Sunday, December 14, 2014

Christmas in Heaven - Recap of 2014

2014 has changed my life as much as any year ever has! It's been a very busy, eventful year (as perhaps is evident by the fact that since last year's Holiday posting, I've only posted one other blog entry in 2014). Most of us are able to keep in touch throughout the year with social media. I'm much better at posting current happenings on FB than I am getting around to posting a blog entry. But for those of you not up to speed on all the happenings of 2014, here's a quick recap.


Spring 2014 - Nephew Carson Guy turned eight years old. I was so honored to be there for his baptism.

Carson Guy with Auntie - Baptism Day

Papa & Nana with Carson on Baptism Day

Marshall, Charlie & Cheryl


Later in Spring - Took an incredible two-week trip to Wales, England and Scotland. Highlight of my year ... every year!

 

June - Eldest nephew, Andrew, graduated from Billings West High School and there was nowhere else I'd be than there to support him.



Later in June - I'll never forget the phone call from Cheryl. Mom had found Dad unresponsive and they were taking him to the hospital. The second call, only minutes later, brought the news I never anticipated having to hear. My father had died. He passed away quickly and quite unexpectedly on June 14th, the night before Father's Day. 


Throughout the Year - Participating in and supporting breast cancer awareness events is a passion of mine. This year, as I celebrated the 5-year survival mark, I was fortunate to participate in several events with my warrior sisters and friends. (The Walk on for Gina Marie Dayton in February (San Diego) is always a special event for me. I don't know how or why I got to make it to five years, Gina, but I carry your spirit with me every moment of every day. Forever my DH.)


 
Fall - Visited the kids in Phoenix for Thanksgiving and the kids in Montana earlier that month. Random moments ... priceless!




I focused my Christmas card greeting this year on the idea of Christmas in Heaven (in honor of Dad). I'm sure Dad's having an extraordinary and glorious time where he is, for now, we have to remember that heaven is here on Earth. To me, heaven is time and memories with our family and friends. Heaven is the simple, everyday moments that warm our hearts and make us feel like we're helping others. Heaven is surrounding yourself with positivity, joy, happiness and inspiring the same in others. Heaven is knowing you are loved beyond measure unconditionally and offering that same love to all you meet. 

My family is my heaven ... Merry Christmas!


Mom, Cheryl, Caren, Cherí - Gathered to Remember Gary

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Farewell to My Father

My sister, Caren, posted on her blog her farewell words to our father. Thought I'd do the same, just as a record. These words were spoken at his funeral service on Saturday, June 21st, 2014. Much too soon ...


Funeral Services for Gary Greaves – June 21, 2014



Close your eyes

Go to sleep

Soon the birdies will start to sing

And in the morning, you’ll wake up nice

Find your daddy at your side



My father wrote that song and would sing it to us throughout our early childhoods – when he’d tuck us in at night, when we were sick, when we were cuddled on his lap in the evening winding down before bedtime. As adults, Caren, Cheryl and I sang that song to each of the grandchildren (or any children we were with) as we rocked them to sleep, tucked them in or cuddled them. Truth be told, I still sing it to myself if I’m having trouble falling asleep. It may be silly, but the words take me back to a safe place, a place of comfort, and security. Mostly, though, it reminds me of the enormous unconditional love my father had for us.



My sisters and mother joke often that I’m the leader of the pack and “Hey, once Cheri is here, we don’t need to think about or plan anything. She’ll take care of it.” I’ve always been independent and something of a leader. In my naïve teenage and young adult years, however, I thought that meant everything had to be done my way; only I knew best. My definition of something was the right way. I defined stubbornness.



My relationship with my father was complex. As a young child, I loved doing things with him … helping him in his upholstery shop or on his paper routes, watching old TV shows in the evenings, even the occasional fishing trip to Shelter Island could be fun. (Well, we girls sat in the van as he tossed his line from the rocks.) He was just happy to have his girls around him.  As the years went on, however, I began to focus more on how things should  or could be based on MY definitions, needs and wants.  As a teenager, I often wondered what life might have been like had I been born to a different father. Someone who would attend my sporting events, guide and counsel me in life matters, teach me about the world, maybe not embarrass me so often … a father by my definition.



And then something happened. I grew up.



