3/07/2016

Ranger School Recollections

Graduation Ceremony at Fort Benning, March 3. Still unbelievable.
Like childbirth, I imagine that the details of the three painful phases of Army Ranger School...will fade with time. This is why I compiled the letters written from Tyler - and to him - while he was in Ranger School. Included are some of the details we learned about it while he was in the course. We knew so little about it when he started in January. Yet, we OBSESSED on the Facebook Ranger School Support Group for his class (03-16). 
This compilation of photos, letters and descriptions ended up to be a 45 page book. It's a way for me to remember why I had arrhythmia (and chewed off nails) left at the end of those months. PM me if you'd like a copy.

For the 8 hour pass between Phase 1 and Phase 2, my brother drove from Atlanta
to help Tyler do everything that needed to be done. HERO!



3/06/2016

GoFundMe Campaign for Kathy Ramirez

Kathy Ramirez is a childhood family friend. The grow up together, be her "babysitter," go on family vacations together, go to the same church and school kind of friend. Her family gave me the honor to draft the text for her GoFundMe description. Their journey makes my heart hurt all the time. Here is the final:

It was six months ago and yet it still feels unreal.

On the Sunday night of Memorial Day weekend, David Ramirez, 47, suffered a sudden and unexpected aortic aneurysm while in his home with his family.  His wife, Kathy Ramirez, was suffering from congestive heart failure, on oxygen, and hoping to gain enough strength to get back to battling metastatic breast cancer with more rounds of chemotherapy.  Their young teenaged children, Emily and John, were trying to figure out how to navigate their lives with a mom who was in her second battle against breast cancer when they had to face the sudden loss of their dad.  Friends and family who had been walking with them and praying with them for Kathy’s healing could not have imagined that they’d have to face the unexpected loss of David.

There are no words to express how heartbroken everyone is right now.  We lost a wonderful man whose winsome personality and generous spirit had been a blessing and encouragement to many.

Life with its mix of struggles and happiness continues to move forward for all of us, but when we face our difficulties we remember Kathy and her children and we gain strength to overcome.  Whatever challenges we have in this season, we know it is so much more difficult for Kathy and her kids as she continues her very tough battle with metastatic breast cancer and still raise young teenagers.  Kathy has not been able to work due to the effects of the cancer, the ugly side effects of treatment and complications of her congenital heart defect.  Yet the everyday life and her healthcare bills keep coming in.
Their life has essentially been turned upside down.

KATHY, EMILY, and JOHN NEED OUR HELP LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

The financial ramifications of all of this are piling up.  Loss of a second income, loss of wages, unexpected increase in costs across the board for medical insurance and medical expenses continue to cause a great amount of stress, anguish and financial instability.  Plus a new reality that she is now facing this battle without her husband, and the kids, without their dad.  We continue to hope and pray for provision for her, and most of all a miracle in healing while wish there was more that we can do.

Kathy and her family continue to be humbled by the outpouring of support and help.  Your kind and encouraging words, healing prayers, and the many supportive and helpful hands are more than anyone could ask for and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Monies raised will go to meet immediate day to day expenses as well put toward The Ramirez Family Trust that has been set up for Emily and John’s future provision and education.


We encourage you to follow and share Kathy’s story at facebook.com/groups/KathyRamirez/