All for a GREAT cause!

We all know that life throws us a curve ball now and then, no matter who we are, where we are, or what we are doing. Recently, my mom called to share with me that she had breast cancer and I'll admit, it was like someone took a bat and hit me in the stomach. The first couple of weeks were very hard for all of us because every time we heard news back from the doctor it was never the news we wanted to hear. But, now there is a plan and we are moving forward and I think we have picked ourselves up, dusted the dirt off, and are ready to fight.

I think it's easy to say that my mom has always been there for me no matter what, in fact;

I remember.......

.....back in 4th grade when you stood up for me when my teacher thought I stole a pen from the janitorial office while I was cleaning the erasers....I don't know what she was thinking.

.....when you brought in a cow lung for a science project and had the great idea to take a straw and blow into it so it would inflate and deflate......I got an A

.....when Shawn some how convinced you to take him an I out of school to attend a craft show in the Twin Cities....How did he ever talk you into that?

.....when I stayed after hockey practice and skated with another team and since I didn't show up on time you called all the regional hospitals to see if they had any John Doe's........Let's remember everyone, this was before cell phones, otherwise I would have called.

.....when I was running around town and you came and found me at Krans Super Stop at 2 am and just calmly said, "You need to go home."

.....you were there at the beginning of my Bemidji State career. You and I went and registered for all my classes and for some dumb reason we thought it would be a good idea to stay in the dorms instead of getting a hotel room and it was so hot. (I'm not kidding when I say it had to be 100 degrees in that room) I had to have mom sleep on the counter next to the window so you she wouldn't fry.

.....you were also there on my last day when I gave my senior thesis presentation.

.....in my college years when I would call you in the wee hours of the morning in a drunken stuper just to talk to you...I'm not sure why but you never got mad and you always ended the conversation with, "Thanks for calling."

.....when we said good-bye as I was leaving to head out to Spokane.....Can you imagine that was 8 years ago.

.....when you surprised me and flew out to see Kristi and I and while Kristi was at work, you and I went to Starbucks and talked for the longest time.

.....when you almost got in a fight at Fred Meyers because a lady wouldn't let you cut in line even after you explained that we were late for my grooms dinner, in fact this is the only time I ever heard my mom ever call someone a name....I know you say you called her a "Witch" mom, but I have to say I'm pretty sure it started with a "B".

.....the time I was checking out your and Gene's new bed by jumping on it and you got so mad you clotheslined me and wrestled me to the ground and I couldn't move.

In fact, it's because of your wrestling moves that I know that you are a very strong woman and you are going to make it through this with flying colors. Your positive attitude about things is amazing. And just like you have been there for me, I want you to know we are now here for you...any time, any place, any where.

I love you and I salute you, bald head and all.


I just want to reiterate:

......WHO NEEDS HAIR? LOVE YA AND REMEMBER YOU LOOK GREAT!!!