Symposium and DC
I am back from Washington DC with a very special award and very sore feet! 
I arrived in DC on Wed. and had dinner with some very special friends and ate WAY too much (that was the theme for the week(end). After dinner I finally went to bed about midnight and did not sleep a wink...UGH! Thursday was the day the rest of the meso patients arrived, some I know well and some I have talked to but have never met and then the newbies. This day started at 7:30, everyone who knows me, knows what a morning person I am!! (again the theme for the weekend) It was an emotional day as those who I know came in and we hugged and remembered Craig. It was very difficult for many (me included) to see Craig's name on the
Tribute Wall and tears flowed easily through breakfast.
We then all received our assignments to meet with our Senators and Congressman on Capital Hill. It was de'ja vu'. I always hope it does some good, but I always feel the same way....tired and a bit unheard, even though they SEEM to listen. I had Craig's picture, his ashes, and Julie G. had gathered 1000 signatures and ran me a copy to take with me to show support. Thanks Julie!
Then it was back to the hotel....a bit of pool time! Then we ate dinner at the hotel. My sister Phyllis and brother-in-law Lee arrived just in time to eat and have a couple of drinks. Emily arrived about 11:30. I believe I behaved that night and was in bed.
Friday....This was the BIG day. This was the official dedication of the Tribute Wall. I had been doing REALLY well. I was consoling other people that were having a hard time prior to today. But, when I had to go and light a candle and move me feet towards the wall, I just couldn't move. The tears came easily and the pain did too! All four of us got up when I finally collected my self and I lit a candle and then Emily and I lit one together. The meso community was very supportive and hugs came from all directions.
Afterwords we walked to have lunch....more food! Then Emily and I went and laid by the pool for a couple of hours and then took a much needed nap. It was then time for the Gala Dinner and my Acceptance Speech. (Carol posted it on Friday..thanks!) It went over well. I had to power through some parts. But it was received well. I was approached the rest of the night and on Saturday and was told by total stranger and people I knew as well, how inspiring my speech was, so that made me feel very good! What I am really excited about is that in my speech I asked people to donate money to Craig's Grant...$50,000 was collected that night!!!!!!!! WE are half way to fulfilling another grant in Craig's name. Plus I challenged people to start their own fund raising effort. Another $57,000 was collected as well!!!!!! AWESOME!
A group of 12 of us went to dinner. I have to say at one point I did have to go to the bathroom and broke down. Someone went around and took pictures of all of the couples......
But the night was young. We ended up back at the hotel bar. YIKES!! Kyle flew in at some point, but I think it was last call! I had a couple of chocolate martinis...NEED I SAY MORE!!! CELEBRATION.
Saturday. It was time to tour DC. We had breakfast and Phyllis and Lee dropped us off at the Washington Monument. They went to the zoo and then went on to see Lee's family. Thanks so much for coming and supporting me! I know she said she would be posting some pics. Sat. & Sun. The 3 of us then took DC by storm. Seeing A LOT of it. My feet hurt, my legs feel like lead, but it was great to spend time with Kyle and Emily.
So in closing. It was a wonderful week(end). I am hoping to come up with a new fundraiser to help get the next $50,000. It sadden me when I heard the foundation only gave out 5 grants last year instead of 10 because of lack of funding!! I hope you will help me to push on in Craig's name to get ONE more grant next year.
BELIEVING....Shelly
.
I arrived in DC on Wed. and had dinner with some very special friends and ate WAY too much (that was the theme for the week(end). After dinner I finally went to bed about midnight and did not sleep a wink...UGH! Thursday was the day the rest of the meso patients arrived, some I know well and some I have talked to but have never met and then the newbies. This day started at 7:30, everyone who knows me, knows what a morning person I am!! (again the theme for the weekend) It was an emotional day as those who I know came in and we hugged and remembered Craig. It was very difficult for many (me included) to see Craig's name on the
Tribute Wall and tears flowed easily through breakfast.
We then all received our assignments to meet with our Senators and Congressman on Capital Hill. It was de'ja vu'. I always hope it does some good, but I always feel the same way....tired and a bit unheard, even though they SEEM to listen. I had Craig's picture, his ashes, and Julie G. had gathered 1000 signatures and ran me a copy to take with me to show support. Thanks Julie!
Then it was back to the hotel....a bit of pool time!
Then we ate dinner at the hotel. My sister Phyllis and brother-in-law Lee arrived just in time to eat and have a couple of drinks. Emily arrived about 11:30. I believe I behaved that night and was in bed.Friday....This was the BIG day. This was the official dedication of the Tribute Wall. I had been doing REALLY well. I was consoling other people that were having a hard time prior to today. But, when I had to go and light a candle and move me feet towards the wall, I just couldn't move. The tears came easily and the pain did too! All four of us got up when I finally collected my self and I lit a candle and then Emily and I lit one together. The meso community was very supportive and hugs came from all directions.
Afterwords we walked to have lunch....more food! Then Emily and I went and laid by the pool for a couple of hours and then took a much needed nap. It was then time for the Gala Dinner and my Acceptance Speech. (Carol posted it on Friday..thanks!) It went over well. I had to power through some parts. But it was received well. I was approached the rest of the night and on Saturday and was told by total stranger and people I knew as well, how inspiring my speech was, so that made me feel very good! What I am really excited about is that in my speech I asked people to donate money to Craig's Grant...$50,000 was collected that night!!!!!!!! WE are half way to fulfilling another grant in Craig's name. Plus I challenged people to start their own fund raising effort. Another $57,000 was collected as well!!!!!! AWESOME!
A group of 12 of us went to dinner. I have to say at one point I did have to go to the bathroom and broke down. Someone went around and took pictures of all of the couples......
But the night was young. We ended up back at the hotel bar. YIKES!! Kyle flew in at some point, but I think it was last call! I had a couple of chocolate martinis...NEED I SAY MORE!!! CELEBRATION.Saturday. It was time to tour DC. We had breakfast and Phyllis and Lee dropped us off at the Washington Monument. They went to the zoo and then went on to see Lee's family. Thanks so much for coming and supporting me! I know she said she would be posting some pics. Sat. & Sun. The 3 of us then took DC by storm. Seeing A LOT of it. My feet hurt, my legs feel like lead, but it was great to spend time with Kyle and Emily.
So in closing. It was a wonderful week(end). I am hoping to come up with a new fundraiser to help get the next $50,000. It sadden me when I heard the foundation only gave out 5 grants last year instead of 10 because of lack of funding!! I hope you will help me to push on in Craig's name to get ONE more grant next year.
BELIEVING....Shelly
.
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