A cheap thank you;)

Kathie spent this past weekend as the last real time she will live in Lafayette. Bob and Kathie flew out to MD Anderson on Sunday, and though Bob will return "home," Kathie will be setting up shop at Eddie and Melissa's in NC until the house on High Rock is finished.

Due to the chaos at the house (someone came at 3PM on Saturday to take pictures for a brochure to sell the house and Kathie was trying to figure out what she was going to need until Bob came out to NC again), we did not get to do a formal goodbye with all of those who Kathie has called friends. And though we discussed ways of thanking all of those who have made meals, cleaned floors, dusted, helped with garage sales, escorted Kathie to chemo, opened jars for her when her hands hurt, etc - there's little more that we can do at this moment than say THANK YOU!

If we were a more organized clan, or Martha Stewart was part of our family, you would have all received handmade thank you cards, undoubtedly made of homemade paper, dyed by plants from our backyard - but... we're not that family. In fact, if anyone gets a Christmas card before Valentine's Day, I would say we are having a good year. So for now... please accept this cheap (inexpensive, not crappy) THANK YOU! You have been such a huge help - to ALL of us. It makes all of the kids feel better that their mom has had such wonderful support since they cannot be there all the time.

If anyone needs ideas for Christmas presents... buy yourself a plane ticket to go visit Kathie during next year (when Bob and Kathie aren't mooching off their oldest... er, only son;) ) We told Kathie a long time ago that her support system travels. I realize this isn't the practical solution for all of you - in which case, phone calls are good (in short doses - she gets tired much more easily these days) :)

Since Kathie never reads this (is she scared of what we write?), I can safely put in here that the next time Kathie is back in Lafayette for a good chunk of time, or maybe when the house sells, I would like to get those of you around together with her for a little send-off - you all have really meant so much to her. If we were an NGO, our financials in the way of volunteer hours, donated food, etc would be kicking other groups' a**!

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On a more serious note. Kathie had many tests done yesterday. Today is the big day when they get back most of the results. Lauren will post those when she can, she's heading back to Lafayette tonight for Jeannie's wake and funeral. What we really need are prayers - lots and lots of prayers. Cancer only has so many treatments, so we really want this one to have been working.

God Bless!

Posted by Lauren