Monday, September 5, 2011

Reach Out and Touch

These are four of the nicest people I know. The dad, Joel, worked with me at Roy's back in the day. His smile was ever present, his laughter came through even on the most stressful of days, and his love for life was contagious.

Kirsten came to work with us at Roy's later. She is one of the coolest women I have ever known. Smart, funny, kind, and compassionate. And a whole lot of fun. One time I managed to slip out of motherly and wifey routines and escape with Kirsten and another friend to Maui for the weekend where we attended a workshop and stayed at a friend's house.

Great times. Absolutely wonderful memories.

******

Kirsten and Joel became best friends before they became serious. Their relationship started off on solid ground and turned into something huge and enduring.

My son was the ring bearer at their wedding. It goes down in my memory as best wedding ever. Everyone stayed until the end, dancing the night away in a hotel ballroom with a view of Waikiki and Diamond Head.

*****

I left Roy's to teach full time.

Kirsten went on to earn her Master's degree in clinical psychology.

Joel went into management.

Kirsten and Joel moved several times as he managed different restaurants. They ended up in Seattle with two beautiful little boys.



A year ago Joel was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Since then, Kirsten and Joel have been fighting hard for his life. He has been in remission and out and in remission again.

Then last week, the doctors told Kirsten if Joel wanted to come home and spend time with his friends and family, now would be the time. His liver cannot take any more chemo. They have been told that hospice might be the best choice right now.

Joel's come home to Hawaii.

We hope and pray for a miracle.

All prayers, visualizations, good wishes, are needed and welcome.

Joel's friends have set up this website to help the family out. Please visit. Offer them your love and prayers and if you can help them out through this most difficult time,

Thank-you.

And tell a friend.



This will be my photo essay for the Spin Cycle this week.

22 comments:

Brian Miller said...

got you covered on the prayer from pseudo...they seem like beautiful people...hoping for miracles...

Kristan said...

Oh Pseudo... I'm so sorry for your friends. I will definitely donate and pass on the word. {hug}

Anonymous said...

Done and done.

xoxo

Lisa said...

beautiful people, I pray.

Jan said...

Oh, Pseudo. I am so sorry for your friends - they sound like such lovely people. Off to visit the site right now.

Bill Lisleman said...

Wish strength for him and his family. Now that he is coming home I hope you can visit him and his family and bring additional comfort.

Mama Badger said...

I will never understand how life can take away such beautiful people way before there done living. So sorry to hear about Joel. Prayering for him and his family.

Rosaria Williams said...

So sorry to hear about Joel, and the burden the family is facing. Yes, a miracle is due. My thoughts and blessings.

Jack said...

I have a very close friend who is fighting for his life against a rare cancer. Darn shame! I'm sending your friend Joel and his family some good, positive, healing vibes... I'll head over to his site right now.

Take care,
Jack♥

Shadow said...

how beautiful, how sad. they are both in my prayers...

SuziCate said...

Praying for a miracle for this beautiful family.

Anna Lefler said...

Oh, my goodness. I'm so very sorry and I'm sending the very best healing thoughts and prayers.

Take care...

XOXO

Anna

CiCi said...

So sad that a young husband and father is losing the battle with cancer. It took many years for my daughter to recover when her husband died. My heart goes out to this family.

viewfromdownhere said...

Over here from Sprite's Keeper - my thoughts and prayers go out to this amazing and beautiful family.

Stacy Uncorked said...

Ohhhh! I'm so sorry about your friends! I'm off to visit the link, but wanted to let you know I'll definitely be keeping them in my thoughts and prayers! ((HUGZ!))

K Dubs said...

:( prayers and thoughts going out to Joel, his family and your family. That just sucks.

Casey said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. They look like such a great, happy family! Hoping Joel gets many more Hawaiian sunsets to enjoy.

Mrsbear said...

They will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hoping for miracles.

secret agent woman said...

Oh my, that is so sad. Such a waste. Keeping them in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

[[[[[Pseudo]]]]]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your friends and their family. I am so sorry you and they hae to go through this. Cancer SUCKS. I feel for you. Hopefully his "homecoming" can be peaceful and rewarding for the family.

Michele R said...

I'm sending heartfelt prayers for this beautiful family.

Lifeofkaylen said...

so sad, cancer suck so bad!!!! I just heard of an old friend who also was diagnosed this year. I'm so sick of it all. Cancer-boo!!!

I am thinking good thoughts for your friends and their family in this hard time.