Cousin Visit

Spike and Peggy blessed me with an overnight visit following her visit with Dr. Morgan, a local oncologist.  Peggy has cancer!  But, I've never known a more faith-filled, cheerful, optimistic person who faces weeks of chemotherapy.  She's been through radiation and surgery already and now the precaution of oral chemo!  We talked a bit about her diagnosis and prognosis, but mostly about family, faith, and Grandma Kopczynski.  

My brother, Larry, asked me recently about our grandparents home because he was born too late to ever enjoy the Christmas gatherings, around the piano!  Peggy could describe each room and the furniture!  And we giggled recalling the memory of curious girl cousins walking throughout the house noticing if any of our aunts might be pregnant.    We remember Uncle John's fruitcake and of Tom and Jerry Batter.  The gatherings were noisy and often the Uncles argued and debated politics and religion, while the aunts shared recipes and reminded the kids to behave themselves.

Peggy walked around my home, noticing photos and mementos.  

This treasure hangs in my bedroom during the winter.  At one time it graced the Reed's living room walls.  Peggy believes the pictures on my other bedroom wall once hung in Grandma and Grandpa Kopczynski's bedroom.  No wonder I feel so blessed and peaceful every night!

We talked about Father Andy and the memories of attending the University of Idaho

Peggy was thrilled to get a Tree of Hope because they don't have a tree or any Christmas decorations at their home in Grangeville.  They've spent most Christmases recently in their winter home in Arizona.  I enjoyed their tales of working at Wal-Mart, wondering how they were physically and mentally able to do that.  Spike put bikes together and Peggy worked as a cashier.  She said her supervisor insisted she try to sell a credit card to every customer.  Some things were hard working there, but she felt rewarded when customers would say, "we waited in your line because you are always so nice to us."  We shared the challenge of volunteering for St. Vincent dePaul and how difficult it is to work with a bunch of volunteers, especially those of us who want to do it our way.

I've been reflecting all day, since they left, on how they've lived their lives...caring for orphans and the poor, managing golf courses, volunteering at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, living in a camper-van, opting out of Medicare supplemental insurance, traveling to ElSalvador and Barcelona, and dipping into their savings to help their children.  I don't know anyone who I admire more than these two!  Tonight I'm asking special blessings on both of them and also prayers of gratitude for the way they've blessed my life.