Week #20 Roundup

This week the team raised $20.00, bringing the total up to $10 945.00. I always put off writing the weekly roundup in the hopes that miraculously and wonderfully, our total will surge higher higher higher and then I can say that we have raised something astronomical. And then I turn back the clock to November 7th when I first signed up for this ride and thought it would be a miracle to raise five hundred dollars. And then I look at our almost-eleven-grand. And then I think, "not bad." In fact, I think, "well done." Accordingly, I say "well done" to YOU, generous donors.

I have another total to speak of this week, but it's not so good. It's an amendment of the last blog's shoe total: two months, four pairs of shoes. On Thursday, I wanted to go to Montreal and so I booked the tickets. A little over 36 hours later, I was on a train. It felt nice to get away and abandon thinking and sadness, although there was a tad bit of sadness at missing Wallace come home fresh from the groomer. I relaxed, I read, I ate (I DIDN'T spin), and yes, I made a shopping itinerary. And when I saw these beautiful camel-coloured oxfords in my size, - LAST PAIR, no less - I couldn't help but think, yes, this is a sign - daddy wants me to own these. I have a feeling that I will use this line of thinking for the rest of my life. And why shouldn't I? Dads want their little girls to have everything they want. Even if they are only shoes.

Grief

I think I can speak confidently on behalf of me, Stace, and mom when I say that our grief is taking the form of a serious shopping addiction.

Two months, three pairs of shoes. Countless shirts. I have a whole new wardrobe. I don't think it's making me feel that much better (although, my oxfords are glorious). If anything, I feel great for two seconds before I remember that I'm becoming progressively poorer. And then I say screw it and go shopping again.

Dad was a very sensible shopper. I use "shopper" lightly. Really, he would only buy clothes when mom dragged him out and forced him. I wish I inherited this trait. Then again, his shoes were always awful-looking.

Week #19 Roundup

The team has raised $10 925.00! We are really not seeing any money come in at all, but with your help, lovely readers, we will raise a lot of money at our concert, all the while having a smashing good time :)

In other news, yesterday I received an acceptance from UVic for their Masters of English, and now I have the unfortunate task of actually making a decision about my life. Pros: one year, nice climate, beautiful school, my research interests (I have research interests???) seem like they fit really well with a number of their faculty. Cons: away from family, friends, and Wallace (admittedly, Wallace falls into the family category, but he's so special that he deserves a separate mention). I feel like so much has happened this year that I don't know if I'm ready to pack up and move across the country. Also, is it really bad that one of the first things I did was google if Victoria had any spinning studios?

I need help. Daddy? Can't you send me any signs? Come on! I'm sure you have lots of free time to fit in some divine intervention. No? Okay, you can get back to me.

Concert to Conquer Cancer!

After a couple of months of some serious planning, our second fundraising event is ready to be unveiled to the world: The Concert to Conquer Cancer!

The concert will be held at the El Mocambo at 464 Spadina Ave. on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 - two days before what would have been my dad's 55th birthday. Doors will open at 8PM, and cover will be $10 with one item of canned food (or alternatively, $12 without a can of food).

The Elmo has generously waived all rental and deposit costs, and will allow us to retain all of the money collected for donation to Team Hendy's Ride to Conquer Cancer and the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation. All canned goods collected from this event will be donated, and all money collected from the bar will go to Serving Charities. All in all, a concert for a cause!

Foxfire, BF Soul, and Gay will be performing, with other bands TBA.

To make this event a true success, first and foremost, we will need good company (that's where you all come in)! A lot of work has gone into the planning and organizing of this event (big shout out to Alyssa), so please come out, spread the word, and show your support for all of those who worked so hard to make this happen, and for all of us who are challenging ourselves to change the outcomes of cancer!

Week #18 Roundup

The team has raised $10 900.00! And an event poster/facegroup invitation for our cancer concert will follow soon.

On another note, why does it pour on the weekend (and why will it rain this weekend) when my dear Florence and I are reunited, yet sunny when we are apart? Not cool, Mother Nature, not cool.

