So me and the misuses (Tracy) are doing our first charity event. Well second actually. A lot of you read about the big fundraiser UT Medical had where they interviewed Tracy and a few other parents about the experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. If not, you can see that here: Four weeks and Famous.
But this is our first event since bringing Anne Marie home in July. Surprisingly, it’s not for her, or for premature babies, or for the NICU at all. It’s the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a walk for Breast Cancer Awareness. While we were in our little bubble of going to the hospital every day for four months, sometimes twice a day, life apparently moved on every where else for most.
In that moving on, my little sister heard words no one wants to hear. “You have breast cancer.” Of the eight of us siblings, she’s definitely the talker. She was rendered speechless, for an entire day. So shaken was I, that a day and a half passed before I could even muster up the courage to call her, fearing I would not be able to keep my composure. I’m actually struggling as I type this.
As I said she’s the talker out of the eight of us, and probably the toughest, and my five sisters are as tough as they come. My two brothers are the oldest of our brood and I remember plenty of times where my oldest sister Jane, and my little sister Kathy, would have both of them cowering in a corner or fleeing for their lives out the front door; chasing them with a hair brush or a long piece of orange Hot Wheels track. We had some wicked bare knuckle fights when we were little. She has become sort of the engine of the family and we call her The Warden for good reason.
It took her about a day or so to get up off the mat and make a plan. Not unlike her frequent trips to The Container store, she has this whole deal organized.
Tracy and I want to help, but we live 700 miles away. So Tracy has organized a team to run, (ok probably walk), in the 3 mile Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event here in Knoxville. It’s a small thing, but it’s what we have at the moment.
Here’s the ask. If you would like to help us in this endeavor go to Tracy’s team web site and drop some pennies. Any amount is appreciated. Team Tracy: Race for the Cure
Here are a few shots I know I’ll be in trouble for. This was my father’s 80 birthday in 2009. Kathy is the bottom left.
Jimmy, Tommy, Jane, Carol, me, Susan, Mary Grace, Kathy, Mom and Pop.
This next shot is after some arduous camera instruction by Kathy. As I said there is a reason we call her The Warden. The inmates were starting to revolt.
Natives getting restless. Tommy never gets caught. Until this picture.
Frank's Place 
Well said. Tommy is always acting up! He’s in big trouble now. Thankfully our family is strong and we will carry Kathy to the finish line. She has been beyond strength for me and Bob this past two plus years and continues to be our strength. God is good and she will be victorious! Lots of love to you all. xoxoxo
Amen sister. Amen.
Well, beyond the obvious addition of Kathy to our nightly prayers (Bella and Brody have a direct line, it seems), the Coynes will be very happy to contribute to the cause pal.
Lots of love for all…especially the Warden…:)
Preciate ya man.
That must be photoshopped. I stay off the grid I can’t believe you turned on me like the worm in the apple. Was it because of Bubba and the hose on your lawn?
The dollars, it’s always the dollars.
Thanks Dude – now I need to go find a box of tissues!
Good Luck with the walk and I have already donated to the Team. Wish I could be there to walk with you, but maybe next year…HOPEFULLY!!
Thanks man. Wait till you see the t-shirts we had made. Pics coming after the walk.
Should I be afraid??
Only if awesome design and graphics frighten you. Don’t worry we had one made for you. It’ll be in the email on Monday.
I meant in the MAIL, not email. But that would be cool if we could email stuff to each other.
Fran nicely said and all extemely true. Sean forming team for relay for life in June which goes all nite God help us all. Carol and I will be doing the “resting” And you guys deserved it just saying!
You have to actually do something before you get to REST!
No, for the relay, some team members rest while other are walking, so me and Jane called the resting part!
Right but u take turns walking and resting goobers!! And im sure there will be a spreadsheet with a rotation schedule!!
We don’t know how to make a spreadsheet!!!!
[…] A good cause, always a good cause & Look what y’all did round out the top ten at Franks Place. While we were in our little bubble of going to the hospital every day for four months, sometimes twice a day, life apparently moved on every where else for most. In that moving on, my little sister heard words no one wants to hear. ”You have breast cancer.” She has beaten it so far. Radiation treatments are done and she on to the meds. Outlook is very good. We live 660 miles from the rest of my family in Jersey so not a whole lot we could do but ask for help, and walk. Team Kathy was formed in connection with my wife’s company to walk in the Komen Race for the Cure in Knoxville. Y’all responded and came up with this great effort. […]