My Passion For Relay

Last night our Relay For Life team and countless others met up for a kick off meeting to talk about this year's event. The room was filled with beautiful faces, each with a reason to fight, each with a story to tell. I scanned the room until my eyes fell on my very own family. It felt surreal to be among those that have cancer stories. But I wouldn't have rather been anywhere else.

Relay is an event that I just got involved with last year at the urging of my sister in law, Jamina. She thought it would be therapeutic and all around just good for me. We created our team just a couple short weeks after I lost my mom to cancer. I was still very much in the grieving process and didn't know if I should commit to anything. Looking back, I know God had a hand in my decision to create a team, because I have been thrown into a beautiful circle of folks, that just like me, want to see this enemy we call "cancer" meet it's demise. We want no other families to feel what we've felt. We want to celebrate the survivors, we want to remember the fallen fighters, and we want to fight this disease to it's death.

The night of Relay last year was very enlightening. See, for those of you that don't know, Relay is an event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Passionate, enthusiastic people form teams, then throughout the year they have team fundraisers to raise money. There are periodic meetings to discuss progress and touch base with other team captains. Then comes the actual Relay for Life. We honor our survivors with tshirts and refreshments. Then, they walk a lap around the track. With teary eyes, we clap for those strong willed, soft hearted fighters. We cheer. We raise our hands and thank the Lord for them. It's a truly moving experience. Then, the caregivers make a lap. This is especially dear to my heart. Last year, my family and I walked hand in hand. We thought of our mom and fought our tears. It was such an honor to be her caregiver, so we walked that lap with pride. Then, with team members constantly walking the track, the teams head to their tents to sell food or goods to raise money for a cure. We stay there ALL NIGHT LONG. I know that thought can be kind of intimidating--but let me tell you, you DON'T get sleepy. You stay busy the whole time. It is so fun and action packed. Around midnight, the park goes quiet, and over the speaker fighters are honored and remembered as beautiful lanterns are released into the air. It's a tender, indescribable moment to look around at all the strangers, yet feel completely connected to them as they wipe tears and watch those lanterns float to Heaven like gifts for our lost loved ones. And when 6am rolls around, you leave with your heart 10 times as big as when you arrived. After falling in love with the event last year, I asked to join the committee so that I could participate in some of the behind the scenes stuff. So far I have met a lot of new people, and learned a little bit about the level of effort and dedication that goes in to planning this amazing event.

Though most of you know the story of my mom, I'd still like to talk about why I relay.....

Cancer came into my life, kind of like a meteor crashing down on earth. There are no words to describe the feeling in my heart when I listened to a doctor tell my mom that she had terminal cancer. In that moment I was scared to death. I was angry. And I was so, so sad. Through the process of the cancer, the chemo and the radiation taking it's toll on my mom's body, I was mortified. I watched her lose a frightening amount of weight. She lost her hair. She lost her eyebrows and beautiful eyelashes. She vomited countless times. She endured the stick of a needle too many times to count. She lost any amount of energy she had in her frail little frame. I wiped her tears as she cried because she wanted so badly to get up and be "gammy" to her beloved grandchildren and be her normal healthy self for us, her kids, but her body wouldn't let her. She was unable to eat--even when she was hungry because of the damage the radiation did to her throat. She had horrible stomach cramps. Her body ached to a point that no medicine could help. She was so sleepy and often dozed off during conversations or family gatherings. But there were also countless sleepless nights where her pain, or coughing kept her awake and miserable. Her skin was burned horribly. She watched as the cancer grew and knots began to pop up and disfigure her body. In the end, one of her eyes began to bugle a bit, and they told us it was from the cancer growing in her head. I remember standing in the yard at mom's house, with a Hospice nurse on the phone telling me that there was nothing we could do--but keep her comfortable. It is such a helpless feeling to watch someone you love beyond words slowly dying because there is an enemy conquering her body. We could do nothing but watch. She fought so hard. Like a champion she fought. And she never lost her smile or willingness to hug a neck or kiss a cheek or hold a hand. Though the cancer took so much from her, it did not take her life whenever it wanted.... Against all odds she fought until I had my baby, Mili--just like she promised. She held my hand with such strength that day. She wiped my tears of joy and held her newest grand baby. The Hospice nurses commented on her drive and will to live. They too were surprised by her strength. Then, when mom knew all was well, she waited patiently for God to call her home. My brothers and I held her as she made the transition from this world to her new home in heaven. It was the darkest day of my life. But you must understand something about my Mama. Cancer didn't take her. I once gave cancer that credit. But it wasn't strong enough to take my Mama. Her spirit was never broken by that evil disease. And though her body was too tired to go on, her spirit left here stronger than ever. In Heaven, I know she is patiently waiting for me to join her. She is proud of me, and my efforts to finish her fight against this horrible disease, cancer.

