Laura
Decked out
yesterday morning
48 degrees in Florida
and when we drove 20 minutes
it was
47 in Oldsmar!
WE' BUSTED SUDS at
"STEAK N SHAKE"
TO
WASHOUT
MS
ONCE AND FOR ALL
WE WANT THE CURE
NOW
Good morning morning and
Happy MONDAY
yep I said it
HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!
It's time to dance on desks, like my friend
Joey Graff says~
time to get your
attitude of gratitude on
RIGHT HERE
RIGHT NOW!
How bout' that Laura in her poncho?
Quite spectacular don't ya think?
We thought so... it was a remarkable day
in oh so many ways.
There were so many moments that
literally took our breaths away...
They might just bring a tear or twenty to your eyes, so better get your kleeenex ready just in case!
I know that you want to know all
so
I'll just take the time to tell ya
while hoping with all HOPE
that you will
dig in your pocket in these
uncertain and hard times
finding your coins from that jar
and
contribute to
MS
helping us to
raise some more dough
for
MS research and end this disease!
drop her a note and ask how and who to make that check out to!
Of all the days ... it was 48 degrees yesterday morning when we ventured out after a week of "in bed" misery of the "bug"
Off to wash cars? How crazy is that I ask...
So, on the way to
Steak n Shake we did notice an automated car wash
where for four quarters you could get your car washed with one of those wand things.
Thinking ... I asked my cohort in crime didn't she think it a grand idea, if while folks gave their contribution to the cause and their keys... they could be eating in the
Steak N Shake
and we could take a quick ride to that car wash
deposit 4 quarters
have the car done
and be back
before you know it!
No need to get wet, no need to kill ourselves or
catch pneumonia!
hahaha
Yep, we all thought it brilliant,
until realizing
folks are not real keen to parting with their keys!
Most preferring to watch 4 or 5 grown ups' break their backs while freezing and washing their cars,
while smiling
like cheshire cats.
Dratz, it could have been a fabulous idea!
I was intially amazed upon arriving at ye olde
Steak N Shake that the temperature had
actually dropped a degree!
Oldsmar
47 degrees
OK, need to talk to Andrea about the weather
as soon as she arrives was my first thought to self!
Must have her
"spirit talk to Jaren,we must have it warmer than this"!
Yep that was my thinkin as I was putting the
"butt warmer" on in the car!
{OK Jaren, listen.. can ya make it sunny and bring on the heat kiddo from the other side,
I KNOW you hang out here alot... so ... let's get busy ok?}
Meanwhile as we prepared for an
OUTSTANDING
day, Shauna was out there in
Texas
having her first training day on that
bike of hers
So
she and Laura were texting
their love
and
good luck to each other.
Now this mornings
page
is
filled with some remarkable blessings,
so do not get lost.
Pay attention, and you too will receive some amazing gifts of the possibilities
of
the many and tremendous
"gifts"
from here and
the other side
and
the
amazing grace that is yours
that can be
rejoiced
within self and
a community of caring.
Those who have read
Healing Heartaches,
will know and remember
Jaren and her Mom.
It was Andrea;
Jaren's Mom
who secured
Steak N Shake for this
car wash for MS
She is a fabulous woman who has walked a
trail of tears that began when her precious child,
Jaren died suddenly and tragically in a faulty car roll-over
on
07-07-07
Stay with me here.
Wash Out MS
Car wash
11-07
Dorothy & I arrived at Steak N Shake
at
7:43 AM notice (7) and 4+3 = ? (7)
In the morning as we were setting up,
Andrea arrived, {making a fantastic and shocking entrance, that got our attention I might add) WINK WINK ~
and a joyous reunion was had by all
as
we all caught up
learned that she was leaving soon to go UP
to New England for a week to see her beloved Dad
who has been quite ill
and
now recovering
along with her family and friends there!
STOMP!
Andrea managed to even get us a few volunteers to assist in holding up signs announcing the car wash;
Laura's mom and Dad arrived to have their car washed
and
then to pitch in to help us.
All of a sudden
we looked to see
Chris Vitale
drive up!
Chris is a Warrior of this page
a
Breast Cancer Survivor
who has recently returned from her trip to NY
her first check up since a double mastectomy
and
she is
CANCER FREE
STOMP
We hugged, laughed and
caught up! She's waiting to buy a new computer since hers "blew up" she says, and will then re-join the warriors here on this page. She sends her love to all!
And
Chris washed cars; along with our new friends/volunteers,
Andrea bringing us coffee/water and being sure we were
A-OK
AND
We looked up to see
Jean Limongello pull up
in a 3 month old new car
with
500 miles on it
shining like when the sun hits a diamond
and
she wanted us to wash it!
Giving us a crisp $20 for our efforts ~
Jean is a retired hospice nurse
of
25 (2+5= 7)years
and I proudly call her my friend.
I introduce Jean to Andrea:
[It went like this]
"Andrea, I've been wanting you to meet my friend Jean Limongello. Jean is the
Chapter President of
The Compassionate Friends
Organization.