Over the years, I developed my professional career and found myself leading two companies. I was still a leader, but my knowledge of what made a person a true leader and a good person, had by then expanded and I had outgrown the naïve thinking of my younger self.  This blessed me so much not only in professional endeavors, but more importantly, in my personal life.



I realized I had the father I was meant to have. I had just been too naïve and stubborn to recognize the life lessons he was teaching me all along …



• work hard but enjoy the well-deserved rest from your labors

• help others … do what you can, and be content knowing you helped your fellow brother

• enjoy the simple moments of life and be content with what you have

• don’t worry what others think of you … their judgments are more a reflection of them than you … forgive them and love them anyhow

• laugh often, tell a joke, talk to people, be a friend

• love and protect your family…family is everything

• love unconditionally



Right behind the love he had for his “Katy” – his wife of 45 years and my incredible mother  – Gary’s love for his children defined him. Caren, Cheryl and I were blessed to have our father’s presence in our home throughout our childhoods. His older children, because of life circumstances that may never truly be understood, missed out on having their father in their lives as they grew up. I can testify to you Kristie, Curt, Carie and Cindy Greaves, that your father thought of you each day, loved you more than you could ever imagine and was heart-broken to not be part of your lives. In Gary’s eyes, being the father of six daughters and one son, made him a very wealthy and blessed man.



Over the past twenty years, reconnecting all his children became my life’s mission. I took it upon myself to find my siblings and reunite us however I could.. Family is everything that matters, and Gary’s children were scattered from his life. His heart would never be complete if he didn’t know all his children were healthy and happy.  Maybe I took on this challenge out of pure selfishness – heck, I wanted to find and know my older siblings more than anyone – but I think more, it was my subconscious way of showing my father he was loved.



While the seven of us have yet to all unite in one room, today, we are all here either physically or in spirit. Each of Gary’s seven children is mentioned in his obituary and program. I know Gary and my Grandma Dora are so happy today … Grandma’s “sad page” in her family history book is sad no more. She is watching us all today … she sees her family united … and her beloved baby boy is back in her arms.



Last Friday on my drive home from work, I called my parents’ home as I did every day. Gary answered, as usual. Our normal interaction would have been, “Hi Gary, where’s mom?” and we’d make small talk until mom picked up the other line. He’d ask, “How’s my baby girl? Is it hot there? Is your new work near the capitol?” Most days, mom got on the line before I had time to say much in reply. But that day, last Friday, I actually talked with my father. I answered his questions and didn’t rush to get him off the phone. He asked me, “Do you like your new job? Is my baby happy?” I told him I loved my new job and yes, I was very happy. And as I waited for mom to get on the line, I had the most random feeling … “what if that was the last conversation I ever had with Gary?” It lasted but a mere split second, but I felt peace knowing that I talked with him, and he heard first hand that his child, his little girl was, indeed, happy and doing well.



To Gary, that’s all that ever mattered.



He loved being son, a brother, a husband, a father and he opened his heart to anyone who wanted to be part of his extended family. And that extended family is every one of you here today. Gary would be so honored to see so the outpouring of love and celebration of his life, but also so humbled and grateful for the support being shown to his family. Caren, Cheryl and I can’t thank you each enough for the way you have rallied around our mother and wrapped her in your protective arms. We know she will be kept safe in the embrace of her family, ward family and friends here in Springville.



As the days go on and we each scatter back to our forever-altered lives without Gary, may we be reminded of the lessons he taught us.



Forgive others. Don’t hold a grudge. Be a friend. Love your family.



Close your eyes

Go to sleep

Soon the birdies will start to sing

And in the morning, you’ll wake up nice

Find your family at your side



Sweet dreams, Dad, sweet dreams.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

"The Business of Life ... "

My annual Happy Holidays card and letter will hit the mail tomorrow. I mention in it to visit this blog for a recap of some of my special memories of 2013. If you are just browsing through and came across this blog, well, happy holidays to you, new friend! If you are looking for the next entry in the breast cancer journey, hang tight ... I'll get back 'round to finishing it off. (Hint: so far it has a happy ending.)

Mr. Carson said, "The business of life is the acquisition of memories." So very well said, sir. (Okay, so Mr. Carson is a fictional man who only lives in the imaginative world of the talented Julian Fellowes and Downton Abbey, but that's no reason I can't admire his words of great truth.) 

