Mike is gone

My big brother, Mike, died of esophageal cancer on Monday, July 28. His death came only 2 months after we found out his cancer had spread and was terminal. He spent the last 3 weeks of his life at Agrace Hospice in Madison, WI. My family and I are so grateful to this wonderful hospice facility, and the angels who work there. I will miss my brother so much, and I will never forget the strength and dignity with which he faced this illness. He never once complained or said "why me". I did hear him say, many times, "it is what it is". I hope I will be as strong and brave when my time comes to face something like this.

We are Married!

Dan and I had a perfectly wonderful wedding day. The weather was gorgeous, 70 and sunny. We took the bus to the Blue Line down to City Hall, where we met Peggy, Ted, Dawn, Brad, Nancy and Sarah Riley. Sarah brought me a beautiful bouquet of cream-colored roses. Marriage Court at City Hall was awesome! We waited about 15 minutes, and Brad played the Hawaiian Wedding Song on a tiny little cassette player. Hilarious! We were ushered into a small office and were married by Judge Steven Bernstein, who was fabulous. It was a warm and very loving ceremony. It was so much more than we all expected! After the ceremony Nancy passed out barley for everyone to toss at us when we exited City Hall. So cool! We then went over to the food court at the State of Illinois building to get something to drink and relax until it was time to go to Petterino's for lunch. We enjoyed a step dancing demonstration at the State of IL building. It was all so perfect, and we had a blast. At 1:15 we made our way to the restaurant and were joined by my niece Katie and her husband Steve. Lunch was delicious, and then Dan and I made our way back home. Tomorrow we are off to Akron, Ohio for AA Founders Day. I could not have had a more perfect little wedding!! We are very, very happy.