Dear Cousins, One of the greatest joys of genealogy is finding cousins and getting to reconnect and know one another. Sometimes you only get to know these cousins in the heart to heart way, which is how I had known my Cousin Ric Blake for many years until January when I was able to meet him, his wife Diane and their cat, Annie McSmudge in the face to face way during my trip east for the GenTech 2002 convention in Boston. (Also got to meet Cousin Isabel and her husband Dick in Maine, and our Cousin John O., in Maryland.) I have received a wonderful message from Ric this morning, and like most of his messages, it brought smiles and tears. For almost all the time I have known and loved Ric he has been battling thyroid cancer. Ric is the kind of person who lights candles rather than cursing the darkness, and makes lemonade from lemons, and so he founded THYCA, a support group for Thyroid Cancer survivors and families. Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn From: RBlake2675@aol.com Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2002 11:47:17 EDT Subject: Ric's Talks at the June 15 Relay for Life Hi Folks, I've been asked by some folks for a copy of the comments I made at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, June 14-15, 2002. For those who were with us and asked, here is a copy of what I said. For those who couldn't join us, maybe this will help make you feel you were with us for a terrific event - even the rain held off until after midnight. The best part of the evening was seeing eight thyroid cancer survivors walking the Survivors' Lap wearing ThyCa signs. For once, we were visible. :)r ______________________________________________________ Ric Blake's Comments at the OPENING CEREMONY of the Greater Lawrence (Massachusetts) Relay for Life, 6:00 p.m., June 14, 2002 ______________________________________________________ We are here to support a great mission, which is to create a future in which cancer will be unknown. We are also here to support the goals of the American Cancer Society, which has worked toward a cancer-free future since 1913. We are survivors who have watched our futures change as cancer changed our lives. We are caregivers who have watched helplessly as those we love most battle for their lives. We are medical professionals who fight against overwhelming obstacles. We are volunteers who support our friends, neighbors and colleagues. Survivor, caregiver, volunteer, researcher or healer, we are optimists who believe a few people can change the world. We believe that coming together on a day in June can save lives and that our effort will make a difference. Look at the faces around you. Many of us are here today because there were those in the past who also believed they could make a difference. And they did. Their research discovered better ways to detect and treat cancer. Their volunteer work raised money and resources to support that research. Their individual and personal battles with cancer continue to inspire and to teach us how to live our lives. We are here to change the future and to remember the past. As a cancer survivor and a caregiver and a volunteer, I am deeply honored to walk with you in Greater Lawrence's 2nd Relay for Life. Lawrence has been important to me because my two favorite jobs were here. Part of my heart will always remain here because my wife's family, the Zanfagnas, came to Lawrence from Italy 90 years ago, and without my wife's support, I wouldn't be able to be here tonight. From my heart, I thank you. ______________________________________________________ Ric's Talk at the SURVIVORS' RECEPTION, 7:30 p.m., June 14, 2002 Three Things I've Learned Since My Diagnosis #1. My Life Is Worth More Than My Kitchen If I were going to spend $10,000 to renovate our kitchen, I'd get a written estimate. If I were going to spend a few thousand dollars to repair my car, I'd get a written estimate. Why wouldn't I spend as much energy and time when it comes to my life? As an advocate for my own healthcare, I've learned to: get everything in writing keep copies of everything I get in writing ask for a treatment plan get a second opinion research options The first thing I learned was that my life is worth enough to find the best care available. #2. I've Learned to Garden in the shade. Stay out of the sun during EBR and chemo last summer. No more gardening? No, but I had to learn to garden differently, which meant to Follow the shade... and to Garden by the square yard. The second thing I learned was that I didn't have to give up my life, I just had to live it flexibly to the beat of a slower drummer. #3. My cat is my role model. I learned to live at a slower pace by watching our cat, Annie McSmudge, who will be 20 years old in August. Consider Annie's schedule: Wake up late. Stretch Eat. Drink. Pee Wash up Check the house for dogs Find a warm lap Snuggle Nap Wash up for lunch Eat Drink Pee Wash up Watch the birds Nap Wash up for dinner Eat Drink Pee Find a warm lap. Snuggle Go to bed early. The most important thing I've learned is to enjoy the moment.