I have endured some challenging moments in 2013, but I choose not to dwell on those moments or experiences. Rather, I elect to focus and cherish the positive, inspirational and loving memories deposited into my memory bank. Here are but a few ...

February 1, 2013 found me in San Diego for the Gina Marie Dayton Guardian Angel Foundation Fun Run in honor and celebration of my dear, late friend Gina. It was bittersweet ... many of Gina's family and friends were there and we cherished the experience of honoring her. I'm so proud of her legacy ... and proud to now serve on the Board of Directors of the Gina Marie Dayton Guardian Angel Foundation.

Had the incredible experience of taking my niece, Avery, to Scotland! Mom, Avery and I spent 10 days visiting with our family, touring the sights and savoring every moment we were surrounded by the Scottish culture. To see Avery meet family members she never knew existed and to watch her slide down the same slide I did at Duthie Park with Grandpa Andrew some twenty-five years ago touched my heart. Sweet memories of the generations coming together through one-another.

Truthfully, I have six siblings and I'm the second to the youngest. Yes, I grew up only with my two sisters (Caren and Cheryl) but we always longed to know and meet our four other half-siblings. In June, one of my lifelong dreams came true - I met and was able to hug my eldest sister, Cindy. My brother (Curt) and sister (Kristie) were there, too. Someday I know my special angel in heaven, (Grandma Greaves) is working hard to reunite all seven of us siblings ... for that was her dream.

Annual tradition - Apple Hill with my high-school friend, Ann-Christel & her kids. Couldn't ask for a more loyal and cherished friend of over 20 years. Love being able to share this tradition with them!

Todd and Caren gave the kids a choice a few years back: Disneyland or Hawaii. They all chose Hawaii. And Aunt Cherí got to go with them! We spent nine days on the island of Oahu, staying on the North East shore at a rented house. We went snorkeling (my first time ever!), played in the waves, toured Pearl Harbor and just cherished the incredible memories being made. I couldn't have asked for a better gift than the quality time in paradise with my sister and her family. 



Second year tradition - Oakland A's Breast Cancer Awareness Day - Honoring Survivors - Cherished experience with friends and warrior-sisters Jill, Tammie, and Tina. Truly humbling to be on the field forming a ribbon of pink with all these incredible survivors!

Random memories ... Bronwyn's baptism day, summer cabin fun (thanks Marion & Jim Bench!), events with warrior-sisters and just good old quality time spent with the kids.

There's more to the definition of family than simple biology. I wanted to make sure to include the Freeland Family, for many of my greatest memories of the year have been with them. Julia has been "my person", my best friend for almost ten years and her family (husband Jeff and children, Joey, Logan and Emmie) have become an essential part of my everyday life in Sacramento. Thanks for all you do for me, Freelands, and for sharing so many memories with me throughout the years. Here's to an exciting 2014 and the addition of Miles!

As long as I have the love and support of these women, I'm the richest woman alive. Thank you for all you do for me every day, even from miles away. You are my universe and I love you.


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Welcome to Sacramento, Carson!

Carson steers us along the Sacramento River.

"Cousins" - Annie & Carson

Having a wee bit o'fun at the Sacramento Railroad Museum.

Annie finally got to meet her grandma!

On the boat with my sister (Cheryl), mom, and my girl Annie.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Summer Fun

Fall is here ... almost. It's still 90 plus degrees out during the day, but the evenings are now cooled with the hint of a Delta breeze. The leaves are changing colors already, there are pre-season NFL games on television and my favorite Starbucks baristas have promised me that pumpkin spice will be making its return within a few short weeks. I am giddy!

Giddiness is brought out in me in only a few ways ... fall, hanging with a select group of my wacky friends, and being with my family. I was blessed to share five days recently in Utah with my family. Pure joy for me ... my happy place with all 8 kids, my sisters, and my mom all together. 

With niece Avery at my Aunt Marion's & Uncle Jim's cabin in Fairview, Utah

My happy place ... between my sisters!

Six of the eight kids (Andrew & Mitchell were at EFY) with me.

I made sure to steal a moment with all eight of the kids the night before we all left.

The handsome man behind us (left) is our grandfather, Cy Greaves!

Second cousins, Avery and Norah, having fun.