The group I told you of for parents, grandparents, siblings of those who have had a child who has died in New Port Richey.
Jean's beloved son Duke was murdered in Vegas,
and the trial keeps getting postponed. She is the one you send the photo of Jaren to for the
COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS
WORLD WIDE CANDLE LIGHTING
DECEMBER 12, 2010
7 PM (notice the time of the world wide candle lighting)
(to submit a photo of your child in the area and inquire about the directions/attending)
and then:
"Jean, this is Andrea, she is the Mom of Jaren who died on
07--07-07
in a horrific car accident.
You read about her in
Healing Heartaches."
During this introduction, Jean's car was being washed.
After this introduction;
they exchanged hugs, and spoke as two women who shared a bond or were members of a secret society, each having "the look" that only those who have walked that walk know so intimately.
Andrea will submit a photo of Jaren;
Jean will look for the email, will hug the many that walk through that door
on
12-12
around 6:15 that special evening of remembrance
of
precious children from the littliest to
those who were grown but
all
gone to soon.
BUT
this year
It will be held on Jean's beloved Dukes' birthday.
It will be yet another layer of an anniversary of
painful loveliness along a journey that is arduous
and at times
dark,
sometimes filled with the laughter of memories
but through the rough, the good, the tears and time
support
belief
and
great care
the flame has continued to burn brightly
with
HOPE
But, yesterday two women met at a car wash, being held to wash out MS
where Jean knew Laura from hospice... Laura having worked at hospice for 17 years now, a warrior with MS.
Jean coming to provide support to Laura,
meeting Andrea a woman who has lost a daughter tragically, connecting providing and receiving support ...
mother to mother both adjusting to the light
differently than ever before
brought together
by giving to "other"
and
stepping outside of "self"
receving so much
to feed the fire that
will allow the light to burn brighter
within.
and
in those precious moments
we had the ultimate connections
of greater purpose
of connections
of community
Jaren Gasse
Jaren was a force to be reckoned with while here,
a free spirit, a loving child, sister, and friend.
and
she still is here with a strong presence differently now, but is a force to be reckoned with
in the Next Place too!
A powerful spirit
filled with light, love and tremendous energy
as she lets her Mom and others know
she is but a heart beat away
often
oh so very often
in remarkable, brilliant and effervescent ways
always and all days
and
11-07 at the car wash
her presence was felt all day long!
Well
you know how there is always
"one in every crowd"?
Well the car wash was no exception to that rule.
There was a Mr.
"Joe flash cool" who drove up in his 7 foot tall
Black SUV
I don't even know what kind it was
but
trust me when I tell you
IT WAS HUGE...
PLAIN OUT HUGE
AND
I COULD HARDLY REACH THE TOP OF THE DRIVERS WINDOW.
So, Mister "too cool for words" hops down out of the truck wanting to get it washed and to
SUPPORT OUR MS FUN-RAISER
while whining like a puppy of the cold
in his "too cool shorts" drinking his
Starbucks coffee and watching us ...
WE, All in Warrior mode, we took on his
"Too cool gas guzzling SUV" and his cool self
with our great fun attitudes!
I even engaged him and his sneezing fit self and whining. We kidded him about being "cold and wearing his shorts, blessing him with each of his little sneezes; poor baby that he was."
Blessing him more than 10 times I am sure, just me alone. Now that was just spiffy of me don't ya think?
So
much later as we are done making that "huge thing" shine for "Mr Little Cool - the whine machine"
I go to collect the dough, while my fellow warriors were hanging the wet towels, and going to the next vehicle waiting.
He hands me a
$20.
I say
"thanks for supporting MS
and
helping us raise money for research!
HE SAYS:
" I need change"
ehem
"Excuse me?"
"I need change" he says!
I say:
"OK need $5?"\
He SAYS:
" You wish, I need $15!!!"
Incredulous,
I say
"Are you kidding me?"
So I give him $15 and say:
"Thanks for helping to find
a cure
for
MS."
(I'm still thinkin' are ya kiddin me here") as I watch, and bid so long to:
"LittleMan Joe Cool" climbs up in the big SUV
and
happily and most merrily drives away
while
I am still standing and shaking my head
ARE YOU
KIDDING ME?
haha
There is always "ONE" in every crowd.
[Bet Jaren has a ball with him and that big ole truck finds a mud hole soon] LOL
Right afterwards, a lady drives up in a little bitty car
that is already clean
gets it washed
gives me$ rolled up in my hand.
Right afterwards, with a most serious expression... she asks,
"Who is Ms. Cure and why are you raising money?"
I was dumbfounded when it really hit me she what she was asking!!!
She thought we were raising money
for a lady, Ms. Cure
and just wanted to meet her and know a bit about "her"...
Trying hard to not laugh, and not choke...
I explained,
after getting my breath,
"See that funny looking woman there that looks like a banana in that poncho?" She said, "yes?"
I said, "Well that is Laura, and she is the face of MS, multiple schlerois, and today we are doing this car wash in her honor raising money for
MS
for research to find a cure for
MS!"
