Untethered

Ironically, my last post was about Anna’s taking many pictures of me due to her fear that I would die and that she wouldn’t be able to cope with it.  As I wrote that post, I could not have even imagined that, just over a month later, I would be the one losing a parent.

Two weeks after that post appeared, I got the terrible news that my father, seemingly out of the blue, had been diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, Stage IV, which had metastasized to his liver and lungs.  I felt a palpable shift in my universe. I just couldn’t believe it.  He was only 65.  He was fit and healthy and wasn't a smoker and enjoyed exercising and had lots of energy. How could this be??

Things got worse over the next few days as we learned how extensive the illness was and as I researched the nightmare that is pancreatic cancer.  Of course, all cancer is terrible, but at least there are treatment options with many types of cancer.  Sometimes, treatment works and puts people into remission.  Sometimes it just buys time.  But either way, there is often something that people can hold onto that provides even just a little hope.

With pancreatic cancer…not so much.  It’s usually a silent killer – typically, by the time you know you have it, you’ve run out of time for any effective treatment. 

Sadly, that was the case with my dad.

Dad and me, June 8, 2014

He died on June 24, 2014.  Less than a month after his diagnosis.

My world came to a grinding halt.

Photo of the Week: My Boo

Good morning, everyone!

So this Monday isn't just another Monday to me...today marks the 2nd anniversary of my best friend Ken's passing.  We called each other "Boo," and I still don't know how that got started, hence the title of this post.

Those of you who know me know that I'm the sentimental sort, so anniversaries like today's are important to me. I know many of you out there knew and loved him as well, so our Photo of the Week is a great pic of Ken in his prime, as I want to remember him, way before cancer or chemotherapy were a part of his reality. He was a vibrant, exuberant, gregarious, wonderful person who enriched the lives of all who knew him and were fortunate enough to call him a friend.

If you knew and loved Ken too, you may want to check out my recent "tribute" post about him, "Thank You For Being a Friend."

Miss you, Boo. You are still so loved.

Thank You For Being a Friend

Today's post is a tribute to the best friend I have ever had, my unofficial brother, Ken.  Those of you who know me know how devastated I was almost two years ago when he passed away far too young after a difficult battle with cancer. On this date he would have turned 41.

Ours was a long and beautiful friendship filled with laughter and love and yes, occasional drama. Thankfully, though, that drama was never with each other! For ten years, we supported each other through relationship problems, breakups, family drama, financial difficulties, relocation... the disappointments and challenges of life. But we also celebrated life's triumphs and joys: the beginnings of new relationships, professional successes, career changes, and happy events like falling in love with a beautiful little baby girl.

Taking on NYC, Aug. 2004

And The Beat Goes On

Stress.  We all deal with it in one way, shape or form. Sometimes it's little annoyances, like slow drivers when we're already late for work, and sometimes it's big ones, like wondering how you'll pay a bill that month.

But if there's one thing being a parent teaches you, it's that no matter how much stress or sadness you're dealing with, life goes on. It must, no matter what.

And sometimes, that really sucks.