Saturday, June 18, 2011

Happy Father's Day

I made these doughnuts & coffee mug cookies for my husband for Father's Day.
I had big plans for cookies for Father's Day this year. I bought tool cookie cutters and cars and was going to make Fast Food cookies and barbecues and neck ties and sports and motorcycles and others too. You know me, when I do things, I tend to do them big ;-). I started with the fun idea of doughnuts and coffee mugs and then didn't make any of the others! The rest will come along another time - after my daughter's wedding (in 6 days!) So in the meantime, I hope hubby enjoys his doughnuts and coffee mug cookies.

I miss my dad. I miss him every day. I'm no longer able to celebrate Father's Day with him, but I have incredibly loving memories of my father that I cherish and they keep me going. I can't make him cookies or buy him a new tie or a Father's Day card, so instead I honor him by living my life in a way that would make him proud. In the last 3 years since he lost his battle with Cancer, I've participated in the LiveStrong Challenge in his memory. Our little family has raised at least 15,000 in the fight against Cancer. On July 10th, I'll be cycling again. 100 miles. This is never an easy task. The first LiveStrong Challenge was 3 months to the day after my father died. We had raised over $9k all while taking care of my dad and getting him to his radiation appointments and then having him in a coma for 36 days. Getting on that bike and riding 100 miles was the last thing I wanted to do. I'd have much preferred to crawl under a rock and cry and fall apart. I did my best to pick myself up and told myself that the pain of cycling 100-miles is nothing compared to the pain of chemotherapy that Cancer patients go through. I wanted to help make a difference in the fight against Cancer. We put pictures of my dad on our bicycles and had team jerseys made saying "Eddie's Angels" and we rode and we rode through wind and hills and incredible heat. The hardest part was when I couldn't stop thinking of my father watching over me and I SOBBED the entire last 20 miles until I crossed the finish line. In memory of my dad, Edward Ducey.
The 2nd year of the LiveStrong Challenge, I had broken my hand in a karate demonstration. I punched through wood that had massive knots. I thought that after the swelling went down, I would be fine, but I finally gave in 5 days later and went to the doctor. It turned out that my hand was so badly broken that I had to have intense surgery immediately with pins holding my hand all back together while it healed in a tight cast after the surgery. I didn't want to let down the people that had supported my fundraising for LiveStrong, so the kind Lance Armstrong Foundation, set me up on the finish line with a stationery bicycle and I balanced my body leaning on one arm for 66 miles. My daughter, Mellissa, rode the course alone in memory of her grampa while I rode at the finish line. They even announced when "Pinkie's daughter" reached the top of the biggest climb. I was such a proud mom!


Last year we had some friends join us for the LiveStrong Challenge on the Eddie's Angels team. You can see a short video of our incredible experience here: http://davis2011.livestrong.org/eddiesangelsPlease consider making a donation to the LiveStrong Challenge (link above) in honor of someone you know battling Cancer or in memory of someone you've lost to Cancer. Together we can make a difference.
Happy Father's Day to the incredible dads still here (including my husband, my step-father and my father-in-law) and to those dads watching over us in heaven.

6 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, Cristin! This really resonates with me since I lost my mom to cancer 10 years ago at 57. These "special" days just aren't the same without them.

    Your dad would be so proud of what you have achieved, and I can't think of a better way to honor his memory.

    Adorable cookies, btw!

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  2. You are one of the most determined and dedicated women I've had the pleasure of getting to know. I know that your father was extremely proud of you and I believe his spirit, while not only providing you with the drive to overcome any obstacle that may present itself, is also bursting with pride and showing off his beloved daughter (and her wonderful cookies) all over Heaven!

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  3. @Silver Sprinkle Bakehouse Thank you Valerie so much. I'm sorry about your mom. That is just too young. 57 is not enough time. My father was 69 and that wasn't enough time either. I know we will see them again though and we are blessed to have had them in our lives when we did.

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  4. @The Vanilla Bean Baker Paula you always make me tear up. You have such a way with words and understanding and I'm so incredibly appreciative that I've found you. Thank you for coming into my life and thank you for your incredible site and all you are doing for those battling Cancer. You are truly an angel. I know this day, must be hard for you too and I have you in my prayers.

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  5. Cristin, I so enjoy your cookie site and love your cycling cookies pictured above. You answered an email I recently sent re.where you got your cycling cutters, and I have some on the way, thanks to you! My husband is an avid cyclist and has raised thousands of dollars for MS. I just read your post about losing your dad. I lost mine 14 years ago and shed some tears when I recognized me in your words. I remember the panic when we had to take the same steps for him to pass away. He had Parkinson's disease. I lost my mother to cancer 21 years ago. The holes left in my heart from losing these two precious people will never close; I've just learned to live without them. I, too, hope to live a life that would make them proud. God bless you in all you do.

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    1. Thank you so much Martha for your kind comment. I'm sorry you've lost both your parents. I'm so thankful to have my mom. I'm glad you were able to find the cycling cookie cutters. I love mine. We will again by riding in the LiveStrong Challenge in the fight against Cancer. Congratulations to your hubby for all that he is doing in the fight against MS. My first century was with the Waves to Wine Ride in the fight against MS. When my dad was battling Cancer, we changed our focus to LiveStrong. They are both important fights to battle. Thanks again for your kind comments. Cristin

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I love hearing from you! Cristin