Just wanted you all to know that yesterday, Grace's family bid her good-bye. As we say in the cancer world, Grace earned her angel's wings.
In her family's words:
Dear Friends and Family,
We can not believe that, after all the fighting Grace has done over the last two years, we must write what follows.
At 6:23 this morning, October 29th 2007, Grace Lindsay Oughton earned her wings and is at peace in the arms of the Lord. She fought much harder than we could have and we are so very proud of her. She was an inspiration to us and to so many others. She is our princess and our hero.
Fly Butterfly...Fly.
Please visit http://www.savegrace.com/ to show your support for this amazing family. Thank you to the many who have prayed with us for Grace this past year and a half; we are sorry to see her fight end in this way, and our hearts are with the Oughton family this week.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
thanks for eating for eddie
We want to officially thank the MANY of you who came out Wednesday night to "Eat for Eddie." A colleague of mine commented on the beautiful, hopeful spirit of the evening; together, we created an atmosphere of JOY. Afterwards, Kori (Eddie's mom) and I talked around my kitchen table about the synergy of working with others, about how much good is accomplished when people come together. Thank you once again for being people, and friends, who care, even for people you do not know. Kori was truly touched, and I'm pleased that the event, and the donations many of you made without coming, raised nearly $2,500 for Eddie and his family. We're so grateful, as this will see the family through the holiday time and into the spring...and we hope by then for Eddie's return to school, and a healthy and normal life for them all.
Kori told me that the highlight of her evening were the 13 people who registered as bone marrow donors. THANK YOU for registering to save a life. For Kori and I, that alone made our event completely worth it.
Special thanks also to Tony Gallo Group, who added musical FUN to the night, and to Tatiana's, for hosting us.
We have spent a weekend recuperating from the event, and from a busy week. Friday night Jason and I went to see a movie, which we have had no desire to do in quite a while...we went to see "Dan in Real Life," which was a completely sweet and feel-good movie, just what I needed. Yesterday we spent a lovely afternoon at the Winchells house (Jason's folks), where we gathered to take a professional family portrait and to celebrate our 2 nephew's 4th birthdays. And today, after church, Orilus and Jackson were invited to a birthday party...and we ended up alone! How strange, this beginning of separation between us and our children, when they have their own schedules, and friends! But we shared a lovely afternoon together at Barnes and Noble as Jason worked on graduate work and grading, and I at journaling and reading. I truly needed a weekend like this to re-orient and rest, and I am grateful for it. Jason and I laughed so much this afternoon...laughed till we cried. It's so funny how an afternoon into our 11th year of marriage can feel rather like an afternoon in our 1st...and yet so much more history to it, so much more fullness.
I didn't get a chance to comment on last weekend, which was also awesome. Every year my sisters and I try to gather for our annual "sister retreat," and we had a BALL last weekend at Debby's condo in Cambridge. We took a professional portrait, and hung out at a mall, and did a Duck Tour, and talked and laughed. I really, really miss my sisters lately, with Becky living in New Jersey and Ginny in Vermont, and it was such a joy to be together with them. I wish we could do sister retreat every weekend. There is simply nothing like having a sister, and being loved by a sister. Man, do I love them.
So after weeks of tiredness, and some sickness, and much overwhelming, I think I'm on an upswing, and more ready to move into whatever this new season of life is, with school in full-swing, and my boys growing up, and Jason taking classes. It's been a harder adjustment than I thought, and though it's taken me until nearly November, I'm finally ready to embrace this school year, and the changes it has already brought. I'm re-affirming my faith that whatever life brings, God is here, and we are okay.
Much hope and peace to you all.
Missy
Kori told me that the highlight of her evening were the 13 people who registered as bone marrow donors. THANK YOU for registering to save a life. For Kori and I, that alone made our event completely worth it.
Special thanks also to Tony Gallo Group, who added musical FUN to the night, and to Tatiana's, for hosting us.
We have spent a weekend recuperating from the event, and from a busy week. Friday night Jason and I went to see a movie, which we have had no desire to do in quite a while...we went to see "Dan in Real Life," which was a completely sweet and feel-good movie, just what I needed. Yesterday we spent a lovely afternoon at the Winchells house (Jason's folks), where we gathered to take a professional family portrait and to celebrate our 2 nephew's 4th birthdays. And today, after church, Orilus and Jackson were invited to a birthday party...and we ended up alone! How strange, this beginning of separation between us and our children, when they have their own schedules, and friends! But we shared a lovely afternoon together at Barnes and Noble as Jason worked on graduate work and grading, and I at journaling and reading. I truly needed a weekend like this to re-orient and rest, and I am grateful for it. Jason and I laughed so much this afternoon...laughed till we cried. It's so funny how an afternoon into our 11th year of marriage can feel rather like an afternoon in our 1st...and yet so much more history to it, so much more fullness.
I didn't get a chance to comment on last weekend, which was also awesome. Every year my sisters and I try to gather for our annual "sister retreat," and we had a BALL last weekend at Debby's condo in Cambridge. We took a professional portrait, and hung out at a mall, and did a Duck Tour, and talked and laughed. I really, really miss my sisters lately, with Becky living in New Jersey and Ginny in Vermont, and it was such a joy to be together with them. I wish we could do sister retreat every weekend. There is simply nothing like having a sister, and being loved by a sister. Man, do I love them.
So after weeks of tiredness, and some sickness, and much overwhelming, I think I'm on an upswing, and more ready to move into whatever this new season of life is, with school in full-swing, and my boys growing up, and Jason taking classes. It's been a harder adjustment than I thought, and though it's taken me until nearly November, I'm finally ready to embrace this school year, and the changes it has already brought. I'm re-affirming my faith that whatever life brings, God is here, and we are okay.
