A Return to the Virgin Islands

If I must sit and wait patiently for the time to pass before undergoing a surgery that sounds more like voodoo than science....

(This little guy was waiting at the door of the airport in St John)

then it is best to ruminate about the highlight of my year....another visit to my son, Tom, in the Virgin Islands.

It was the first week in August and I had closed out Don's apartment, said my 'farewells' to friends in Florida and realized I was a mere hop, skip and ferryboat ride from St John, Virgin Islands.

(Tom Larson)

Tom had been asking me for several years to come for the Team River Runner Fundraiser that was held the first of August so it seemed a good time to see what he was so excited about.

When I arrived we were still a few days away from the main event--The Chaotic Kayak Race--so Tom and I spent a little time exploring while I learned more about his pet project. 

As we wandered the Island I began to realize just how important this event had become to everyone.  Residents, business owners and friends kept coming up to me and telling me how 'special' my son was.  Well, I knew that already but every Mom likes to hear it anyway.

The history of this St. John event began in Sept. 2009 when a small struggling group of wounded veterans came to St. John for therapy while dealing with a multitude of physical and mental injuries. Tom, being retired from 20 years in the Coast Guard, just naturally gravitated towards any veteran.  After an evening of getting acquainted he found out this small band of volunteers and vets were running a program centered around white water river rafting for soldiers that were missing limbs, or blind, or suffering from PTSD--or much more.  They were veterans (mainly of Iraq and Afghanistan but not restricted to those wars) that were struggling to get their lives back, plus more than anything else, to be there for each other.

From the TRR website:

Team River Runner envisions a national network which creates innovative paddling programs designed to assist with the recovery of those injured while serving our country. Through paddle sports, TRR volunteers and partners provide local communities unique opportunities for the active, safe and positive support of healing service members and their families.

There are chapters all throughout the US but the trips to St. John were very expensive and, even though the Virgin Islands offered the unique opportunity to kayak in open ocean and in amazing surroundings, they were out of funds for making such expensive trips.  So Tom, his wife, Amy, and friends John and Brandi decided to stage a kayak race to raise some money and perhaps bring the TRR back again the following year.

That very first year they shocked themselves and everyone else by raising $16,000 from some very enthusiastic island residents, business owners and one very wealthy tourist.  They were off and running!

The funds covered airfare, food, and ground transportation.  The veterans stay for a week in beachside cabins in the National Park while, during the day, they work in the water with the trainers, volunteers and caregivers. In the evenings they come into Cruz Bay for dinner and to meet and be welcomed by a grateful community.

(The Sadie Sea, Tom's boat)

The fund raiser has been held on the first weekend in August, every year since that first one.  John and his wife are no longer on the Island but Tom is still at it and each year the Island has raised more money.

 

The amount of money raised determines how many veterans and volunteers will be able to take part in the program that occurs the first week of November.  The veterans come to the program a number of ways but primarily through Walter Reed Hospital.

 This year there are double amputees, several blind vets, and others with challenges that require special fittings for paddles, snorkeling equipment, wheelchairs, and a lot more.  Not your usual list of items for a vacation to the islands.

To raise funds the businesses on the Island are encouraged to vie against each other in a Kayak race.  They raise money from their friends, neighbors and customers and for each $100 they raise they get a 5 second head start in the race.  Tom anchors the Sadie Sea off the coast and the Kayakers must paddle out, around the Sadie Sea and return to the beach.  Sounds easy, right?  (More about that later) There are 32 kayaks with 8 heats, then four, and finally a winner.  The race takes place all afternoon on one of the most popular picnic beaches on the Island.

As Tom and I circled the Island we kept visiting small bars, restaurants and boat rental places and Tom would greet them with,  "The meeting is on Saturday to sign up your team.  Your competitor across the street says he is going to beat your butt this year.  Are you going to let him get away with that?"  Kaching! Another $100 bucks in the kitty!  And through it all the Islanders kept saying, "We'll see you there.  Great job, Tom."  And I was beginning to see how important this was to Tom and to the Islanders.

Please check out the Team River Runner website or their blog.

And if you have one-and-a-half hours, please watch this amazing documentary "On Me" produced by Vimeo:

On Me - Team River Runner Documentary from Roi Films on Vimeo.

More to come.................

For Friends and Family

To Friends and Family

There have been so many phone calls lately that I cannot seem to keep my phone charged so I am going to share what little info I have at this time via the blog.

