Can't say it enough. THANK YOU

Now that I have had a week to reflect on Shannon’s benefit I wanted to get a post out about it.  It was one of the top three days in my life. 

1.       Our wedding day.

2.       The benefit.

3.       Graduation from Ranger School.

I really can’t express how special the whole event was to me and what it meant to see Lee’s filled up with people supporting Shannon and I.  Old friends, new friends, acquaintances, family, and even strangers off the street who wanted to hear the bands.  As many of know we live streamed the whole benefit and almost 500 people watched online on top of the 450-550 that attended live and in person.  My Aunt Aimee watched all 9 hours in Chicago, WOW.  It was just a magical day that I know will never experience again. 

The two main goals for the event were accomplished.  First, give everyone who wanted a chance to help out to do so as I can’t have 500 people mow our yard.  And second, to come and celebrate Shannon and what she means to each and every one of us.  To me the second was just as important as the first. 

A few people have asked about how we did with money and while I feel it inappropriate to discuss details I can say that with the online donations, money received in the mail and the benefit at Lee’s money is now an issue that we will no longer need to worry about for the duration of Shannon’s treatment.  When I went home last Sunday I breathed a deep and satisfied sigh of relief.  Shannon and I will never be able to repay everyone’s generosity but we promise to pay it forward when we come through the other side of this.  A very good friend of mine in California always says “The law of reciprocity is always in effect.”

There was however a point 3 or 4 bands in when the crowd swelled and I found myself feeling sad.  As much as I would like to think everyone would have shown up to see those bands on a beautiful sunny May Sunday but I know that wouldn’t be the case.  I am so happy that everyone came but the reason for the event itself and the reason for having it had me kind of funky in the middle.  This went away when I mustered up the courage to take the stage and sing “Big Bad Bill is Sweet William Now” with The Southside Aces.  Why have that type of thing in your back pocket if you don’t pull it out at an event like that!  All week I just couldn’t see myself doing it but on the day of the benefit I thought what the hell, even if I completely loose it in the middle and start blubbering I am among friends and the Aces would get me through it.  Thanks guys!  I will probably never be able to sing that song in front of a larger or friendlier crowd again.  I can’t believe I made it through.

The timing of the benefit could not have been better as Shannon was feeling up for being there from the first note till the last person left.  As we enter a new phase of her treatment we will have a few more milestones to hit along the way but the only thing that will top this is that day the doctor tells us that she is CANCER FREE!

I would like to close this post by thanking all those involved, Stu for live streaming, Pablo for helping me lay the foundation, Dylan for being there in case I needed him, Colleen for being a great MC and all the bands who made planning the benefit a breeze.  It basically came together over the course of 3 days when I got the lineup confirmed and set, it just all fell into place like it was meant to be.  A very, very special thank you to Robyn and Craig along with the rest of our Lee’s family for allowing us to hold it at our home for dancing.  I can’t imagine having it anywhere else.  Lastly I would like to thank my parents and Shannon’s family for being so supportive and helping lend a hand selling brownies (Thanks Sabine and Megan) and bringing snacks for the green room and just knowing that you are there if I need you.

I went home with heart that was overflowing with the love knowing that one worry was taken care of and a sense of gratitude that will have a hard time ever being matched. 

Thank you. Thank You. Thank You.