Mother's Day 2013 from TEE

Reposted, with updates from 2011 in honor of my Mother

This year I ask that your take the couple of dollars 

you would spend on your Mom 

if you lost her to Cancer and stuff a kiosk or make a Convio donation.

First of all, my Mother died of ovarian cancer on a Memorial Day. It came out of nowhere. She was diagnosed on an Easter Monday. 

In addition to the cancer, she died after surgery from the complications of a heart attack and stroke. 

She was my best friend and it was the hardest lost I’ve ever taken.

I am in a leadership position in Education. 

What is one of the first things a person does when they 

or their family member has a life threatening diagnosis?

 They go and tell their boss. I can tell the the look.  

I have closed my door and cried endless tears with colleagues I know very well or hardly know at all. 

I have lived and am living through the disease with those in my organization

….and every time it goes back to the feelings I experienced with the loss of my mother.

You need to know, not everyone can do this work. Yes, it is a celebration of life, survivors and caregivers  but for many involved in the process for themselves or others, it is too new, too fresh. 

This is the compassionate aspect of the work that we do in SL and in RL. 

Be mindful of this.

This year my cousin's wife was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.

Once again it came out nowhere. It continues to be hard on my family…too new, too fresh. 

For me Relay For Life is a practice of compassion in action. 

I am very proud to be on the Harmony of Hope Team, the greatest team in SL!!!! 

This year I serve as a Coach for RFL of SL 2013 and a Committee Member IRL. 

Go Relay!!!! Go Harmony of Hope!!! We will make a difference!!!

   Tee Auster
Care Giver - Fighter - Member of Team Harmony of Hope-SL-ACS-RFL
 (¯`v´¯) 

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