Happy 21^st Birthday Becca!!!

This is the big one for you today. If you were here, this day would be so different….for everyone. It will be 11 years since you have been gone. This is always a difficult day for all of us. As I sit here and reflect, there are so many things you have missed out on. I could go on and on…but life moves on. I want to catch everyone up on the family. Doug is still plumbing, and Dawn is still nursing. We are in our 29^th year over here in Marshfield working and living. Dawn is still working at Mid-State teaching her students as well. Erica has moved to the Madison area and is working as a Capital Campaign Manager for The Salvation Army. She has a big job to do but also does a lot of fun fundraising things. She graduated from UWSP with her Master’s degree in Community Leadership and Development in December.  Alyssa has joined the Madison area as well. She graduated from UWSP in December as well with a degree in Communication. She is working for the city of Fitchburg in the assessing department. She has received her certification and continues learning on the job. Yes, we had two graduation ceremonies that we had to attend in December on the same day. That was quite the proud day for us parents. Ryan will be graduating from High School in May. He will be going to the Madison area as well. He plans on attending Madison College for a degree in Architectural technology. So all of our little birdies will be in that area.  Mom might be moving to Madison….Doug says…ah no. He is attached to his hunting land.

Some things that happened this year….Dawn lost her fingerprint necklace of Becca. I was at a hotel and either laid it on the bed or on the bathroom vanity.  I called right away, and they stated, nope…couldn’t find it. What do you mean???   I was devasted. However, I was able to call the company Thumbies, and they sent a replacement to me. I also received a silver necklace from my mom at Christmas, so I was able to put the pendant on the necklace. Now I have a necklace that has a double meaning.

 Our family also lost someone that was very important to us. Mrs. Schwalbach was Becca’s 3^rd grade teacher when she was hospitalized and diagnosed with cancer. Mrs. Schwalbach was also a cancer survivor. Shortly after Becca was hospitalized for her stroke, she visited us at the hospital. That was so meaningful. She also was a huge support when Becca went to St. Jude’s. She was her teacher, so we were in communication about schoolwork, but so much more. She allowed Becca to connect with her classmates via Skype. She was able to discuss cancer and what that meant to the students. She was a big support. She also offered for Becca to come to her place and ride Checkers, the pony. She explained that this would work on her core strength and her getting her strength back. We took her up on that…and what an amazing opportunity. Becca loved Checkers. Mrs. Schwalbach said that Checker behaved very well for Becca; she had great control over the pony, and he could read her. Ryan was a great sport. He came to every riding session and never asked to have a chance to ride. He knew this was for Becca. After Becca passed, Mrs. Schwalbach gave Ryan the chance. He joined 4H and rode and showed Checkers. He loved it. These were opportunities that she offered my children and our family, and we could not be more thankful. Mrs. Schwalbach passed away on Feb 18^th, 2021, just after Becca’s birthday last year. We were devasted. We were shocked. Someone that made such an impact on our family was gone. But I thought of them together with Checkers. That made me smile, but still very sad.

We received our ornament for Christmas this year. I just want to thank whoever sends that. Our family looks forward to it every year. We get excited in anticipation and wonder if it will come again. We do not know who it is, but it does give us joy every year. Just to remind everyone, we have received an ornament, usually pink, every year since Becca has passed. Her tree shines brightly with all of her ornaments every year.  

We go on every day, but sometimes, things catch off off-guard in a good way. Alyssa was getting a new phone, and the guy that was helping her asked if she was Becca’s sister. Alyssa was surprised as she said yes. He said that he was Becca’s classmate, and he could see a resemblance in her eyes. Wow, Alyssa was surprised. She said it is not very often she gets asked if she is Becca’s sister, but it felt good. It’s the little things that make such a big impact on us.

Just recently, within the last several years, I have been able to share Becca’s story a little more in my teachings. I share from a mom’s perspective, a nurse perspective and Becca’s perspective. It gives me goosebumps when I talk about some things, but that is just a reminder that she is with me.

I still remember the day so vividly. Becca was laying on the couch and a St. Jude’s commercial came on. We were getting treatment at St. Jude’s but we were home at the time. She watched the commercial, looked at me and stated, “I hope I make it through.” Even at her young age, she knew. We talked about it a little, but she did not want to say too much. I think she was trying to protect me. She did not want to make me sad. Oh, to give her one more hug. To hear her voice again. To see what she would look like. To see what she would be doing. The what ifs, the whys and the wishes….Here’s to another Birthday in Heaven Becca.

Love, Becca’s Mom