Hope For a Friend That Has Meant So Much

Many of my friends know I like to write and with the encouragement of my former boss I began to blog for a local city where I teach, as well as my own site. I have learned over the years that I sometimes struggle what to write when it involves those that I love or care about.

Case in point: For a significant part of my teaching career I had the most amazing teacher's aide. Her name was Linda Banwell.

I met her when my eldest daughter, Morgan, was in kindergarten. Morgan was an energetic creative kindergartner and Linda embraced my daughter into the world of formal education in a way that was loving, accepting and encouraging. The next year I was added into her fold as well as I ended up team-teaching and Linda became my teacher's aide too.

Throughout the years Linda worked alongside me as I taught kindergarten, second, third and fifth grade. She grew to know and love all three of my children and was a huge support as my youngest daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. Throughout my day I would have to momentarily stop, prick her little seven-year-old finger, measure the insulin, and administer her shot. This occurred on a daily basis at least three times during the school day, more if her blood sugars were abnormally high.

Linda would keep the students in the classroom on task during these short pauses. She was with me soon after I had returned to school after an ablation procedure for my heart. I was afraid to take time off as I was a new teacher and did not want to miss school (dumb, I realize now, I know).

She was with me as I began the painful process of divorce about ten years later. During this time period I chose to ignore the divorce factor while enclosed within the four walls of my classroom which became my educational safe-haven. I could be a teacher first and forget about the unpleasantness and painful process while concentrating on the curriculum, children and my grade-level team's responsibilities. She was with me for the better part of my career at Vista Grande Elementary School in Danville. When Linda retired, I was asked to speak. Normally I relish such a task.

How was my talk about Linda? I'd say I choked. I could not put into words how truly wonderful and amazing and bright and talented this woman was to me and for all of the hundreds of children she worked with over the years. I feel I failed.

Describing the second week of training for the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon and raising monies for The Brain Aneurysm Foundation'sTeamCindy has also proven to be especially difficult.

Why?

It's because something terrible has occurred. Sadly, this week, the devastation of a ruptured brain aneurysm has struck again. I won't give any further details at this time as it is not my story to tell. However, I will say this, 1 in 50 people experience brain aneurysms. From there, the statistics are grim.

But there is hope and there are miracles. In fact, one such person is a member of my race club. She is a (running) miracle. She is, to me, amazing.

And there is more good to describe. In a little over two weeks, we have raised $2,640, nearly 25% toward our collective goal to raise $10,000. I am both touched and amazed at the generosity of people. There are many members of Anamarie Neveau's family on the list of donors. It is a testimony to their love for Anamarie and her story and her legacy. There are members of the Forward Motion Race Club, my running coach, my friends and family and people and companies I do not even know.

I've received notes and comments on the San Ramon Patch blog, my Facebook page, the fundraising site and personal emails. The support has been overwhelming. Many of the donators have friends or family members who have died or suffered from having a brain aneurysm.

As far as my training, it's been spotty. I have gotten a good start, though the swimming won't begin until this weekend or next Monday. I've struggled through a few of my runs and bike rides but overall I can't complain. I feel, as my friend has said, running is a privilege. I would add bicycling and swimming to that list too. Especially when I think of Anamarie Neveau. And Cindy Sherwin, of TeamCindy .

Cindy Sherwin was an amazing woman by all accounts (Link to Cindy's story here). She was a triathlete who died from a ruptured brain aneurysm nearly five years ago while riding her bike. As a way of dealing with her grief and to raise money for The Brain Aneurysm Foundation, Cindy's mother, Elaine Roberts Schaller, helped found Team Cindy. Several events are held throughout the year while athletes compete and raise money to spread awareness, support and research funding to reduce brain aneurysm ruptures.

This past week I also read Elaine Roberts Schaller's book entitled, "Dear Cindy, Love Mom" (link for the book). It is a book filled with letters that Elaine wrote to her daughter after her death. I found this book to be a source of comfort and think it would be a good resource for anyone dealing with loss or grief. I found Elaine's vulnerability of both her agony and grief heroic, though I imagine she would cringe at that statement. Her fight to try to do good for others through her work with the BAF and TeamCindy, her book and more, is inspiring.

This week, I am hoping for another miracle. Though the person's name is not mentioned, the hope is very real. And there are a lot of other people hoping and praying for a miracle too.

Together we can make a difference.

Please donate.

BAFTeamCindyKathyDillingham

To read this on my blog, go to: 

http://ihaveastorytotell-cottageplease.blogspot.com/