With that she burst out laughing and said,
"Aren't I silly? I thought is was someone named
Ms. Cure! Wow! I'm even more glad I stopped now
I know a few people with MS, so I think this is great
and
Laura looks fantastic. Glad to help!"
So when she left, I looked at the money she gave me
$27 rolled up
The little man in the big truck just disappeared from my thoughts after that!
Isn't that a great story? I kinda like it that
Laura is now "Ms Cure", I like it alot!
I feel sure Jaren sent her
to remind us of the reason we were there
and
to restore HOPE
and to balance
the
Little man
with the
big TRUCK
and
then
I hear and see someone you all know!
Here comes
Irene/ICESCREAM/FIRM from this page
with her friend from Jersey
Dolly~
They drove all the way From Siesta Key
just to encourage, to hug everyone
and
to join in our community of
care
of support
and
loving connections.
NO
car wash
just cash from both of them
and
laughs and pictures, and more laughs and hugs.
With Andrea checking on us,
sharing a story or 7
and
her staff coming out long enough for a car wash.
Her friend
Julie bringing her children to hold signs
to help, Julie herself joining in our
family of choice
bonding quite well
as
if we had all travelled similar paths before;
must be that pass of loss I'm thinking.
She too appears to be a warrior of great strength.
Seems many have had a story of loss during the day.
Julie stood on the corner with signs and in a poncho like Lauras' for hours on Tampa Road, beckoning.
Only later to return with her car to be washed.
It was then I found out she had worked until 4:00AM and had returned just hours later to help and was due back to work in the afternoon. She had gone without much needed sleep just to help US!
But then,
she returned again
with yet another vehicle for us to wash!
Each time with goodness in her heart
and cash in her hand.
THank you Julie, and your children for the kindness, compassion and joy. She is a great friend of Andrea.
So at the end of it all
We hear from Shauna out there in Texas
and her first day of training on that bike of hers
for the April
MS150 she will be riding in.
TODAY
SHE RODE
77 MILES
Are you paying attention now?
We are counting money:
We made:
$377.
(noticing anything yet?)
There was
.43 in change 4+3= ___ (7)
There was:
(7) 10 dollar bills
(7) 1 dollar bills
Getting cold chills/messages of anything???
Hello?
Are you feeling me here!~
It started out in
Oldsmar when we arrived at
Steak N Shake
at
47 Degrees
After the hysterical laughter upon these discoveries and
sharing all with Andrea
who
said
she had asked Jaren to make this day a success
and good weather, as she "whipped that car of hers into the parking space she was listening to
"Somewhere Over The Rainbow"
the special version that played at Jaren's service
A daily ritual for her on her way to work! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xsrhH3Hh8E&feature=more_related
Perhaps this fueled the success of the day!
we were all laughing and crying so much
I googled the weather
in
Oldsmar FL
and Laura and I both said,
"I will bet ya anything it is 67 degrees now, wouldn't that just be the insane and
really put the icing on the cake?"
After looking at each other and with others around the table,
and intense gratitude of all that had happened
during that special day
we almost screamed for
Andrea in the restaurant
as
she came to us grinning and wondering why we were laughing like crazy;
we showed her our find
on the phone
OLDSMAR FL, currently ... 67 DEGREES
HIGH for SUNDAY... 75
And
as I told you
Laura's brother works for
Home Depot
and
they are matching funds for
MS
that he receives
so
$377x2= 754 (see the 7) 7+5=12+4=[16]
1+6
=
[7]
Oh my... with amazing grace
I am telling you now
we were crazed, we were blessed!
STOMP
Have a day filled with joy, with peace
with goodness
and please
do not
block the blessings
The fire is burning brightly, the embers are HOT
sending thanks
and
HOPE
and
great gratitude
on the wind to all
to all that lent their HOPE and
that helped us yesterday,
to warriors and survivors everywhere
with the deepest desire
that the thoughts and stories found here
walk with you
and
illuminate your heart
and
lighten your spirit always and in the dark months!
Walk In Beauty
DRSES
Thank you Andrea, for all that you are
and
thank you for sharing Jaren with all of us!
STOMP
MS
you better run, you might as well just go on and leave now
WE are on you...
WE are comin on strong
AND
We will NOT fail
Laura, we are with you and 400,000 others
with this disease,
it has out stayed its welcome,
hell who are we kidding
IT HAS NEVER BEEN WELCOMED
and it is time
past time
for it to be gone.
Montel Williams is after it too
along
with the many that ride, the many that run
the many that have said
MS SUCKS
and
A CURE IS ON ITS WAY.
So today my dears,
STOMP
Stand UP
and know
We are blessed
We have each other, no one battles alone
We are together in this.
Warriors like
Laura, Shauna, Dorothy, Grandma Edith and her muffins, Mitch, Andrea, Jean, Judy, John, Julie and her kids, Emerson, Irene, Chris, Ashley, Glenda, Montel and 400,000 with this disease
and
thousands of others riding, running and researching and doctoring to restore quality of life
and control to those who are diagnosed
making sure that although they may have MS
MS does NOT have them.
Folks are
wearing their warpaint
"It's ON"
<>
