering from a busy holiday and ringing in the new year with a relaxing night with family and friends, I was certain it was going to be a slow start to the year. After all, doesn't how you spend new year's eve pretty much set the precedence for how the year is gonna go?? Boy was I wrong...

 We started off by losing a great friend and co-worker, Chris Grant. While there are more questions than answers as to what took him away from us- it still doesn't seem real... One thing is for sure, that he will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially me.

Today we received some great news, which is exactly what we needed. Ricky, also a friend and co-worker, has been dealing with CF for his entire life. He celebrated his 30th birthday last year in May with a benefit to help him pay for a double lung transplant. After months and months of waiting, he received the call today that it was his turn! I can't even imagine what he is going through right now. I know that he has so many plans for life after the transplant, but never once did he put his life on hold like so many other people in his shoes do. He works, he plays, and all while not feeling sorry for himself. He is a "superman" in every sense of the word. Tonight we are all praying for Ricky and his new beginning.