See, after I consider what she went through......And what other fighters go through--how can one night of work be too much for me?


I invite each of you to donate or create your own team, or to join our team: Team Shipley's. We would love to have you! You'll have a blast and be helping others in the process. I just warn you, it's such a rewarding experience--you ARE GOING to get hooked!

The Greatest Birthday Gift

MILI'S BIRTHDAY FOOD DRIVE IS THIS WEEK!

 SHE'S GOING TO BE ONE YEAR OLD!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!?!

On your way to or from work this week (1/28-2/1), stop by Shipley's Donuts in Laurel and drop off some canned fruits or vegetables. No donation is too small, and your efforts are greatly appreciated! Everything that is collected will go to our local Christian Food Mission.

 

My little baby LOVES food....Food is her FAVORITE thing! She can say "eat! eat!" and she smiles so big and even dances as I put her meal in front of her. I love that she knows her next meal is definitely coming and she will have enough food to feel satisfied.

 

 

 

This got me thinking about less fortunate children in our area that may not feel the joy of a full tummy, like my Mili does everyday. This thought is absolutely heart wrenching.

 

Food is deliciously messy and the best tasting finger paint out there....But it is the most basic of needs, and sadly there are children right here in our area, who are not getting regular meals.

 

 So in lieu of a huge, expensive party (that a one year old Mili won't care anything about), we are having a canned food drive for our local Christian Food Mission.

 Every child deserves to know that they will be fed and cared for each day. Let's do our part to help the Christian Food Mission accomplish this. Swing by Shipley's and drop off some canned goods today!
Children are innocent and beautiful little gifts from God, we should treat them as such.

THANK YOU!

Everyday Hero

She had been battling a cold and a lingering fever for a while. She was still working, but that was it. For a few weeks, I had to FORCE her to hang out with me and I was starting to take it personal. She coughed and coughed and was so tired. I worried about her, but I was SO aggravated with her. "Why don't she take better care of herself?" was the angry question that kept running though my mind. She had been to the dr and taken a slew of antibiotics...But to no avail. She was even sicker.My brothers and I BEGGED her to go the the dr. Money was an issue for her, so we offered to pay her way. She declined repeatedly. One day after she got off work I was just about to head to her house. I was standing in Shipley's when my cell phone rang. It was my mom's sister (one of "the aunt's"). She said "Your mama told me she thinks she needs to go to the dr...For her to say that, there must be something wrong." I agreed, but I was infuriated that she went to them, instead of us. After all, we had spent the last few weeks caring for her and pleading with her to go see someone. I jumped in my car and in a fit of rage I pulled up at Amber's house and asked her to keep the my girls. Then, with a chip on my shoulder I headed to Mom's house. I whirled in her yard as angry as could be. I was tired of the nonsense. I was ready to get my mom back. I stomped in and there she was on the couch. She was laying on her side facing the back of the couch. She still had her apron on from her day at David's. I snapped at her to get up and get in the car, or I would put her in the car. I had never ordered her around like that. It felt foreign and wrong. But I felt justified in my actions. I felt I had no other choice. She was angered by my disrespect, but to my surprise, she listened. She was shooting me looks that threatened to make me fall dead where I stood. But still, she listened. We rode in silence. I decided on the way that we would try a new clinic. New to us, anyway. We had never been to Immediate Care, but I had heard great things. So, we went. In the waiting room she continued to avoid speaking to me. She was very mad at me. I reached and felt her forehead and she was definitely feverish. She was bundled up tight in her jacket, with her arms crossed on her chest. Her head was laid over slightly toward me. So as we waited, I broke the ice between us and put my arm around her. I grabbed the side of her feverish face and pulled her head down on my shoulder. She didn't pull away, so I knew she forgave me for snapping at her. She just laid there. She was sick and pitiful. I rubbed her head until we were called back. That was the day we met a hero.

