I've had this post in my head for a few years now. I've been delaying and putting it off because ultimately, it's really hard to write. I'm sure it will be cathartic once it's out there, but for now the words don't flow easily.
10 years ago, January, my dad died of a brain tumour. It's one of those things that sort of snuck up on us and seemed to happen really quickly. He was diagnosed in the Fall of 1997 and by January 1999, he was gone. I don't talk about it much because really, what can you say. It sucks, but it happened and ultimately you have to grieve and just keep moving forward. I carry with me the things that he taught me and think about him often. My love of photography, cats and the skills to build a kitchen on my own are just some of those things. He wasn't here to see me buy my first house, or meet the man I married, but I carry his strength and corny jokes with me wherever I go.
While he was sick, and for a long time afterwards, my Mum got a lot of support from the folks involved with the National Brain Tumor Foundation. It was the first email list she'd ever joined and was her first connection with the friendship and help you can get from strangers on the internet. (Which may be why she doesn't think it weird that I met a lot of my friends online.)
To mark this 10th anniversary (April was his birthday month,) I wanted to do some special and give back a little. I struggled with how to go about it in a way that makes sense and allows my friends to get involved. I had a few ideas in mind that I'll put in play eventually, but for this year, I'm going to donate 10% of all the April sales of the Splityarn shop to the National Brain Tumor Society. Hopefully the donation will help another family like mine get some support when they need it.
On that note, this isn't exactly the happiest of shop updates, but there it is. The newest set of boxbags are up and there will be more to come. If you're not so much interested in buying anything and would rather just donate a few bucks, I'd love it if you did it in Bob Benna's name. Thanks for letting me fumble through this y'all, it means a lot to me.
Oh gosh, I am so sorry Caro. I had no idea.
Posted by: Bertha | April 03, 2009 at 10:21
aw, this is really great, caro. your dad sounds like he was a pretty amazing guy. i still get such a kick out of the story about his brother and him rearranging things when it was their week to run the biz. no doubt your dad raised a fabulous gal!
xoxoxo
Posted by: meg | April 03, 2009 at 10:23
it's a lovely tribute and i just love the photo of your mum and dad.
Posted by: maryse | April 03, 2009 at 10:23
What a really lovely thing to do! Go Caro!
Posted by: Jocelyn | April 03, 2009 at 10:28
These pictures are great - he looks and sounds like a really amazing person, and your fabulous smile looks a lot like his. you are doing an awesome thing! and thanks for sharing this with us.
Posted by: Carrie | April 03, 2009 at 10:39
What a touching tribute.
Posted by: beverly | April 03, 2009 at 10:45
Shoot Caro, I'm really sorry to hear about your dad. This is a really lovely thing for you to do.
Posted by: LEO | April 03, 2009 at 10:47
beautiful tribute, caro. {{{hugs}}}
Posted by: Brenda | April 03, 2009 at 11:05
YOU are a tribute to your dad, I'm sure of it.
Posted by: nancy | April 03, 2009 at 11:10
Oh, Caro, I'm so sorry. The pictures are so great- I'm glad you shared them.
Posted by: Erin | April 03, 2009 at 11:18
Such a moving post and lovely tribute to your dad. *huge hugs* And what you are doing is awesome.
Posted by: Maritza | April 03, 2009 at 11:39
What a lovely tribute, Caro. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your dad with us. You are the amazing legacy of a great man.
Posted by: elisa | April 03, 2009 at 12:13
Perhaps not the happiest, but very meaningful! This is a wonderful way to remember your father!
Posted by: grumperina | April 03, 2009 at 12:30
What a touching and lovely tribute. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Vanessa | April 03, 2009 at 12:37
Oh, Caro. What a lovely, lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing. I am actually reading this post after I snagged a couple of your box bags from the update, and am even more glad now that I know some of the proceeds are going towards such a great cause.
Posted by: Jen | April 03, 2009 at 12:49
Thanks for sharing such a personal story. I work in a brain cancer research lab, so I know first hand that these donations really help!
Posted by: Veronique | April 03, 2009 at 15:17
i love the photos that you shared with us. that photo of your dad on the boat is a great one because he looks so genuinely happy. what a truly touching post; thank you so much for sharing your story with us. happy birthday to your dad.
Posted by: mai | April 03, 2009 at 15:36
This is a wonderful tribute to your father Caro! Thank you for sharing your story.
Love the photos.
Posted by: Kirsten | April 03, 2009 at 15:41
Aw, you're parents were so handsome together. Such a sweet idea.
Posted by: Whistlepea | April 03, 2009 at 16:02
A huge hug for you. That last pic is so wonderful--what a sharp pair, the two of them.
Posted by: Ashley | April 03, 2009 at 16:37
Caro, your dad sounds like a great guy and it's great of you, too, to do this in his memory.
Posted by: janna | April 03, 2009 at 19:09
Hey - I've been there. Dad to a brain tumor in 2005. I'm so sorry & I'm off to buy a bag. (My blog is rather abandoned but here's my one year anniversary post: http://kniticity.blogspot.com/2006/08/one-year-ago-today.html )
Posted by: Anna | April 03, 2009 at 21:30
This is a wonderful tribute to your dad. Both my grandfathers died of brain cancer, so this hits close to home for me. I hope you have great sales and raise tons of money for a great cause!
Posted by: anne | April 04, 2009 at 00:00
This is a fantastic way to honor your dad. I love the memories you shared.
Posted by: Carole | April 04, 2009 at 07:39
This is such a lovely way to remember your dad. I hope you raise lots of money this month!
Posted by: Melissa | April 04, 2009 at 09:24