The generosity of people on Bainbridge Island, WA

The following is a letter to the editor of the Bainbridge Review:

Cancer benefit proves to be a huge success – On March 19 at Grace Church, over 400 people gathered to share hope.  Bill and I were so thankful that such a large circle of friends and community gathered to raise money and awareness for brain cancer research and treatment.

At last count, our donations exceeded $100,000 and were still climbing! We were astounded and so proud of everyone’s efforts to raise this much money for Dr. Jim Olson’s lab.  The energy and the love present among all those heroes at Grace that night was palpable.

Special thanks go to our speakers who spoke of hope and heroes: mountaineer Ed Viesturs, brain cancer survivor Cheryl Broyles, and Dr. Olson, pediatric oncologist/researcher, whose lab in Seattle ws the benefactor of Hannah’s Hopefull Hearts. Bill Harper of Grace Church moderated the evening’s program while John Kaminski ran the successful paddle call for donations.

We were very grateful to these local businesses and individuals who sponsored HHH, enabling us to host such a wonderful evening: caterer Sharilyn Nodsle of Seasons of Thyme Catering, Grace Church, the Wilson family, the Helm-Pitinga family, Town & Country Market, Bainbridge Bakers, My Kids’ Cookies, Pegasus Coffee, BI Taxi, cycling instructor Kathi McMahon and Island Fitness, and Connie Mears of The Bainbridge Review.

For two and a half years, since our daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, we have been deeply touched by countless acts of kindess and love towards our family.  Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts provided an even bigger way for friends and community to give in a way which will go directly to the fight against childhood cancer at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Olson Lab.

Even though brain cancer has been our family’s worst nightmare, we are blessed to live on an island where love and compassion are alive and well, giving an 11-year old girl and her family HOPE.

With deep gratitude, Hannah, Andrew, Ryan, Adam, Alexis, Reba and Bill Hunt

The kindness and generosity of people is amazing.

Read Full Post »

Drivers Ed

My daughter turned 15 last month.  This means that in the State of Washington she can get an instruction permit, take drivers ed and, theoretically, she can be driving before she’s 16.

The local driving school happens to be right down the hall from my cookie shop.  This proximity has my daughter regularly asking when I’m going to sign her up for drivers ed.  My response continues to be the following:  when you find out the details (when it’s given, how much it will cost, how do you sign up, how do you get the instructional permit, how will you pay for it, etc.) then we’ll talk.

My thoughts on this are pretty straightforward.  If a teenager (my child) wants to be allowed to drive, which brings with it a huge amount of responsibility, then they need to be responsible enough to find out how to go about it.  If they’re not going to do the leg work, then your legs are what they’ll be using since they won’t be driving.

Other than the several hundred dollars that the class will cost, you have to factor in the increase in your auto insurance premiums.  And, don’t forget to add in the cost to regularly color your hair because getting behind the wheel with a teenager whose learning to drive will most definitely hasten the onset of gray hair.  See my thoughts on the gray hair issue in my blog of on WorkingMother.com at http://workingmother.com/web?service=direct/1/ViewBlogLandingPage/dlinkBlog&sp=S1378

But I think the main reason, if I’m honest with myself, that I’m not ready for her to drive is that it reminds me that she’s growing up.  And I’ll postpone the inevitable as long as I can.

Read Full Post »

A Children’s Safety Tool

It’s sad that sites like this have to exist – http://www.familywatchdog.us/Search.asp.  By entering your zip code, you can find out about registered sex offenders in your neighborhood and town.  Be safe rather than sorry.

Read Full Post »