Cancer sucks

The title is pretty obvious, I know.

 

Today's post is dedicated to my great-uncle Joe who passed away peacefully early Saturday morning after losing his battle with  

 

I had just pulled into Fletcher's Cove when I checked my phone. There was a text from the hubs that said "your mom called, call her back. she didn't say what it was about". At that point, I knew exactly what it was about. I've been to enough funerals to know that a phone call at a weird hour and/or a text = something bad. Sad..I know.

 

I called and talked to my Dad. He told me what I already knew. At that point, I got out of my car and joined my Team in Training teammates for our group run. I didn't cry. I guess in my heart I knew it was going to happen. However, when I got home, I cried while the hubs hugged me.

 

My grandparents are no longer alive and I think of my Uncle Joe and Aunt Gloria as grandparents. So many memories come flooding back when I think of them. My Aunt and Papa are brother and sister. She reminds me so much of him and it's like he's there when we visit with her.

 

Uncle Joe, Aunt Gloria & my Dad at my wedding

 

This is how I will always remember him.

 

Uncle Joe was all sorts of awesome. I will always remember his daily walks, his love for gardening, bocce, going out and buying buster bars when we visited. He was your typical Italian man...a man's man. They own a bricklaying company and he built the house my Aunt lives in brick by brick. I remember the hubs was nervous about meeting them. Italian+bricklayer =  mafia, in his mind. It's obvious the hubs watches way too much Sopranos.

 

Anyway....

 

I'm healthy but that doesn't mean tomorrow I could be diagnosed with leukemia. Or my Mom, Dad, husband, children, sister...you get the point. Cancer doesn't discriminate. It's easy to say "it'll never happen to me" and turn a blind eye.

 

I've been reflecting a lot the past few days. Although my uncle was not diagnosed with a blood cancer, I am proud of all of the fundraising I am doing with Team in Training. It takes a lot to commit to raising money. It's been kind of stressful but very rewarding.

 

Today is World Cancer Day and if you would like, you can make a tax-deductible donation HERE