While the girls and I were roaming the aisles of Wal-Mart the other day, I came across a familiar face.... I smiled and didn't think much more about it. Between working at David's, working at Shipley's and at SCRMC, there are a lot of familiar faces out there. So we continued to do our shopping. As usual, I threatened, bribed and used every thing in my arsenal to keep the kids from running amok. The allure of the pink and red really drew the girls in and they asked so sweetly if we could go down the Valentine aisle. As we walked and the girls "oohed" and "ahhed" over the yummy gifts wrapped in shimmery crimson hearts, I thought to myself, that as much as I say "they're just like their daddy", they are a LOT like me too. I, too, am drawn in by the seasonal aisle at WalMart. Whether it is decorated with red and green and smells of pine and cinnamon, or lined with black and orange and is scented of candy corn, or is draped in pastels and plaids with Eastery treats, or like this day, is covered red and pink and very girly and romantic. I love it, love it, love it. Soon, our trip down Valentine Road ended and there she was. That same sweet, smiling, familiar face. All of a sudden, a memory washed over me so vivid, my heart stopped beating and my eyes filled with tears. I was back in that waiting room at Immediate Care, with my sick lil mama on my shoulder. Before the thought was fully processed, my mouth began to ask "What's your name?" But before she could respond, I answered for her..."You're...You're Dr. Sumrall......" She shook her head in agreement. Looking back, she must have been a little freaked out by my greeting.....But you wouldn't know it to look at her. She continued to smile sweetly. She had a look on her face, as though her curiosity was peaked as to who I was. So, with a timid voice, I continued. "You won't remember me. But you found my mom's cancer". It was blunt, I know. But still I said it. Her hand left her side. She lifted it up and gently grabbed her chest. Though she remained quiet, she had an even softer look on her face. So I felt compelled to continue. "My mom was sick. She never went to the dr, so she had no regular physician. She had been to another clinic a couple times, with no results. Finally we came to see you. You were wonderful with her. You eventually ordered the test that discovered her cancer." Tears started to gather in her compassionate eyes. While I had the opportunity, I finished my thought. " You told us the results, and referred us to Dr. Dobbs. It unfolded from there. She had a very aggressive cancer. Because of YOU and your swift actions, we had ten beautiful months with our mom. You gave us that. Please never doubt the impact that you have on people....Because in our case, it was huge." I was proud of my unusual ability to put my thoughts together in sentences that actually made sense. Usually, when I have something to say that is important, ESPECIALLY about mom, my voice starts cracking, I stutter, and I sometimes even cry. I wanted her to know that she is a hero. Because she absolutely is. When I finished talking, she broke her silence and through her tears she simply said "Wow. Thank  you". Before I walked away, she said Mom's name: "Ms. Brenda Cochran". My heart fell out of my chest onto the floor. I shook my head "yes" in astonishment. She met mom a total of 4 times about two years ago. This dr. sees tons of patients a day, HOW did she remember my mom's name-- whom she has not seen in about two years? How? The mention of my mom's name jerked the tears from my eyes. I grabbed Dr. Sumrall and hugged her tight. I am just in awe of her dedication to her patients. Her compassion. Her urgency to discover the problem and actually heal people. Her tears proved her heart is in her work. Her memory of my mom proves her patients don't roll in and out on a conveyor belt. They mean something to her. She takes her God given talents seriously and it shows in her work. I thanked her again while we embraced. She continued to wipe her tears away and actually thanked me.