Bad Day, Good Day

I volunteer at a rehab centre. It's something that I wanted to do before dad was placed in palliative care, and it's something that I started doing shortly after dad was placed in palliative care. Funnily enough, a volunteer spot opened up for me in their acquired brain injury unit. It's more evidence in favour of the feeling that things happen for a reason. I thought it would be difficult - to volunteer there with dad fresh in mind - but it's not. If anything, I enjoy it more. My supervisor told me that he's so impressed with how I'm holding it together. I said that I have bad days and good days. He said, "Then I guess I only see you on the good days." There are a lot of things that I don't understand and a lot of things that I have difficulty accepting, but I must say, dad sure found a way to give me direction. He brought me a little clarity about what I want to do in life.

That being said, today was a good day. It was one of those days where I walked to a wonderful coffee shop on my lunch (Manic), had a mind-blowing mocha, and jauntily made my way back to work (admittedly, I would have loved to have brought work outside). Sunglasses on, drink in hand, scarf thrown off and jacket unzipped, I had trouble finding music to listen to on my iPod. Nothing was cheerful enough to capture the spirit of the day. For once, it was enough to listen to Toronto and enjoy these little moments that make you think, "Things will be okay." Even if it is only for that little moment that you're in the sun.

The support group ended up being cancelled due to a lack of response, so instead, I went to my other support group: spin class with Alyssa.

Yeah, today was a good day.

Week #17 Roundup

Many thanks to everyone who came out to our Academy Awards fundraiser. I hope everyone had a good time, and it certainly seemed like everyone did. Plenty of food, trivia, prizes, and of course, the Oscars (may I add that I won the Oscar Pool?). All in all, we raised $200, which is not bad for a low-key night. Since we're still getting money in from people who did and did not attend the fundraiser, I'm going to hold off on a recap of how much the team has raised and save it for the weekend. Hopefully Stace will be able to post some pics soon, too.

Tomorrow, Mom and I are going to a support group held at the hospice for the recently bereaved. I have no idea what to expect. Will it be emotional? Depressing? Hopeful? A little bit of all of the above? I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Ey Da!

The other day ago I ate one of these peanut-buttery bad boys (naturally, alongside a coffee in true Henderson style). Anything with peanut butter was met with much enthusiasm from dad, but I know he particularly used to go nuts (pun intended) for these Laura Secord Crunchy Peanut Butter Eggs. It makes me smile when I see that mommy still buys these things that daddy really liked, even though he's no longer physically here to enjoy them. As usual, I couldn't eat the whole thing, so I wrapped up the other half for later snacking. When I later went to look for said half egg, it was gone! I'd like to think that dad went splitsies on this egg with me, but I suspect the chocolate monster stole it first (thanks, Dane).

Life without daddy is hard. I miss him a lot. However, I do manage to find my daily dose of dad in the little things in life. Whether it is coming home to Mom cooking a roast beef (one of dad's faves), Dane guzzling down Coke like there's no tomorrow, dad-style obnoxious wake-up calls (from Wallace), or finding these peanut butter eggs in the cupboard...dad makes me smile.

So dad, the other day ago I went to the Keg! Wish you could have come too, but hopefully they have prime rib wherever you are, I'm sure they do. Mom remarked that the ketchup lasts a lot longer now, but hey, the top stays clean (just teasing). Also, today I went hunting through all of those files you organized, trying to find my MRI write-up for my surgical consultation on Wednesday. I know I always made you look for these things cause I was a lazy bum...so you can imagine the trouble I had trying to find it! Mommy eventually found it in case you were wondering.

Everyone's been talking about Joannie's skate. For the record (and as a figure skater who understands the scoring system, as much as one is able to anyways), I don't think it was a sympathy bronze at all. She completely deserved it, step-out of the triple flip or not. I feel like I can really relate to her. I know heart attacks and brain cancer are very different, as is pushing through to skate in the Olympic as opposed to OUAs, but despite all of the differences, I feel like I know what she is going through. Her situation is not any easier or harder to deal with than my own - loss is loss and it always hurts. I really applaud her efforts to fight through the worst. I sent her a facebook message (not truly a creepy thing to do in this case, and hey! We have mutual friends). Through what she has been saying to the media, I have faith that she reads all of the messages she has been receiving.

That's all I have for now. I need to get back to my essay on sexism in the media.

Toodles!