Remembering Papa D Five Years Later 4.12.20

"Daddy, I'm afraid, won't you stay a little while?
I never thought I'd see the day I had to say goodbye
Daddy, please don't go, I can't do this on my own
There's no way that I can walk this road alone
Daddy grabbed my hand and said
Just 'cause I'm leavin'
It don't mean that I won't be right by your side
When you need me
And you can't see me in the middle of the night
Just close your eyes and say a prayer
It's okay, I ain't scared
I won't be here, but I'll always be right there
Even though I'm leavin', I ain't goin' nowhere" 

~Luke Combs "Even Though I'm Leaving"

Five years ago today a person whom the adjective "special" does not do justice left this Earth and heaven gained one heck of an angel. Five years ago today I hugged Papa D goodbye, kissed his forehead, and told him I loved him one last time. At 1:23 p.m. five years ago today, my dad joined my brother, Rick, in glory.

As I've been thinking about this day as it has been approaching and reliving in my mind the memories of the final days of my dad's life, while watching cancer steal him away from me was the most horrible and heart-wrenching experience I have ever experienced in my 50 years, I am thankful it was five years ago and not today. I am thankful it was in a time where I could sit with him and hold his hand while we watched t.v. or while he rested; be there to help him and my mom; be there to enjoy what time we had left with him, to make memories, and to share "lasts" with family and friends; be there to watch Dirty Dancing with him one final time; be there by his side surrounded by family and friends as we said our final goodbyes as he took his last breath. Had that been today? Sure, I would have gotten to spend five more years with my dad but what a differently heartbreaking goodbye it would have been. No family gatherings, no lasts, no quiet moments alone, and no celebration of life service due to the ban of groups/gatherings. I sure do miss my dad and would give anything to have even just five more minutes with him but I could never imagine having deal with his final days in the current situation we are in and I am thankful God planned it the way He did.

What a blessing and honor it is that I can say I had the most amazing man for 45 years of my life to call my dad and even though I am 50 now and have lived the past five years without him and will live the rest of my days the same, I know he is with me always and I am thankful this life is not the end because I know I will see him again one day. Love you, Papa D. Until we meet again…

If you would like to learn more about Papa D and why he was so special to so many, I invite you to watch his celebration of life service here on YouTube.

 

End of a decade reflections…and thank you

Warning! Long post ahead

It's hard to believe this past weekend marked the end of a decade and the beginning of a new one. I know, age is just a number, you are only as old as you feel, 50 is the new 30, blah blah blah yada yada yada but turning the age of my parents, well that has just felt weird. After all, I remember planning and celebrating their 50th birthdays and it seemed like that was just yesterday but here I am, the one who just celebrated that mile stone and I admit I have not been all that crazy about the whole thing for the past year.

As February 28 approached this past week, I started thinking about my 40s and wow, how much happened in those “short" 10 years…

In my 40s, a lot of doors were closed but a lot of doors were opened too. Jobs ended not by choice but somehow things always seemed to manage to work their way out and I always managed to be better off, even if it meant sometimes not having a job for a time.

Friendships that I thought would last a lifetime apparently were not meant to be and sadly ended but I've been blessed with new friendships as well of those that have stood the test of time. I cherish them more than ever.

Losing my childhood home in a devastating house fire one cold December night that would have killed my parents had my dad not woken up with a leg cramp 😇 and got himself and my mom out before it was too late with literally nothing more than the clothes on their backs. But just as a phoenix rises from the ashes, my parents built their dream home where the old one stood and we gained new place to make memories.

There was cancer, there was a loss but I learned to fly from the inside and when life gets you down and when all hope feels lost, to just keep swimming 🐠 and the people who care about you and love you will be there to be your floaties. I learned how to make the moments count rather than count the moments even more and was reminded that none of us are promised are a tomorrow so live, laugh, be kind, and love like crazy.

I started to run in memory of a friend and sister and ended up finally finding I was actually kinda good at something for a change. I ended up making some pretty great friends because of running, too.

My 40s would mean the home going of my dad, Papa D, and the passing of some dear friends. More losses, unimaginable heartache. But I also gained a beautiful daughter-in-law and became a Nona to a sweet little boy, both of whom have filled my heart with such love and joy when I thought there wasn't any room left to love any more. I was reunited with family whom I spent most of my teenage/adult life without or had to walk away from because of life circumstances. A heart made even more full by these blessed reunions.

So as my 40s came to a close last week, I thought of these things and was surrounded by those who make this life worth living and helped me become the person I am today. It just so happened my last day in my 40s fell on the day I usually spend with my mom. How blessed I am to have such an amazing lady to call my mom. On Friday, Paul took the day off to spend with me and after breakfast and the gym (I had to run 5.0 miles in honor of the day, of course), we headed off to Heidelberg to get Rick who was able to come home after thinking this would be my first birthday without him here. I may not have been crazy about turning 50 but knowing I would have my kids home and all of us together was one of the best presents I could have asked for. On Saturday, I ran a cold and snowy race and even won an AG award, something I thought would be a thing of the past now that I am in a new group. Nice way to start my new decade! And later in the day, the most amazing birthday celebration to remember with those who mean the most to me (minus a few who weren't able to make it). Blessed beyond measure.

