Each year it gets more challenging for me to decide who to honor at the Our House Run/Walk for Hope --- there are so many family members and friends who have died.   In the past I've participated in memory of Chris, whose death was the reason I joined a Young Widows' Group at Our House in 1998.  One year,  I honored my father, who died when I was four years old,  He - or more specifically, his absence - had huge impact on my life.  I’ve  also honored my  mother whom I adored, and one year, I participated in memory of  my mother and her two sisters, who were all role models in my life

Last year, the event was just over a month after my sister Charlene had died and 3 years after my sister's Karen's death, so I walked in memory of my sisters.

I'm still coming to terms with Char's death. It's easy to forget that I can't just call or text her.  I miss her unending support and thinking she'd always be there for me.  So this year, I am once again walking in memory of Charlene and Karen.  We were "Annie's Girls" and I am sad that the "Sisters" ringtone on my phone has been forever silenced.

Our House has age and loss specific groups, and thanks to donations, these are offered at sliding fees.  Donations also help send children to Camp Erin each year, where they can  interact with other grieving kids who have lost a parent.  

I wish Our House had been around when my father died. I’m so grateful it was there when Chris died.  The support I received at Our House and the lasting friendships I made there are priceless.

If you can, please consider sponsoring me in this year’s Our House Walk for Hope and helping this worthwhile organization continue to help others like it helped me.  No donation is too small.