That’s how we feel, Mama; we will never forget. I love you, and as dad said, sleep well.
“A Husband’s Perspective,” by John Schalich
When we first heard of the diagnosis of Tracy’s brain tumor, I was in disbelief. This happens to somebody else—not us.
Tracy was truly an inspiration to all who met her during the twenty-month battle she waged against brain cancer. I remember, six months after her first surgery, the tumor returned. I sat in a chair in our family room with my hands in my face, crying. Tracy came up to me and put her hand on my shoulder and said we would be all right.
There she was—the patient taking care of the caregiver.
She would have four surgeries and face all of them with courage and determination. There were so many emotional highs and lows for me throughout the whole ordeal. It was very difficult, losing my wife and friend to this disease. Sometimes I feel cheated and angry; yet I know Tracy would have wanted me to start to move forward with my life and enjoy our family.
Tracy lost her battle in December of 2006, and I find myself thinking of her every day. Sometimes, I feel I’m taking two steps forward and one-step back. I know it is okay and part of the grieving process.
I am starting to take a bite out of life again, thanks to Tracy’s inspirational fight.
I thought about you yesterday and days before that, too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name,
All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake, with which I’ll never part,
God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart.
Photo Courtesy of the Schalich family and the Tug McGraw Foundation. “We dare you to try and catch Tracy NOT smiling!”
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