I'm back

Hello all

I have not been here for a long time, but after it was brought to my attention that there was a recent post on the blog and it made me aware that there are still people out there who are checking the blog and thinking of us.

We have had our first ever Relay for Life, like I mentioned in the last blog entry. It was a wonderful event and raised an enormous amount of money for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Well since the last posting, we have experienced Caitlyn's first "angelversary" on Aug 9th of this year. It was an interesting weekend. We spent Saturday (the 8th) with many visitors and calls. We had a party that night......the first ever "Live life to the Fullest Party". This was to celebrate Caitlyn's life. We decided that we did not want to curl up and feel bad for ourselves during this time, and that would be definitely not something that Caitlyn would do, so we had a party instead! It was a BBQ and of course it was drizzling rain all evening so we had 50 people crowded into our garage at one time. It was nice to see so many of our friends and share some laughter. Then on August 9 (Sunday) we started out by going to the cemetary to let off balloons and watch them as they travelled up and up. We then headed to a family picnic which helped fill the day. As the picnic ended, a very loud storm rolled in with very loud thunder and lightening! It was like a replay of the weather on the day that Caitlyn passed away. It was almost like Caitlyn was saying "hey everyone, don't forget me!"

Everything else in our lives are moving on also. Another school year has arrived and Bryanna is now in Grade 8 and loving it. Dylan has graduated from high school and has moved on to college. He started at Georgian College in Owen Sound in the Police Foundations program. He too seems to be loving it. I know that Caitlyn would be very proud of her brother right now. Jim and I are busy with work, and getting ready for another hockey season as they are both playing again this year.

For those of you who are still checking the blog, I WILL update more frequently!

Until next time!

The Cobeans

P.S. Please remember that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! Wear gold to support!

I am quite sure, everyone has thought that I am finished with the blog. But I am back! I took a break from the blog, as we got through some rough "firsts" but I am back on track now.
To update all, we are doing well here. We made it through our first Christmas, which was a little tough, but we made the best of it. We changed our Christmas tradition slightly, and included another candle on the middle of the Christmas table. It was a pillar candle with a pink bow tied around it (Caitlyn's favourite colour). It sat right beside our candle we have had out for the last 4 years which represents Jim's mom who was taken from us suddenly in 2005 with cancer. Dylan and his girlfriend surprised us at Christmas with a beautiful portrait of Caitlyn at grade 8 grad. It is wonderful and hangs in our living room now. Of course, Bryanna told me that I had only 2 minutes to cry and then I had to stop, so she was able to add the humour that her sister would have done.
Right after Christmas the girls hockey team from Caitlyn's high school had a memorial game in honour of her. It was great. The school was let out for the game and there was a wonderful turn out. The proceeds went to Brain Child, and POGO in memory of Caitlyn.
Then we had Caitlyn's 16th birthday on February 22nd. That was tough one, but again, we made it through it too. The 4 of us went to the cemetary (wading through the snow) and released 16 pink and purple helium balloons. It was emotional but worthwhile. We had many phonecalls, emails and notes from all to help us through the day.
But now, we are back to moving on. We are working now on the newest event to Saugeen Shores and helping with the Relay for Life that is being held on June 26th at the high school. It is going to be a wonderful event and we are all looking forward to it!! It is our way of keeping up Caitlyn's fight against this horrible disease and to help prevent another family having to go through this.
Until next time!!

Rona