A special thank you

I couldn’t possibly remember everyone who sent their condolences, came to one of the viewings or the funeral, or sent thoughts and prayers our way. There’s just too many to name, even if it all wasn’t a blur.

However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize some people, without whom this incredibly difficult process would have been even more difficult.

Above is a scrapbook that Missy made for me. It was very sweet and there are pics from my 3 Breast Cancer 3-Days, and there’s plenty of room for more pictures. It was a very heart-felt gesture, and I appreciate it.

Most importantly, I need to thank the Ray family-Cathie, Candy (Tenney), Felicia and Heather (McHale). They were always like a second family to Shayna and I, and they showed that they still were, after so many years.

First off, Cathie is the one who graciously set up the Website for Shayna, where people could post messages (and the ones that were received before she passed were read to her there in Hospice) and donate to help the family out.

Being a family of 5 now, it wasn’t easy for us to get anywhere, and having a wedding coming up next month, we were short on cash to rent a vehicle. Felicia picked us up in Cathie’s van, had us drop her off at work, and we had use of the van for a few days.

When Cathie needed her van back, Heather coordinated with my friend Andy, who’d offered the use of his Jeep to us (but it only had 4 seats/seatbelts and couldn’t fit all of us) and lent us her car while borrowing the Jeep. This way we could avoid spending $500 or so on renting a car-we couldn’t afford that, and we couldn’t be without a vehicle.

Candy spent several days working on the slideshow that was shown at the luncheon after the funeral. I know it was incredibly difficult for her, looking at 32 years of pictures, setting them up in order, setting it to music…I know she spent a lot of time crying while working on it. I was very composed all through Friday, and Saturday morning (Thursdays viewing was rough for a while), and had my mind set to be strong and composed when I read my part of the eulogy. That went to hell after I saw the slideshow-I lost my composure and didn’t regain it until after the interment.