Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Game is Afoot: The Dallas/Ft. Worth Brain Tumor Society 5K Walk

I wouldn’t normally look forward to this time of year because it always reminded me of what Carroll and I were dealing with. Now, I look forward to it because it gives me the chance to tap into Carroll’s spirit of giving and help fight the war against this disease.

The event is being held on November 8, 2014 which is a Saturday. It’s looks to be even larger than last year and I love being a part P1010202of it. I already have a few team members and would love to have some more. Not only to walk with us, but to help raise money. You can donate to me or you can join the team and get your own web page to take donations on. Follow our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WalkWithKiwi. This is the easiest way to keep up, even if you don’t have a Facebook page. When you register, I’ll send an email to the one you logged in with. I’ll keep them to about every 2 to 3 weeks and if you want to opt out, just let me know.

We will also have a t-shirts provided free this year. It would seem that we won a contest of sorts and all we have to do is submit a design and the organization will pay for the production of the shirts.

So, go to We Are Team Kiwi and register to help fund raise and walk with us, or you can go to my personal page at James Pickering to donate. Regardless, please pass this message on to anyone that can be of help to this cause. I have seen too many people lose their lives to brain cancer in the last few years and I want to be a part of the generation that stops it in it’s tracks. Help me do that. Please. For me, my daughter, and my wife, Kiwi.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Happy Birthday, My Love!

Happy Birthday to my loving departed. She would have been forty-two this year. The mother of a beautiful, smart, active four year old daughter. Still, doing her best to make sure everyone else was taken care of. In a way, I picture her doing that from on high as she rides butterflies, as Lilly puts it. She joined Grandpa Jim, and since, has been joined by Uncle Jeremy, her brother-in-law. Lilly and I say goodnight to them at every bedtime. She sleeps better knowing that we've talked to them. I want to write more, but it's hard. Over a year gone and it is still hard to comprehend. We didn't have a birthday party for her like we did last year. Graduations are going on around us, Mother's Day, more birthdays, and life in general. I figure everyone will remember her in their own way, but I would like to remind everyone of how giving she was and ask that you give in some way to someone else. Not today, but somewhere in the near future. Love to all. We miss you, Mama.
Carroll and Julie DeChristefaro on Vacation
The photo is of Carroll and her friend, Julie, on vacation and having some fun with a portrait. Troublemakers.

Monday, April 7, 2014

On Butterfly Wings

Carroll and her sister Maggie

I haven't posted on here in a while. Been dealing with the loss of my little brother among other things. But that doesn't mean we don't have more memories to post. My brother's death was upsetting to Lilly but she handled it in stride. Seems since we've lost Mama, she has been part of the funeral of five fish, two chicks, and then this recent loss. I know that she is handling it well because of this. Grandma Bitsy told me that one evening Lilly told her that Mama was riding butterflies in heaven. Don’t know where she got that from, but that’s what she said. Then upon finding out about Jeremy’s passing, she got quiet. I asked her if that made her sad and she said yes. I said that that was okay and if she felt like crying, then that was okay, too. She shook her little head. Then she looked up at me and asked, “are there enough butterflies in heaven for Uncle Jeremy to ride, too?” It makes me smile every time I think about it, that Grandpa Jim, Kiwi, Uncle Jeremy, two cats (Jade & Tigger), five fish, and two baby chicks are riding butterflies. Well, maybe not the fish and chicks.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Super Bowl Commercial Was Our Life

Kind of funny that they aired this the day before the one year anniversary of Carroll's passing. It hit me kind of hard, because this WAS me and Carroll. The five years before Lilly came along, we took long drives. We would drive for hours, just hold hands and watch the countryside. This commercial is how I see some of our most memorable moments, enjoying each other's company and nothing but the road whine and the radio to keep us company.

But, it also showed the trips that we took, knowing that some day she wouldn't be there and we just bathed in the moment of togetherness and hoping for that dawn of sunlight that might be a cure or at least a diagnosis of remission. I miss my beloved everyday. This video helps me remember some of our moments. It's strange to say that about a car commercial, but it does.