Yes, July 14th is Bastille Day. It is also the day we celebrate Walt's (my favorite father-in-law and favorite insurance agent) heart transplant anniversary. This year was the BIG 20th celebration: a monumental feat for not only a transplant recipient, but one who received a transplant when he was fifty (not a young whipper snapper).
A luncheon, family and friends from far and wide, and Walt with a microphone can only lead to good times. I was reminded, this day, how wonderful it is to have a family that loves each other, doesn't fight over petty issues, stays strong when faced with challenges, and remembers to laugh and enjoy the time we are given. Walt's strength and health, in the face of adversity, is challenged regularly. But with his faith, the strength and love of Suz (my favorite mom-in-law), his children and family, he has endured through many physical issues. Walt has lived an amazing, long life thanks to a very special individual who became an organ donor. We are incredibly lucky to have Walt and treasure each moment he has during his time with us.
This was a happy day.
July 15th I said goodbye to someone I called my cousin and my friend, Katie Moritz. Katie died of leukemia at the age of 31. She was surrounded by her dear family and friends. Her wake was in the same room as my dad's wake, so I could barely make it to the stairs leading into the room without losing it. Katie's dad, Bob, was in my parent's wedding. Bob was also one of my dad's pall-bearers. When my dad's parents died while he was in high school, Bob, his best friend, and Bob's family took him in. He had no family within 700 miles and no one to take care of him. The Moritz family stepped up.
While I wasn't close to Katie - in fact I was distant, I recalled many of our shared moments when we were children playing at Rombachs Farm, swimming in a kiddie pool and slip n' sliding in our backyard, taking a walk after our Grandma Helen Moritz's funeral.... Once we moved away from Ballwin and my parents divorced, we no longer saw each other.
I regret that I didn't have more time with her. Katie was the same age as my sister, Erika. I am the same age as Katie's sister, Sarah. She was too young. Life is not fair and it never will be, so how can we change this?
This was a sad day.
These are the thoughts that reverberated through me the past few weeks...
1. Be an organ donor. Sign up today if you haven't already done so.
2. We need more science and math education. Come on parents, 99.9% of kids will not be a movie star, a rock star, or president. Teach them to do more, be better, and give back.
3. Many types of cancer research exists. We all have different diseases we support. Here is why we should support cancer research and stem cell research above all other medical research. (I'm not saying we should stop supporting other research. It is all invaluable).
4. $49.5 Billion was spent in 2011 on research and development in the U.S. We spent almost half that much on bottled water in the U.S. in 2011, coming in at $21.7 Billion. The unfortunate truth is that science and politics go hand in hand. Take action. Write your policy/law makers today and ask for more funding. The fact is, most research is short-term. We need more long-term, big idea grants awarded to those who are willing to take risks and discover new possibilities.
5. Take time to be with family and friends. Remember birthdays. Be generous with your time and your listening. Show up. Reach out.
Do more, be better, give back, and stop drinking bottled water.
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