Dr. Sumrall didn't pull my mom from a burning building, she didn't jump in front of a bullet aimed at my mom, and she didn't find the chemo that made mom's cancer disappear. BUT, she did her job to the best of her ability. She ordered an xray that showed a mass. Then she ordered the ct-scan that revealed the mass was cancer. She moved swiftly and wasn't swayed by the fact that that mom had little money and was uninsured. Mom was in BAD shape when they found the cancer and it was spreading at a rapid speed. Had she been brushed off, she wouldn't have lived long at all.....weeks---- maybe.... Dr. Sumrall saved her. She gave us 10 months filled with memories and tears and irreplaceable conversations. She is a hero. An everyday hero.

PHOTO UPDATE

Well, I finally figured out how to get some more pics up....Here are a FEW random shots between Thanksgiving and now.......

 

My mama's siblings...."The Aunts": Sharon and Punkin, and my Uncle Ricky

 

My cousin Kody and his future wife Tayler

 

 

We all went to the cemetery on Thanksgiving

 

Michael's sister, Jamina.....They have a love-hate relationship

Yummy desserts

My sister in law Linda....Who had Mili quiet and happy until I walked up...

Rhett loved playing in the leaves...

My girls LOVED this movie!

When Michael took them hunting.

My daddy's b-day...Haha, when we forget bday candles, we light whatever we have on hand....

Neva's photo shoot with my phone...You wouldn't believe how often this happens... 

 

 

Christmas Decorations

 

Isn't she beautiful?

She did WONDERFUL at her very first recital!

Linda, Teresa, Jamina, Ronnie, Amber and the boys and My mother in law and father in law were among the crowd waiting for her when she came off stage.

Paw Paw's girl!

Oh yeah, SANTA made an appearance! Neva was so excited! She was looking all around as we were walking to our car, then she asked "where did he park his sleigh?!?!"

 

FIRST CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: The Saturday before Christmas, we celebrated with the Taylorsville family at Ronnie's house.

We had a "Cajun Christmas". Gumbo, red beans and rice, crab cakes, jambalaya, and all the fixin's....IT WAS GGGRREEAATTT!

We ate outside and the kids were running around like crazy.

The kids had a ball...Of course the weather was nothing like it should have been on Christmas.

Uncle Kandy, Kaden and Russ

BEAUTIFUL BABIES!

 

The lil ones

Kason and Dalton

 

Uncle Ray and Punk

My lil sweet hearts 

This is Mili's signature move...

 

Hyped up on chocolate

 

THIS KID LOVES FOOD

 

My Uncle Ray and Michael usually have to embrace one another at every holiday....

 

Little lady Nori

 

 SECOND CELEBRATION: The Sunday before Christmas at Angela's house in Lousiana (Michael's sister)

 (That's her on the other side of Michael)

 

THIRD CELEBRATION: Christmas Eve with my In laws 

 

Nay Nay's Bay Bay

 

Waiting not-so patiently

 

Baby Cooper

 

Teresa and Ana

 

It's always loud and action packed--and I love every second of it....

The family keeps growing, but the room size stays the same....

We all take turns opening.....We never did that when I was growing up. We just tore in at the same time.... I like this idea of waiting though. You can just see the temptation to rip the paper, and the anticipation of finding out what's inside just eating away at each lil one as they wait their turn.

Jessica and baby Payton

 

Getting Santa's snack ready

 

 

Waiting on Santa

 

Late, Late, the night of Christmas Eve

Santa may have "brought" the swing set, but Michael stayed outside until 2am working on it.

 

FOURTH CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Waking up to see what Santa brought, and opening gifts at home.

Sadly, it was raining Christmas morning...But the girls were amazed at the magic of Santa and how he made a huge swing set appear in our yard over night.

They even ran through the rain to get a closer look at it!

We kept it simple again this year.

Three small gifts per kid under the tree and a swing set from the big guy.

They were so proud of what they got!

Mili's favorite thing was the stocking full of milk chocolate...Which she had for breakfast, lunch, supper and snack.

 

 FIFTH CELEBRATION: Christmas morning with Uncle Bubba, Uncle Josh, Amber, Noah and Brady

This is not our tradition, but we switched things around to accommodate Josh's work schedule

The girls and I wore our pjs over there...Actually, we wore them all day.

