Mark writing:  If you are reading this, you really cared about Cindy.  Such care from people like you is what our family is thankful for this Thanksgiving.  

At this year's 2021 Thanksgiving dinner in Laramie, I remembered how last Thanksgiving in 2020 I had begun our family's tradition of having each person at the table share one thing for which they are thankful.  To my right was Cindy and having begun with her for many years, I asked her to begin.  She said, "This year, I am just thankful to be alive."  Spoken with surprising truth, these words grabbed everyone at the table then. 

For the next six months, we watched Cindy meet her challenge of fighting cancer with calm poise. We were privileged to support Cindy in her home and in hospitals during her fight. 

At the family's Thanksgiving dinner in Laramie this year, I began the family tradition of giving thanks and looked at Cindy's two youngest daughters, Angela and Rachel, and their families.  The adults in these two families had served as Cindy's primary in-home care team with me.  "It might sound surprising," I said. "But I would say that everyone here appreciates each other more than we did last year."  All nodded together in agreement.  For this new appreciation, I am thankful this year.  Cancer did not shred the fabric of our family.  Somehow, we became stronger - as evidenced by our deeper appreciation of each other today.  

The Friday after Thanksgiving this year, the Rocky Mountain Petersons visited Cindy's grave to wrap her angel's wings in gold (the  color representing heaven).  We shared Bible verses about "renewal" that Cindy knew and journaled about over the years.  For example, Isaiah 40:31 "But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will mount up on wings like eagles.  They shall run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint."  

We then drove two minutes to the UW Tennis Center where a new memorial bench for Cindy had been placed.  We shared one thing about Cindy for which we have gratitude.  Angela thanked Cindy for being a teacher to her girls.  Rachel thanked Cindy for nurturing music in her girls.  Brock thanked Cindy for her winsome manner.  James thanked Cindy for showing how to thrive in the midst of suffering. I thanked Cindy for being someone with whom I enjoyed sharing life for more than 36 years. 

The Cindy Peterson Cowgirl Up! Fund purchased the bench.  Thank you, faithful donors.  The Cowgirl Up! story continues.  :-)