Hope for Barbara: All Roads Lead to Ransom

Jerry's Tap in Ransom, IL has been a McCann family hotspot for decades, so when Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bernie came into town last week from Kentucky, that was the place where everyone wanted to meet. No matter where anyone lives, when it comes down to it, all roads lead to Ransom.

Every now and again I think of something my dad used to say to me - "There is no such thing as time" and I wonder if he must have been referring to mom and her siblings. I have learned over the years that the McCann side of the family has their own individual concept(s) of time. However, the stars must have been in alignment on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, because everyone - mom (Barbara), Carol, Rosemary, Ruth and Larry were able to be in the same place at the same time.

Mom and I were not able to make it back to Ransom last January for Heather's memorial service, so mom and her sisters went in together and purchased an angel in memory of Heather and gave it to Uncle Larry, Aunt Marilyn and Dax. Mom also gave Uncle Larry a quilt she had made for him with a big star on the front in honor of his time serving in the army during the Vietnam War.

It has been 10 years since mom's cancer diagnosis. She really did not believe she would be here today. She is thankful, as am I, but it is somewhat bittersweet, because we lost Heather last December. Heather's passing is still fresh and it was not the same at Jerry's without her there.

Mom and I are going to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's (NOCC) 5K this Saturday to walk in memory of Heather. Heather did the NOCC walk in Chicago for the last 3 years and also raised money for the NOCC. I deeply regret not walking with her last year.

We have a McCann group (cousins Alaina and Jane) and also many of Heather's friends and S/O Chris are also walking on the team Together 4 Heather and raising $ for the NOCC for Ovarian Cancer research and support.

Remembering Heather is easy, but living without her [here] is hard for many.