No anticipation here....Just rippem' open!

Mili loved destroying the paper!

The boys got ninja turtle gear and all kinds of cool stuff

Neva got the Ghost Busters movies (which she's been BEGGING for) from Uncle Bubba AND........

 

ART SUPPLIES! She went CRAZY!

Michael fell asleep videoing a couple times.

 

 

This was officially the first time Mili ever pulled up. It was Christmas morning at Ronnie's house. She didn't do it a second time for several days.

 

 

I love those boys....

 

Uncle Bubba got his mani/pedi

 

and a complete makeover by lil Nori

 

Next we headed home....

There was a brief break in the rain when we got home and they played for a minute on their brand new swing set!

big sister pushing baby sister in her swing

Rylee came to play!

 

As you can tell by the faded color of this baby swing, it is actually not brand new. Santa was too busy to build a set so he bought the display model that has been sitting in Lowe's parking lot forever. It is sun bleached and missing a couple things that we intend to order. But Santa got an $1,800 swing set for $300--so we don't mind the few lil problems....

 

SIXTH CELEBRATION: A late breakfast at Nay Nay and Paw Paw's

Mountains of gifts....

All I could think was: "where am I going to put all this?"

Basically, anything pink works for Nori. Anything Pink or Dora themed.

Mili went practically all day with no nap.....

With all hand me downs in her lil toy box at home, Mili didn't know what to think about all these wonderful, new, colorful, noisy toys...

 

What good are rain boots, if you don't splash in the mud puddles? Or as Neva calls them "muddy pudds"

 

Yep, Ms Becky. You're right....Looks like the rain is coming back!

 

Cutie pa-tooty Rhett on Mommy's hip

 

Christmas Day was a LLLOOOOONGG tiring day.

 

UNCLE BUBBA'S BIRTHDAY! (Dec 26)

We had cupcakes!

And Ronnie made some wild rice casserole! (his favorite meal) YUMMY! (he makes it just like mom)

We forgot birthday candles...AGAIN. So he blew out a scented decorative one. Hey, whatever works.

 

SEVENTH (and final) CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION: Opening gifts the Sunday AFTER Christmas with Pop (my daddy)

I have never seen kids so excited about clothes. Neva and Nori insisted on changing immediately.

 

My daddy and his weird hats.

 

Neva and Nori's first run with the Easy Bake oven....Red velvet cupcakes.

 

Last year around Christmas we went and ate hibachi with my mom and the aunts. This year, we decided to do it again.

 

Don't let the look on Punk's face fool ya, the food was GREAT!

 

It's good to see Amber eating. She's been on a diet for like two years.

 

The girls didn't eat so well.....

 

Mili did not like the fire...AT ALL. But she ate really good.

 

 

 

I just love this picture....

 

Milk face....This is before I took her off the bottle, but I just love her cute lil milk face in this pic.

 

 

Fireworks on New Year's Eve

 

PawPaw's excited!

Happy New Year!

New Year decorations

Beautiful eyes

Sweet smile

 

I love her one squinty eye

Busted tooth on New years day. My dad was tickling her and you have to know Neva.....She LOVES to be tickled. She's addicted to it. But, she goes crazy while you're tickling her. Crazy legs. Crazy arms. And on this day, she had a crazy head. She slammed her face down on the end table, teeth first.

First Dental Appointment.....Sadly, it wasn't for a cleaning....It was for an xray. I am still sad about the tooth. Just devestated.

As if the tooth wasn't enough--Nori got this weird random rash on New Year's day..It only last a couple days or so.

First time in a booster seat for Neva, first time facing forward for Mili

Making Daddy a birthday card

It's a big serious deal, ya know?

Mili's contribution

The second ugliest cake ever

The love of my life.....And Michael too.....(just kidding, just kidding)

The day we signed up for soccer!

  

Getting some love from PawPaw

 

Well there you have it....Sorry it took me so long to figure out why I couldn't post pics. I'll post a few at a time from here on out, so I don't have to bombard you with thousands like I did today....