Sad News

I just found out a knitter friend of mine past away yesterday from colon cancer yesterday. She was diagnosed after having emergency surgery to remove her appendix and was pretty quiet about things at first. I remember sitting in the LYS on a knit-in night and hearing Nancy talk to another knitter, their conversation caught my attention when I heard Nancy mention cancer. I had noticed Nancy didn't seem well but no one seemed to know much.

A few months ago, my comadre told me that she had heard that treatment wasn't working and that Nancy was on pain management. Nancy made every effort to come to knit-ins (better efforts than I do and I'm healthy) and put on a smile while she was there. But you knew she was in pain and struggling.

The first time I met Nancy was probably in 2004 when CB took me to my first knit-in. I had been working on a first attempt at a blanket for my cousin's new daughter and made some horrible mistakes. Nancy sat down, analyzed it and told me that it was best to start over. She said not to worry that it happened to everyone and we pulled out the needles and started ripping back. I felt like I was a horrible, novice knitter, but had realized I was among friends.

The last time I saw Nancy was maybe a month ago. She came to a knit-in that I was at (with my comadre of course) and she looked tired and weak. We all sat around, knitted and it almost felt like Nancy was there to say good-bye. When we left I went over to Nancy, she told me to take care of myself, I told her the same and stroked her hair (which was quite thin) and squeezed her shoulder. CB and I walked out in tears and just gave each other a huge hug! CB saw her one other time, a day she brought Katharine to the shop, it was Nancy's first time meeting this beautiful little girl.

Nancy and her best friend Laurel would crack CB and I up. They were like an older version of the two of us. One blonde, one brunette. Both full of life. One married with a family, one single but with a family of friends that truly cared for her. Nancy's family didn't live in the area so her friends were her family. I can only imagine what Laurel is going through.

Nancy was supportive of everyone, knitting and otherwise. One night I was in a horrible spot and mood. Nancy asked me if I was okay and I said no. Her response was it was okay not to be okay and to go with the mood. She just got it sometimes. She would ask CB how I was doing after that and was happy to hear that I dusted myself off and am so happy and at peace now. What amazing woman...and I didn't even mention what a fantastic knitter she was!!!

I can only hope that Nancy now has the peace that she so deserves. I will miss her terribly and I know I'm not the only one. Be well dear friend...be well...

A truly wonderful woman

I found out last night that my mom's cousin's wife passed away yesterday morning from cancer. Sydna was a intelligent, kind and successful woman, a mother of two and stepmother of two. Her two children are young, I think her son, the younger of the two, is under 10.

She was 48 years old and had been fighting cancer for at least 3 years. I saw her 2 years ago at my cousin's bar mitzvah and she was not well then, but determined to fight as hard and as long as she could.

I remember my grandma telling me how wonderful and kind Sydna was. Howie, her husband, just absolutely adored her and you could tell by the way he looked at her. Sydna was an OBGYN and considered one of the best in the area. Ironically, if I recall correctly, she had ovarian cancer.

Her funeral is tomorrow and I'm not sure I can go as it is in MA. There are services Saturday through Wednesday night which I will try to go to on Monday as I head back from NH. Just a huge loss for her family and friends and a loss of a fantastic human being. Be well Sydna...

He would have been 90...

Today would have been my Poppi's 90th birthday. I had planned on going down this weekend to see him but he passed away Tuesday the 14th. I flew down on Wednesday and his funeral was on Thursday. Its sad to know that he is gone, but he did live a wonderful and full life. I can only hope that he is with Nana again and they are living it up together in heaven.

Happy 90th Poppi and rest well!

2 years ago...

...I lost an important person in my life, Steve's Dad, Forrest. Forrest was 63 years old and died from terminal lung cancer. He had smoked since he was a teenager to help him overcome a stutter. He fought hard to keep going and Steve fought hard to keep him living in his small home. I miss Forrest a lot, he may not have been perfect as a father or perfect as a husband, but he loved his family and wanted nothing more than his boys to be happy and to learn from his mistakes.

Forrest taught me about their family and their traditions. I will never forget the fantastic Christmas Eve dinners and how I was able to help him see a last one with his entire family (brother, sister, sons, daughter-in-law, 3 beautiful grandchildren and his best friend). I was blessed to be able to have helped the family say good-bye and support them through their grief.

I wouldn't have changed a thing. Well, maybe, one thing...having him still around.

Perspective...

Today I got an email from our VP of HR that one of the members of our Business Development department passed away last night. He had been sick for under a month with what was originally thought to be an ear infection. From what I have heard there was a pooling of blood or fluid at the base of his brain that was inoperable and if they did try to fix it he would have most likely ended up a quadriplegic, deaf and blind. He was admitted to hospice last week and has succumbed to his condition.

He had only been with our company for a couple of months and I didn't work with him very closely, but he was very friendly. He and I spoke about corporate softball teams, he used to run a league in his old position, and I even mentioned to him that he should contact Steve to see if he needed a pitcher for next season.

I'm truly saddened by his passing. It makes everything I've been going through seem trivial. But at the same time, it shows me life is short and you should treasure what you have had and enjoy what you got and be hopeful of what your future may bring.

Today, take a moment and look at where you've been, where you are and where you want to be. Be thankful for it all and do what you can to keep you focused on the good in life and people. We never know when it may all be taken away from us for one reason or another.