Thanks

I wanted to start off by simply saying thanks to some of the many people who deserve a thank you from me. 

Thanks to everyone who came to the services for Megan last week.  This may sound like a form response, but I’m not really sure how else to say it – I truly appreciated everyone who took the time and effort to come.  I’ve been on the other side of that receiving line at a visitation/wake service before, and most times I wasn’t quite sure what to say or even know if the bereaved family wanted me there.  I’m sure other people might be different, but I will say this: as tough as it was to get through those days, seeing everyone that came helped me.  Even if you had nothing to say, it was ok.  It meant so much to me that you came.  You might have thought that it was such a small thing to do (which is what I’ve felt in the past), but it wasn’t.  You may have thought that you were just one person in a room of 200, but you weren’t.  I needed the support of each and every one of you, and it’s definitely changed the way that I view memorial services.  Please remember this in the future when other people in your life experience tragedy and you’re not sure whether or not they need the support of your presence. 

Thanks to everyone who took the time to send me a note of condolence.  Whether it was simply a signed card, a text, a facebook post/message, or a thoughtful handwritten note, again, I truly appreciate it.  I especially liked reading some of the notes about the ways that you will remember Megan and how she impacted you.  I’ve been meaning to respond to each of you individually, but I’m not sure when I’ll get around to that.  So thank you.

Thanks to everyone who has offered support that goes above and beyond.  This includes family, our local friends, Megan’s coworkers at Covance, and several others.  I know that I’m not the easiest person to provide assistance to, as I’m a pretty private and independent person.  But knowing that there are people there to help when I need it provides a level of comfort and support that allows me to feel stronger.

And thanks to everyone who made a donation to Can’t Stomach Cancer in Megan’s memory.  You donated over $25,000.  That’s unbelievable.  It’s a testament to the strength inherent in the network of family and friends that surrounded Megan.  I talked for 90 minutes with the founder of Can’t Stomach Cancer this week, and in the future I will be providing more information about what they are doing to help raise awareness, provide patient support, and generate funding for research.  But know that you have already begun making a difference for others fighting a disease that provides little opportunity for hope.