A Tribute for Goofynina

AlohaBeth has many pictures, but has jury duty tomorrow, so it will be tomorrow night before she posts them. I have some big emotions right now and want to write my thoughts about the Walk, my daughter and Susie. In the written article, the reporter explained that Nina was a friend who lost her battle against kidney failure on Valentine's Day. We were the talk of the event and hundreds of people knew the tiaras and boas were in honor of Nina's memory. It looked like a flock of purple chickens were plucked by the time we left the event -purple feathers everywhere!! My little guys wore hats that said "Nana's Boys" with an Eiffel Tower. They were all so excited about walking but 5 K. is a long way for their little legs. At the beginning of the video, a little girl is riding in a red wagon. That is one of mine---Emma Rebecca, 5. I can't wait to share all the pictures. Wait till you see the trophy! Oh my goodness! Everyone asks where will I put it? Right in the middle of everything - I want everyone to see it. I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of Beth. I have incredible children with huge, compassionate hearts. Beth sees me daily, and knows first hand how this disease has changed me. I can put on a front when I am out, but she is the one who hears me up during the night sick, or not sleeping, or too tired to move. And then when she heard about Susie, she knew she had to do something positive to honor her. The director of the Triangle Kidney Foundation is in love with my family. She talked to them all during the fundraising and was very impressed with their money raising efforts. She is the one who told the news team to talk to us, that we had a good story. She has also been on IHD several times since Beth told her about the site. She is now telling others that this is a great place for support. She loves the site. She said we are a caring and supportive group willing to help each other.

and she will recommend IHD to everyone looking for support or more information. At the beginning of the Walk, everyone was excited and geared up. Beth and I looked at each other, and the tears just started flowing. We hugged and kept saying "this is for Susie". And we will be back next year and again, it will be for Susie. And once more, let me say that Beth is amazing. She did it all - the organizing, the shirts, contacting people - everything. I am grateful to have her in my life and proud of the woman she is. On Friday night, she was registering voters, Saturday the Walk and Monday has jury duty. And works 40 hours a week. And moves to California in 3 weeks (but that is another post!). At the end of the video, I am hugging a boy, my grandson, Ezekiel (Zeke). When the walk was over and we were heading for our cars, he looked up at me and asked "Do you have your new kidney now, Nana?". More tears! Life is simple when you are 6, Kidney Walk = new kidney. Thank all of you for supporting Beth during this time. It has helped the grieving process to have something to focus on. Thank you for accepting her into this family and giving her a place as the daughter of a kidney patient. Beth is a hero; always stepping up to help. I love her, can you tell?