Hi Friends and Family,

DeVawn asked me to share this letter update from the Bollinger family:

Blessings of this glorious season to you all!  Here’s a quick look back at 2018 for our family.

The beginning of the year found our family in good health and looking forward to the joys of a new year. DeVawn was spending her next 6 months working for the school district and Bill was entering his 6th year at Costco. Our son Bill was starting another year with his employer, Clifton Larson Allen in Minneapolis and our daughter April was joyfully taking on the role of step mom to 2 wonderful children back here in Brainerd. As the year progressed to June, DeVawn happily retired from the district where she spent 22 fulfilled years as a special education assistant. The family hosted a wonderful retirement party June 6th,  that many family and friends attended. Herein lays a heartfelt thank you to those of you who came and celebrated this joyous event!

Only days afterward we heard news that stopped us in our tracks. Our son Bill, had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. The months to come were filled with many emotions and time spent with him while he underwent surgery and chemo to fight cancer. So many came to our son’s rescue, as well as ours, helping in numerous ways. Special thanks to our niece Leilani for creating the Caring Bridge and GoFundMe page and to all of you who so generously contributed to help with the many expenses he couldn’t have otherwise met. Many also donated locally which went to pay phone and car insurance on his behalf. I know I speak for all of the family when I say how thankful and grateful we are to all of you. Not to mention the wonderful people lifting us all up in prayers and positive thoughts. We know the worst of times brings out the best in loving people as yourselves!

Bill rang the bell on September 20th and even though he has many appointments over the next 5 years, we are encouraged by all his medical staff that he is cured!! He has returned to work and is doing well at the time of this letter. His sister April made many trips to the cities to spend time with her brother and helped keep the home fires burning back here when her dad and I couldn’t be here.

Now another school year has begun and our grandson has started Kindergarten and our granddaughter has started pre-school. Which means, Grandma Dee gets to enjoy the fun times at school, volunteering. Although I’m also back subbing a little too. Grandpa Bill still works during the school day but enjoys time spent with them out of school.

Now our daughter is preparing to move into a larger home with her family. Staying in the Brainerd area and enjoying family life! The future's looking brighter daily as we come to a close of this year. We wanted to take this time to say a very heartfelt thank you from all of us. Our prayer is that you all have a year filled with God’s grace and mercy in 2019.

May happiness and kindness fill your year to come!

Bill and DeVawn