25 October 2011

Team Trish



The Oklahoma City Race for the Cure happened on a beautiful, sunny, windless day. There were lots of us in our Team Trish gear in Bricktown. Trish, just coming off her last chemo before her surgery, walked the entire 5K with her husband, two young sons, mother, siblings, friends and coworkers. It was moving.


She has done the deal. Kept her head down and took it like a girl, the chemo, the illness and kept working, kept being a mother. She told me cancer was just not going to become who she is, but an illness she has for a year. At the end of the walk, the survivors gathered on the ball field. She held back waiting for the line to clear. Her mother offered to walk over with her. She reached the end of the long line. It was a few seconds later that the ladies turned around to see her sweet peach fuzz and say "I was there a year ago," "five years ago," "ten," and "you can walk with us." Trish was enveloped by a sea of pink. She was one of them. It was too much for her mother. For all of us. So comforting. Such hope.


She has had her big surgery and of course texted pictures of herself in that hospital bed beaming that it was over.


I want to thank the wonderful friends who supported Trish with their words of comfort, cheering her on. I want to thank those who donated to my fundraising effort for the Cure which got me to $325! Thank you Marla, Alisa, Maija, Penny, Linda, Stefanie, Charlene and Julie. A thousand thank yous.


I didn't really hear from Jemellia all that weekend until she asked to bring this by. She made this quilt for Trish. I really don't have words for this. I delivered it to Trish in her hospital room. We didn't have words either. Trish read the center block, whispering "fight like a girl." We shed tears and ran our hands across this labor of a love, this symbol for what women can do...


What we do.

Thank you Jemellia. I am so moved by what we as women do for one another.

17 comments:

  1. I'm crying. Fred doesn't understand why and I couldn't be more grateful. Beautiful post friend!

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  2. Wow. Trish sounds like an amazing person. What an uplifting day. You're a great friend Robin. That quilt Jemellia made is so touching. What a treasure.

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  3. You 2BirdsInaPod are a tremendous duo. You are both amazing women and like Heather, I too, am crying.

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  4. The quilt was too much... I'm bawling now.

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  5. Wow! What a wonderful treasure of true friendship! Love you guys!

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  6. OH this is a beautiful post of hope and encouragement, friendship, and loving support...it really touched me! XO

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  7. That Jemellia...Wow...
    You are a beautiful friend, Robin. God, Please let us find a cure.

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  8. I love you girls, and that Jemellia is just off the chain! You all amaze me, there aren't enough words for all your goodness! Healing hugs to Trish and everyone in her life!

    Julie B.

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  9. To say this post is touching would be a huge understatement. There is power in this post. Love, friendship, encouragement, strength. What brave brave women we all are. You go Trish! Continue fighting like a girl.

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  10. What can I say? I missed this earlier. Now I'm crying. Love you both. xoxoxo

    Can I send you something for Trish? You can tell me what would be appropriate.

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  11. Oh, you two. That is beautiful, Jemellia. All my best to Trish.

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  12. Robin, this post was so beautifully written. You and Jemellia are such a comfort to all of us who are blessed to know you. Prayers and Godspeed to Trish. I now have great new piece of wisdom: Fight like a girl.

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  13. So sweet! Trish is such a beautiful lady. Love that people come together and love one another through these times. What a beautiful gesture from Jemeliia. So sweet and beautiful:)

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  14. Oh, Robin, I am so ashamed that I did not get my money in. I love what Jem did. We are so wrapped in our own little world here that I forgot. It was good to see a post today. I miss you and will fill you in soon.
    Hugs,
    Suz

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  15. I think Trish must count herself the most blessed girl to have a friend like you Robin. I love the picture of you two. I always love getting to see your beautiful face. Trish and women like her, who don't let the disease define them for the rest of their lives are destined to live life fuller than they ever would have. No doubt Trish will bless the lives of many with the wisdom she has gained in this experience. Much like you my sweet friend.
    Jemellia's quilt is so lovely, and what an amazing gift for Trish. You are right, there are no words.
    Your comment was a gift to my heart today!
    sending love...

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  16. I can barely look at that picture of the survivors on the field.

    Trish, you keep kicking ass, girl!!

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  17. robin...what a testamony of love, friendship, unity and all the things that make women so wonderful! jemellia's quilt and all the beautiful survivors say it all. and, please pass along to trish to continue to fight like the beautiful woman she is. franc

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You have no idea how much this comment means. I really thank you for taking time to connect with me. This is why we are here, isn't it?

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