Where Are We Going?

Before I start my story, I'm delinquent in posting pictures from Carina's big first day of pre-school last Tuesday. The did great and is very proud of the fact that she is going to school. She goes Tuesday and Thursday for 2 1/2 hours in the morning. Thursday night she was singing us some songs from her week. Very, very cute.


Olivia with her sister on her first day of school....


I've got my backpack and I'm ready to go!

Olivia took this picture for us...

All ready to head into my school....(this picture is ALL Carina!)

The second day went well too. So far, everyone is off to a great year!

So here is my story....

Today I walked into Sendik's (or neighborhood food market) and one of the cashiers was on the phone at the customer service desk and motioned to me to come over. I'm very much a regular at the store - I'm there twice a week since the store opened a few years or so ago. So, they've seen me through hair, no hair, and back to hair again. There are a couple people that I regularly chat with, including the checker that wanted to talk to me. So she comes from behind the customer service counter and asks me my name (this is how informal my conversations are - I only know Luke the butcher by name to this point!) and tells me to come with her to the back of the store. I had to ask if I should be worried - I've never been whisked away at the grocery store before. She takes me back behind the doors to the deli area (this is very, very strange I'm thinking) and has one of the chefs come over. Her name is Beth (I see from her name tag, because she's usually to far away for me to see it) and I've, of course, chatted with her before. Apparently, they've been on the look-out for me.

Beth goes onto tell me that Kevin, the other chef, who I've also chatted with and complimented me when my hair was very, very, very new, has been diagnosed with cancer. Kevin is now a leukemia and lymphoma survivor. He is a tall, happy, strong-looking guy, who is so tall, that he has to duck his chef hat so it doesn't bump the range hood. He is receiving in-patient chemo and has mentioned my name and called me an inspiration. I give Beth a hug and tell her that I am very flattered. My journey has been a cake walk compared to his, I am certain. She tells me that he would like to hear from me and gives me his phone number and an address.

Tomorrow I will go find the best card that I possibly can and send it to him, because there was nothing like getting a good card. I'll give him my number so he can call on his time. I'm not sure how I would introduce myself on the phone - "This is Sandy, the customer from Sendik's that was wearing bandannas about a year ago. I was just abducted at the store..." What will I say to him? I will tell him to enjoy the days where you can eat raw fruits and vegetables and set some goals for this time next year - something you've wanted to do, but never had the time. Before you know it, you will be the one that is some one's inspiration and was wearing bandannas last year.

Chef Kevin, I will wear my Cancer Sucks bike socks for my duathlon tomorrow in your honor.