Happy Birthday

Today would have been mother's seventieth birthday.

An interesting thing happened today. A couple of years ago Ernie lost his wedding band. Mom and Ernie searched everywhere yet it was never found. Until today! A month or so ago friends of my parents, Thelma and Ken, came by and offered to plant some flowers in June and Ernie's back yard. As Ken began to dig the hole, his shovel contacted a metallic object. He reached down and found a man's wedding band. Ken thought he had just lucked up on this good will gesture.

On June 21st the birthday girls, a group of ladies my mom met with as each of them had their birthday were to meet as usual. Thelma invited Rhonda to join them on this occasion. I'm not really sure how this ring was revealed at the birthday party, but Thelma ended up showing Rhonda the ring. Rhonda mentioned to Thelma that it looked a lot like Ernie's wedding band. Ken and Thelma unaware that they were in possession of Ernie's wedding band, Thelma began to tell the story of how they found the ring at my parent's house.

Too make a long story short, today June 22nd, June's seventieth birthday, Rhonda presented to Ernie his wedding band a gift from Ken and Thelma. This ring had been missing at least two years. As you recall February 14th of this year was June and Ernie's thirtieth wedding anniversary.


Now doesn't that give you a warm fuzzy feeling?

Volunteer of the Year

Last week we attended the final Cancer Support meeting at the First Baptist church in Newnan till September, when their support programs will restart. Ernie, my aunts Jackie and Gwenda, my cousins Cole and Jake and I were present for our family. During the meeting Annie Joe spoke many kind words of my mother's courage and contributions to their group. We were treated to a beautiful song and a brunch that left no one with hunger. Ray McKnight with the Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts awarded mother with the volunteer of the year award. The presentation included a plaque that will be displayed in the arts center. Ernie accepted the award on June's behalf. About two weeks before June and Ernie left for Lexington in mid March, despite the pain mother was having in her hip, she insisted on working the event simply because she said she would. We were genuinely proud of her accomplishments and once again she showed us the pride she had in her community and her dedicated work ethic. The local newspaper was on hand and photographed the event. I will post a link or the entire article once it is published.

Never, Never, Never Give Up!
Find A Cure

Thank you!

We the family of June Hill, wish to thank all of you and there are so many who have cared and shared our lives, not just in the last sixty five days but for many years. I have tried to compile a list of those who have been in the forefront of the battle. Please forgive me if I fail to mention your name and this list is in no particular order.

I know our prayer chain extended from coast to coast and there’s no telling how much further it went. My best guess is that our prayer warriors were in excess of ten thousand. Mother’s faith never wavered. She never questioned “Why Me”, but why not me. Mom had confided that if just one person has been brought to the Lord through her experience then it has all been worth it. Oh woman of faith, how strong you were.

God Almighty for His sacrifice by providing us with eternal life and hearing our voices as we call out to him.

Ernie, for being a terrific husband, father and friend. For tirelessly hanging tough during the most difficult of times.

June, my mother for her courage, faith and sacrifices she has made for us and my life which she gave me.

Judy, my wife who has stood by me through the good and bad and has also given her time and love to my family.

My Aunts, Martha, Pat, Jackie and Gwenda who have given their time, love and resources in order to help make this time as bearable as possible.

Theresa, my cousin for her gift of healing touch that soothed mom’s pain during her visit.

My sisters Rhonda, Shari, Carol and brother Bruce who encouraged us.

My cousins, uncles and other family members who were understanding with regard to the trips their spouses and parents made to help us.

All of Our Family, including past and extended who shared June’s life.

Shari, for taking the time to come to Lexington in the first part of this journey.

John W, for providing air transportation for Shari and I and refusing reimbursement for his services. His relentless prayers and first hand understanding of our situation.

Cliff and Proctor, my employer, who have been understanding, compassionate, and concerned for my mother and family during this time.

Joy and Jim, my co-workers who have worked extra hours during my absence.

Margaret and the St. Agnes House, by providing affordable accommodations and her willingness to do extra things to make our stay in Lexington comfortable.

The birthday girls, a close group of my mom’s friends. Sonja, Sarah, Bobbie, Thelma and Lucille who have been celebrating their birthdays together for years. Good friends are hard to come by.

Annie Joe and Hank, for their dedication to support cancer survivors and their families. Aggressive advocates for the fight and cure of cancer, promoting the Relay For Life and treating us like family.

Jan, all of her family and the two thousand plus prayer warriors in California she rallied to the call.

The Angel Flight Organization and Lee Davis, the pilot that flew my parents to Lexington in the beginning.

Dania, daughter of Marti and Bruce who showed me how effective the blog was to keep family and friends informed.

Al Gore, for inventing the internet. ????? ;-) Just kidding.

Blogger.com, for hosting June’s Journey.

Everyone who posted comments of encouragement and love on the blog.

University of Kentucky Hospital, for providing free high speed internet access to post the blog.

The Nurses, techs and dieticians at the Markey Cancer Center for showing so much compassion day in and day out when mother suffered the most.

The Doctors who got it right most of the time.

Libby, the home health nurse who recognized that a severe infection was imminent and advised mother to get to the hospital immediately. (Easter Weekend)

Charlotte, for stepping in to play the bagpipes for me at the Relay For Life this year in Newnan.

Anyone and everyone who silently gave, grieved, cared, shared and prayed for us during June’s Lexington Journey.

Vista Care, and the entire staff for providing the hospice care that gently and compassionately guided us and provides the care needed even after our loss.

Alec, our daughter’s father in-law and the piper who came from England to play at the graveside service.

Pastor Don, his eulogy hit the mark because he knew her.

Cancer Support Group of Newnan, for being there.

McKoon Funeral Home, a beautiful and dignified funeral service.

Clifford, the man who while walking stopped on Temple Ave. during the funeral procession and removed his hat in respect.

The police escort and considerate drivers that pulled over showing respect to the funeral procession. (That doesn’t happen everywhere.)

All of the food, flowers and support.

Gumbeaux’s Cajun Restaurant, for providing dinner one night.

Panera Bread, for sending over fresh bread.

Thanks to all for everything!