CATHY - Scottsdale, AZ

We were blessed to spend the day with Cathy from Scottsdale, AZ on Tuesday.  Besides being beautiful, inside and out, she was a firecracker and had no trouble keeping up with the kiddos.  We spent the day riding trains and carousels at McCormick Train Park and then swimming at the community pool.  Cathy was amazingly hospitable and gracious.  She gave me many pointers on parenting, including "there's no such thing as 'terrible twos', you can enjoy your kids at every age", "ABC's stand for Anything But Chardonnay", and "write down every funny thing your kids say...it's your job as a parent to embarrass your children someday".  


Tate, Cathy, Shiloh, Choice, Juliann, and Ryder
 

The kids made cards for Cathy, thanking her for her generosity to our family.  She was loving and gentle as she allowed each one of them to explain what their drawings represent and how theirs was unique from the rest. 

 

Cathy and Ryder

Cathy invited her dear friend, Barbara, to join us for lunch at her home.  What made Barbara's visit with us so special was her connection to the Yarnell Hill Fire.  She and her family had owned a home in Peeple's Valley for 35 years.  Tragically, the home was completely lost to the fire that also claimed the lives of our loved ones.  She shared with the kids how devastated she was by the great loss we all suffered and told them a beautiful story.

"While the fire was burning by our home in Peeple's Valley, we watched as your Daddy's crew and other hotshot crews put sprinklers on our house in an attempt to save our home and the other homes around it".  She finished by telling the kids, "I know your Daddy is in heaven, a much better place... and he wouldn't come back here for all of the tea in China because heaven is so wonderful". 

How thankful I am that we were able to learn the perspective of another family's loss from that day.  It helped to shine light on the many lives affected and recognize grief outside of our own.  We are not the first, nor will we be the last, family to encounter suffering and tragedy.  I hope this meeting with Barbara will remind us all that our loss does not take away from the loss of another and we all need support each other.
 



Barbara, Ryder and Tate

We finished our day poolside.  While the kids enjoyed splashing in the water to cut through the Arizona heat, I was blessed to spend some cherished moments with Cathy learning what makes her tick.  She too is a widow and has found that while many widows/widowers may say they get lonely, she finds that there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all that she has set out to do.  She is writing a book, serving her community, spends time in her role as mother and grandmother, takes daily walks with her dog, Babe, and still makes the time to host families wandering the country in a bus.  Cathy and I sparked a true friendship and made a lasting connection.  I admire her will, her determination, and her beautiful view of the world.  "Life is a gift" she taught me..."So live it".




Shiloh, Cathy, Juliann, Choice, Ryder