God truly is good…all the time.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the cards, gifts, texts, messages, phone calls, and Facebook posts. To know that so many people cared enough to take even just a minute out of their busy day to wish me a happy birthday reminded how truly blessed I am to have such amazing friends and family. So what started as day I wasn't really "feeling it" and not looking forward to for various reasons turned in to such an amazing day so from the bottom of my heart, thank you to each and every one who made this birthday a day to truly remember. I tried to thank you all personally so please forgive if I happened to miss your post. I had so many it was hard to keep up!

#WhenICountMyBlessingsIcountYouTwice #50IsTheNewWhat?

Loved spending the last day of my 40s with my mom. 

The cake we forgot to bring out at the party.

My family, my hearts. The best birthday present was having them all home.

12.5.19 Just Keep Swimming Seven Years Later

There are several dates in my life that I will never forget. December 5, 2012 is one of them. Today is my life-aversary, the day God decided seven years ago He wasn’t ready for me yet and I officially became a cancer survivor.

A few months ago, a friend of mine became a “sister” when she learned she too would be taking a similar road trip and asked if I would share my experience. One might think after seven years some of the thoughts, memories, emotions, and feelings would fade but they really don’t. Everything about that day and the days that followed have been forever etched in my brain and while there are some days it feels like it was a lifetime ago, there are others it feels like it was just yesterday and I am instantly taken back to those moments in time.

As I have been sharing my experience with my new sister and as I reflect on the past seven years, I am reminded of more than just the who, what, where, etc. I am reminded what a precious gift life is and how, at any moment, everything can be turned upside-down. Sharing with her reminds me to never take it for granted and make the moments count because none of us are promised a tomorrow; to have no regrets; to let those you love and care about know how much they mean to you; to live, laugh, love like crazy, be kind, have faith, never give up hope, and of course....to just keep swimming. Today I thank God for giving me another chance at life and for every single one of my “floaties,” my friends and family who help me do just that.

#sevenyearscancerfree #survivor #justkeepswimming #blessedbeyondmeasure #faithlovehope #NoOneFightsAlone

It all started with a Kris...Race for the Place 2019

Just when I thought my most important race of every year couldn’t get any better or more memorable…Oh how wrong I was. Family, friends, victories. These moments are what makes #everymileamemory and this year was the best yet. While it was much cooler for this year's Race for the Place, the course was still as mentally challenging as always (I swear this year it felt like it was just about all up hill!!) and there were many times I wanted to stop and walk, just like always, but just like always I told myself slowing down was ok but stopping was not an option because the people I was running in honor and memory of were fighting/or had fought something much tougher than 3.1 miles and THEY didn't give up so I wasn't going to either. At one point I honestly felt like I was barely moving so I thought for sure this race would be one of my slowest but that was ok. This has never been about me anyway but rather the people I run for and I am just happy to make it to the finish line for them one way or another. It ends up I didn't do as bad as I thought because when I got to the 3 mile mark and heard the time called off, I was still in the 24's and sure enough, crossed the line with an official finish of 24:49 which was only 6 seconds off from my RftP course PR. As always, no live results at this race so we had to wait until the awards to find out how we all did. Thanks to my inspirations who kept me going when I wanted to quit, I was shocked when I was awarded 2nd OA Female Survivor (5th OA in the Survivor category) but not only that, I was called up again winning 3rd in my AG. In the 5 years I have been running the RftP, I have never been able to get past that #5 spot in my AG and this year I finally made the top 3. Oh.my.gosh to say I was excited is an understatement.

But what made this year's race even more memorable is it's the first time I've had not only one of my inspirations racing "with" me (who was running his first race after prostate cancer surgery less than 10 months ago AND set a new record in the Survivor category with at time of 16:51 right out of the gate) but seeing him standing there with his family the last 0.1 of the race and giving me a high five as I was making my way towards the finish. There are no words to describe how that felt and yet another moment I will never forget. Best race ever for so many reasons. 

Thank you to everyone who supported the race that is near and dear to me for so many reasons; whether you joined in on the fun on the cold and rainy race day, supported my efforts by making a donation, or cheered us on from afar. But the biggest thanks, other than to God of course for giving me another day, goes to the ones who inspired me and got me to the finish line. You gave me hope when I didn’t have much and crossing that line and running "for you" was my biggest victory…better than any award I could ever win. Here’s to you Uncle Jr., Coach Craig, Constantin, Donna, Rachel, Theresa, and all the other warriors, the survivors, and the taken from years past. Just keep swimming.

#itsallaboutthe5s #celebratelife #racefortheplace #thegatheringplace#cancer #cancersurvivor #justkeepswimmingandrunning#celebratetgp20 #NCSD2019 #IRun4Jacob

Visit my Facebook page (no log in required) for pictures of this amazing day.

To learn more about why this race means so much to me or to make a donation, visit my personal page Joy Just Keeps Swimming...and Running Take 5.