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

23. Just To Be Safe...

Thursday at 10am I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Singhal. I was carefully packaged (escorted into my seat) and wrapped (towels as padding from the seat-belt) in the car and driven to her office. It was time to evaluate how well I was healing. (Healing physically that is; the emotional and mental healing, well, a story for a different time.)

My entourage accompanied me.  I felt a mix of semi-celebrity meets wimpy-patient as my crew of Anne, Cheryl and Craig helped me into Dr. Singhal's new, state of the art, very clean and sterile, exam room. I was put on the exam table while Craig took out a newspaper and had a seat. Anne and Cheryl stood over me, protecting me from any potential harm that might fall upon my chest. Dr. Singhal entered the room, cheery and bubbly as ever. 

"Ouch, dang! I hate that damn light!" she exclaimed as she ducked and recovered from having hit her head on the overhanging exam light. "We could have had the track lighting, but that would have cost like $20,000 dollars and that's just wrong to spend that much money on a light." My doctor was so awesome. Cheryl laughed and admired the logic of Dr. Singhal.

The pink tube top was removed and I could breathe. At that moment I realized my life since Monday after surgery had been nothing short of miracle. I hadn't really taken a breath in four days; how was I still alive?!  I wanted to suck in as much air as I could as I was finally, though temporarily, free from the constraint of that damn tube top. But it hurt too much to take deep breaths, so I continued with the shallow breathing technique I had mastered over recent days.

"Looks good. No infection. How are you doing on the pain medication?" Dr. Singhal asked. Someone briefed her on the events of the past few days. "Yeah, stick with the Ibuprofen if you can. That other stuff is really hard on the stomach. So, any questions right now for me?"

"Did you get it all?" I asked of her. 

"Of course. That's my job," she replied. "But while we're on the subject..." Oh boy. This couldn't be good. My imagination took off. Maybe it had spread. Maybe they found I never had cancer and this was all a big oops. Maybe they forgot to put in the spacers for reconstruction. Brain, shut up. Focus on what the doctor has to say.

"The pathologist wants to confirm that there are, in fact, clear margins in one area. The upper quadrant of your right breast, under your armpit area. I'm pretty confident it's all clear. But, to be 100% certain and just to be safe, I have to go back in." (Go back in where? The office? The pathologist's lab?)

She continued, "Let's see, I'm going on vacation next week, so how about the sixteenth?"

I looked at my entourage. Heads were nodding. Whatever Dr. Singhal needed to do was what we were going to do. I realized to where it was she had to return. Surgery was scheduled for November 16th, 2009. So much for giving my incision(s) time to heal.






Tuesday, July 16, 2013

22. Home Away From Home

The only good thing about recovering from major surgery (besides the obvious of being cancer free) was being able to stay in the warm, welcoming embrace and home of the Graham family. Ken and Anne, the in-laws of my dear friend Ann-Christel, graciously offered me their guest quarters for my recovery stay. (Their house was only minutes from the hospital and would be much more convenient for me than driving the two hours back to Sacramento the day after major surgery.) Anne's a nurse, but even more comforting to me, she's a mom and grandma. She made sure I had everything I could possibly need, including written instructions on how to operate the remote control for the television. 

It was a luxury to be able to rest in a quiet and comfortable environment and not have to worry about the slightest thing. My sister, Cheryl, and Anne spent a great deal of time together, as I slept the majority of each day. They made meals, watched television, talked, and just hung out together. They bonded.

Together, they kept me in the lap of luxury. Well, as much luxury as one can expect to have when you're wearing a tube top & pajama bottoms, have drains hanging out of the sides of your chest and plastic containers (collecting the excess fluid) safety-pinned to your tube top and you spend your entire day in bed. Even so, I didn't want for a thing. They made sure I had my water bottle filled with ice water at all times (gotta wash those drugs outta your system). If I needed my pillow adjusted, they did it for me. Cheryl and Anne made sure I took my medications on schedule, several times each day. Anne watched over and helped Cheryl as she learned how to clean the drains and measure the excess fluid accumulation. They asked me repeatedly if I wanted anything to eat, but the thought of exerting any energy to even chew food sounded like too much effort for my weakened body. Ann-Christel came by to visit at one point and I think I fell asleep while she was talking to me. She graciously and kindly let me sleep. I was disappointed in myself because I desperately wanted to visit, talk, catch up on the years of our lives we had missed. Instead, I fell asleep.