Much hope and peace to you all.
Missy
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
sweet grace
It's been a while since we've last written; I've been struggling with exhaustion and not feeling well. But today I read something that puts life back into perspective.
Some of you remember Grace, the beautiful little girl who lived next door to our room on the transplant floor. Sadly, her parents have taken her home to die; she is very unwell, and her disease (a very rare cancer) has spread and is beyond treatment. Please keep Grace and her family in your prayers this week as they find ways to say good-bye and to grieve. My heart goes out to them completely.
Others (and this seems so random at times) are bettering. Eddie, for example, is making some progress, very slow, but progress nonetheless. He's certainly excited for his event tomorrow--though he won't be there, he's been working hard to contribute to it, baking for the bake sale, and painting a work of art for our auction. :) We hope many of you will come out to Tatiana's tomorrow night to support him and his family. We're especially excited at the way our community of transplant friends is coming together tomorrow--a few families who've had bone marrow transplants will be there, as well as Eddie's nurse from 6 West. How cool.
And others are completely well. Orilus and Jackson are thriving (with the usual hiccups of misbehaviors common to 4th and 3rd graders). :) Both plan to attend tomorrow night, and are looking forward to celebrating with many of you a complete recovery, and hope for Eddie's complete recovery.
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. As we celebrate, we will remember Grace, and remember again how much we are, all of us, in need of the gifts only God can give.
Grace of Jesus be with us all,
Melissa
Some of you remember Grace, the beautiful little girl who lived next door to our room on the transplant floor. Sadly, her parents have taken her home to die; she is very unwell, and her disease (a very rare cancer) has spread and is beyond treatment. Please keep Grace and her family in your prayers this week as they find ways to say good-bye and to grieve. My heart goes out to them completely.
Others (and this seems so random at times) are bettering. Eddie, for example, is making some progress, very slow, but progress nonetheless. He's certainly excited for his event tomorrow--though he won't be there, he's been working hard to contribute to it, baking for the bake sale, and painting a work of art for our auction. :) We hope many of you will come out to Tatiana's tomorrow night to support him and his family. We're especially excited at the way our community of transplant friends is coming together tomorrow--a few families who've had bone marrow transplants will be there, as well as Eddie's nurse from 6 West. How cool.
And others are completely well. Orilus and Jackson are thriving (with the usual hiccups of misbehaviors common to 4th and 3rd graders). :) Both plan to attend tomorrow night, and are looking forward to celebrating with many of you a complete recovery, and hope for Eddie's complete recovery.
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. As we celebrate, we will remember Grace, and remember again how much we are, all of us, in need of the gifts only God can give.
Grace of Jesus be with us all,
Melissa
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
eat for eddie
Dear Family and Friends,
Our family would like to invite you to come and eat with us. Join us in our Eat for Eddie event!On Wednesday, October 24th from 5 - 9 p.m., our family will join with Eddie's family at Tatiana's Restaurant (70 Market Street in Lynn) to raise money for Eddie's Fund. Tickets are $25 per adult ($5 for children) and include a meal (you'll get to choose from a varied and yummy event menu), a soft drink, and gratuity.
You'll also be treated to live jazz and pop music from Tony Gallo Group! Finally, our evening will include...
...a bone marrow donor registry...your chance to register as a potential bone marrow donor and save a life!
...a silent auction!
...a bake sale (featuring Eddie and Orilus' baking skills)!
We hope you'll consider coming to Tatiana's on the evening of the 24th; tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds from the event will benefit Eddie's Fund, established by our family to support Eddie, a seven-year-old North Shore boy we met while on the bone marrow transplant floor last year. Eddie continues to fight for good health, and Eddie's Fund provides the financial support and hope he needs to do just that. So come and eat...Eat for Eddie...and help to heal a young life.
Orilus and our family would LOVE to see you there!
If you cannot come but would like to donate to Eddie's Fund, send a check made out to Eddie's Fund to:
Eastern Bank
405 Paradise Road, B337
Swampscott, MA 01907
Thanks for supporting Eddie's Fund!
Melissa on behalf of Team Winchell and our buddy Eddie
Our family would like to invite you to come and eat with us. Join us in our Eat for Eddie event!On Wednesday, October 24th from 5 - 9 p.m., our family will join with Eddie's family at Tatiana's Restaurant (70 Market Street in Lynn) to raise money for Eddie's Fund. Tickets are $25 per adult ($5 for children) and include a meal (you'll get to choose from a varied and yummy event menu), a soft drink, and gratuity.
You'll also be treated to live jazz and pop music from Tony Gallo Group! Finally, our evening will include...
...a bone marrow donor registry...your chance to register as a potential bone marrow donor and save a life!
...a silent auction!
...a bake sale (featuring Eddie and Orilus' baking skills)!
We hope you'll consider coming to Tatiana's on the evening of the 24th; tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds from the event will benefit Eddie's Fund, established by our family to support Eddie, a seven-year-old North Shore boy we met while on the bone marrow transplant floor last year. Eddie continues to fight for good health, and Eddie's Fund provides the financial support and hope he needs to do just that. So come and eat...Eat for Eddie...and help to heal a young life.
Orilus and our family would LOVE to see you there!
If you cannot come but would like to donate to Eddie's Fund, send a check made out to Eddie's Fund to:
Eastern Bank
405 Paradise Road, B337
Swampscott, MA 01907
Thanks for supporting Eddie's Fund!
Melissa on behalf of Team Winchell and our buddy Eddie
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