The Race for the Place 5K and 1 Mile Walk benefitting The Gathering Place, is held every year on National Cancer Survivors Day, the first Sunday of June. I will be running this race have having my team Just Keep Swimming...and Running every year as long as the good Lord allows and I'd love for you to join me! 

Forever 23 ~ 23 years later 5.10.19

Flashback to 5.10.96 and Cleveland 90s Alternative Station 107.9 WENZ The End's D.J. Ted Kowalski… 

"We got this fax yesterday. Let me share this with you." (reading the fax) 

"Dear 107.9 The End. I would like to make a song request to be played May 10th at 10:59 a.m. if possible. I would like to request "Lightening Crashes" by Live and "Sister" by the Nixons. You see, on May 10th my brother, Rick Whitcomb, would have turned 24 years old but on January 19, 1996, he was murdered. His legal time of death was 10:59 [p.m.] hence the request for 10:59. He was huge fan of Live, as a matter of fact, we played "Lightening Crashes" at his funeral, and even though the song is called "Sister", the words are a perfect reminder of him. I hope I don’t sound like I should be writing this to the Casey Kasem Countdown Show I just know a lot of his friends listen to 107.9 The End and so do I and it would really mean a lot to hear one, if not both songs, in memory of his birthday. You guys are the greatest. Sincerely, his sister, Joy. 

For Rick…Live, on The End…"

At the age of 23 23 year ago, God decided He needed my brother more than we did and on a cold January night, Rick finally got to see the stars. I'll never forget writing to the radio station as his birthday was approaching and thinking the fax would just get tossed aside, only to be sitting at work (with boom box at my desk and cassette tape ready to go "just in case") and hearing the DJ start to read my fax AND play not one but both songs, too. Wow, that's all I can say. Today, in honor of what would have been his 47th birthday, I am reposting the video I created in 2011 dedicated to not only what was his 15th birthday without him, but to the friends and family who helped keep his memory alive. Even to this day, 23 years later, the impact my brother had on those who knew him and loved him can still be felt and I am thankful that while he may be gone from this Earth, he certainly is not forgotten. 

Slick Rick AKA Ace, there is not a day that goes by, even 23 years later, that I don't miss you terribly but every day without you is one day closer to being with you…I am thankful for the faith and beliefs mom and Papa D instilled in us that this life is not The End and because of God's promise, I will see your smiling face and feel one of your amazing hugs once again. Be sure to give Papa D a hug for me, ok, 'cuz I sure do miss him, too. Until we meet again…..

#4E23 #holdontomemories #itsallaboutthe5s #homefree1996 #untilwemeetagain

You can read more about my brother and a life taken way too early on the tribute page I created for him on Facebook: Home Free - In Memory of Richard G. Whitcomb, Jr.

Happy Birthday Video on You Tube

Race for the Place 2019

It's funny how after months of trying to figure out how to incorporate the amazing and completely unexpected gift of the Just Keep Swimming logo my childhood friend surprised me with this summer into my shirt to wear for my race-aversary, the Race for the Place 5K benefitting The Gathering Place on National Cancer Survivors Day, and having a mental block how I could make it happen, it just suddenly all comes together….and the timing couldn't be any more perfect. I will be running this year's race in honor of my Uncle Jr. (Walter Whitcomb), Coach Craig Nieset), and in memory of Constantin (Shannon), and Donna. Yesterday I added another special person to run in honor of, my Ragnar and "Perfect Stranger" team mate, Rachel, who recently learned she will be fighting the fight once again. The color blue has several meanings and was chosen because of each of them and because of them I will make it to the finish line.

To join my team, make a donation, or to simply learn more about why this race means so much to me, visit https://give.classy.org/joyjustkeepsswimmingandrunning2019

#itsallaboutthe5s #celebratelife #racefortheplace #thegatheringplace#cancer #cancersurvivor #justkeepswimmingandrunning #celebratetgp20#NCSD2019 #IRun4Jacob #chicagoragnar2016perfectstrangers

Just keep swimming....six years later

My very own Dory to share the love and message of my mantra

Wow… has it really been six years? There are days like it feels like it was a lifetime ago and other days it feels like it was just yesterday. Memories of that day and the days that followed forever etched in my brain. Regardless, today is my life-aversary because it's the day God decided He wasn't done with me yet and thanks to Him, my amazing medical team, and early detection I am six years cancer free. Of course, it's a little hard to be completely joyous about this occasion when I think of my friends and loved ones who are no longer here because of this dreaded disease or those who are struggling at this very moment because of it. But at the same time, those people have made me a better person in one way or another because I am blessed to have known them and it is the legacy of faith, love, hope, and kindness they have shown me that is something I can carry on in their honor and memory. Life is a precious gift and I know all too well that at any moment, everything can be turned upside-down so never take it for granted. Live, laugh, love like crazy, be kind, have faith, never give up hope, and of course....just keep swimming. Today I thank God for another chance at life and thank you, my floaties, who continue to help me to do just that. 

#sixyearscancerfree #survivor #justkeepswimming#blessedbeyondwords #faithlovehope