Surgery had been on Monday and Tuesday afternoon I was sent home (Grahams') to recover. I wasn't feeling too terrible Tuesday evening, all that being relative of course. Anne warned me that the next day would be the worst. Not to anyone's surprise, she was right.

I had been prescribed Vicodin to help relieve my pain during recovery but was also given 800mg prescription Ibuprofen to take between the doses of Vicodin. Wednesday morning found me feeling somewhat better, though temporarily. Food sounded somewhat good. I joined the family at the dinner table and thought, hey, maybe I'm going to be okay and on the mend here. Woo hoo!

Two bites of mashed potatoes later, I gingerly yet as quickly as I could, excused myself to my guest quarters (fortunately just down the hallway). The two bites of food didn't stay with me long. Now, imagine the pain of heaving your recently-sliced-open-and-sewn-together chest as you throw up kneeling over a toilet. I would have cried, but that would have just hurt even more. Cheryl came in to check on me just as I was exiting the restroom to wash up. Anne followed moments later. Together, they helped me through the next wave of sickness - Cheryl holding my hair out of my face and Anne holding the bowl in front of me as I vomited again. Truly not one of my proudest moments. I apologized repeatedly for them having to be there through that experience and they both just comforted me with words of love and compassion. They understood there was absolutely nothing I could have done to change the course of events and that I was desperate for their help in getting through it. I begged Cheryl (as I did many, many times over the week) to make sure I was clean. She gave me sponge-baths as I sat in the chair in the bathroom. I was obsessed with being clean and did not want to smell badly. Aw, a sister's love and compassion are priceless.

Note to self: Vicodin sucks. Anne was the one who suggested that it could be the Vicodin taking its toll on my stomach. We elected to try switching just to the Ibuprofen from then on. Thankfully, that one episode of being sick was the only episode and the Ibuprofen worked well enough at keeping my pain at bay. I think I eventually managed a piece of toast and was full before finishing it.

Later that evening (perhaps the next day, I can't recall),  Anne's daughter, Kate, came by to visit her parents. While Kate's nursing experience was with babies and critical heart conditions, drains were no stranger for her. She came right into the guest room and helped clean the drains hanging from my chest. It's an odd first introduction, I admit, but hell, sometimes you can't help when and where you meet wonderful people. And Kate, well, she's definitely good people!

These people didn't know me before all of this. They simply accepted me as their daughter-in-law's friend, knew I needed help and that was all they needed to know about me. They opened their home and hearts to a stranger and gave her the most incredible gift ... extended family.

I asked Cheryl to recap for me what she recalls about those days at the Graham's home. This is her email reply to me:

"You slept and watched TV and Anne and I talked in the living room. I played with the little grandson, I think his name was Parker?  She told me about her dad's military service and that the medals on the wall were all his and that it represented a lot of sacrifice. We watched recorded episodes of Dancing with the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance. We talked and talked. I remember you were very sick from the meds and Craig and I went to the store to get you a lot of meds. He seemed worried. I held your hair while Anne held the bowl for you to throw up in.  I had to wake you to take meds and kept track of them on my hand because otherwise I would have lost my record keeping.  I was tired! Um, you ate dry toast one time. Anne told me that during difficult situations you can never change the wind, you can only adjust your sails. We would lay in bed together and watch TV during the day...if you fell asleep doing so, I would leave and go be with Anne.  I washed your face and top part of your body so you'd feel clean (always a big thing with us isn't it?!) Um, what else...their home was beautiful and felt so homey to me.  Even though we had never met them, I felt like we had known them all our lives and I remember loving that at such a difficult time.  I loved being with them. Ken was amazing and I loved him instantly. He has remained on my mind ever since as being one of the classiest, kind, generous, genuine men I've EVER met.  I adore him to this day.  I feel the same about Anne. I remember their family dinners each night. They all talked and seemed like such a wonderful family. They made me feel so included and like I was part of the family."

Like I said, we were with family. I had gained an additional set of parents ... Anne and I chose Momca (Mom+California) and Ken, well, he's Dadca. I'm forever in their debt and gratitude. I strive to pay forward their kindness, if even only in a fraction of the magnitude they showed me.