You know Feb. 16 would have been Kent’s 49th birthday. As I reflect upon that day, it is sad for me, and for my kids. It was also a hard day for Kent’s best friend, Brian. The day was uneventful and no one mentioned Kent’s birthday all day, and I thought it was weird. Why was everyone ignoring the fact that it was Kent’s birthday? So, in order to feel better about things, I talked to Kristina, who was acknowledging Kent’s birthday quietly and privately. Kristina was having a tough time but she is strong like her dad. Brian called around 8:30 p.m. and was just getting out of work, so he was mad at Kent for leaving him, and all the work. Even at a sad time, Brian makes me laugh. Brian and I are grieving together and we are keeping Kent’s memory alive by talking about it, telling stories about Kent, and remembering his funny sense of humor and his carefree attitude about life’s problems. He never worried too much about anything because it never did him any good anyway. He tried to impress those qualities on Brian and I, however, we still worry about things and his passing is still surreal to us. So, on Kent’s birthday, I spent my time thinking about him and what we would be doing if he were still here…what we should be doing. Last year his family was with us for a birthday dinner celebration, not realizing it would be his last. This year I’m sad, but his spirit lives on in my kids and everyone he has touched. On Friday, his memory will be with all of us at the boys basketball game as they honor him and pay tribute to their coach and their mentor who fought a tough fight, and taught them to work hard for what they want. I’ll be there with the boys on Friday night, and with my kids, as we remember Kent and those loved ones who have passed away from cancer. Stogie, you’ve left quite an impression on those kids and they are working hard. They are winning and I think they are doing it for you.
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Kent is in many of our thoughts Kim as he did touch MANY lives and left an awesome impression…and some “Kent style” memories too!
Brian mentions Kent often at work, Kim and many people still talk about him and remember him. They will for a very long time. He was that kind of guy……….a very memorable one.
I am dealing now with two of my children having dibilatating diseases. My 31 year old daughter, Wendy, was diagnosed with systemic Lupus almost 5 years ago and just got over a 12 month bout of pneumonia that has permanently damaged her lungs and just last week my 42 year old son, Todd, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. You just never know…………..so, you have to enjoy every minute that you can and build memories every day. I know you and your children did that with Kent. As long as the memories are there he is never truly gone…………………the best to you and your children always.
I stumbled upon your blog as I have a relative with MM. He is young, too, and has already had the auto SCT. The first one was not successful, the second was, but I have been led to understand that his BM scan still showed MM cells… not sure to what degree. He has a close relative match for the Allo SCT which will take place in a few weeks. Like you, his wife has had to learn to be many things in his life besides being a loving wife: nurse, chauffeur, nag, comedienne, cook, infection-fighting-cleaning-woman, etc. After reading many MM blogs, I am not deluded about the experimental aspects of any treatment since it appears that MM is a wily adversary. There is no way to know the outcome, and I have a close relationship with He Who Has No Name but the Lord of all and I know He will see us through the tough times ahead.
I just wanted to thank you for writing the blog, for being the light in Kent’s life you have brought light to others as well.