It seems that I have a valve in my heart that is not doing what it is supposed to do. Next week I will be getting an angiogram to find out just what needs to be repaired and will undoubtedly have some heart surgery sometime before Thanksgiving—though dates and times are still being decided.

This has definitely slowed me down but one friend suggests that I really haven't had my wings clipped, only my tires flattened.

Thank you all for your wonderful thoughts and concern.

                                               Toni

Two Birthday parties and a puppy

Before leaving Leesburg the wonderful friends at Lakeport Square threw me a birthday and farewell party.  It was lovely plus the warmth in that room could have ignited the candles on the cake....

The party was held in the private dining room...

Loren and Willi, Miriam, Helen

Billie, the Gardener, Virgil, Dick and Lois

Billie and Jean

Gloria and Jean

Willi, Miriam, and Helen

Judy and Lois

Dick and Virgil 

Loren and Me

And lovely Jean who put it all together.  Thank you so much folks. I will never forget you.

Upon leaving Leesburg I traveled south to Winter Haven to visit my good buddy, June

and her new buddy....

Buddy

What a wonderful face.

And one more birthday celebration for both June and myself.  Just look at that cake!

The next day I flew to the Virgin Islands to see Tom.  

Scattering Ashes Sept. 9, 2015

Don had one final request that he asked me to carry out.  He wanted his ashes co-mingled with his wife's then shipped to a couple in Arizona who had a small plane.  Don had already made the arrangements with them; they were to fly the ashes over a canyon outside of Sedona to be scattered over the red rocks Don and Vi loved so much.

Jerome, Az

I contacted the couple right away but their plane was having some work done on it. It wasn't until the first week in Sept. when I received word that the ashes had been scattered and there would be photos headed my way.

Cottonwood, Az

I could see why he chose this place, the scenery is lovely.

This was interesting--Don grew up in Cottonwood, Minnesota and now his final resting place is just outside of Cottonwood, Az.

Canyons of Sedona

The photos were all taken through the windows of the plane and some were hard to see when the sun isn't just right.

Red Rocks of Sedona

Sedona, Az

San Francisco Peaks outside of Flagstaff, Az

Red Rocks around Sedona

 

Red Rocks around Sedona

Oak Creek Canyon outside of Sedona, Az

Ashes were released over Slide Rock.

Flagstaff is in the background.

Oak Creek Canyon 

Looking Back

 One last view.

Don and Vi Larson

Meet Bill Miller and Rhonda Reece--July 9-24

This all started because I had less than 3 weeks to dispose of all of Don's belongings and clear out of his apartment. His many friends had taken all they wanted from the party but it still left lots of furniture, art pieces, dishes, books, clothes, etc.  I was thinking of contacting a resale shop to help me out when I heard about a special lady-in-need.  However,  first came Bill...



I am sorry to say, I did not get a picture of Bill (or Rhonda) but you will find him on his own blog.....

Lookmomnohands.net

Meet Bill Miller

(Loren and Willi Miller)

I met Bill at Lakeport Square--He is the grandson of Don's friends, Loren and Willi Miller and I had heard all about Bill's amazing virtues from his grandparents.  As they boasted with unabashed pride,  I would simply smile and nod and say I was sure he was the most gifted  grandson in all the world,  until I met him--Yep, they were pretty close.
 I got an invitation to stop by their apartment one evening when Bill was visiting and there he was, laughing, joking and holding court from his hi-tech wheelchair.  Bill, you see, is a young man in his late 30's who has been a quadriplegic from his junior year in college. 
If you check out his blog you will find that he has since completed his college degree, got his masters degree, invented a bowling machine that attaches to his wheelchair, and sponsors a league of other quadriplegic bowlers.  And his high score, for which he holds a record among quads, is 255!

https://powerwheelchairusers.wordpress.com/2015/08/31/wheelchair-bowling-records-2/

It was from the Millers that I learned about another remarkable person--Rhonda Reece.  Rhonda, in her 30's, is also a quadriplegic, one of the quad bowlers, plus a very good friend of Bill's.
It seems that, until a year ago, Rhonda's parents were her main caregivers but they both unexpectedly died--leaving her with very sparse funds while  desperate for round-the-clock care.  Fundraisers were held, some donations appeared but it was when someone suggested that she go into business selling 'found items' through yard sales and on Ebay that she began to afford her caregivers.
When Bill found out that I was trying to dispose of Don's things, he and his grandparents suggested I think of Rhonda.
It took a week of Rhonda and her 'staff' coming to the apartment each day and carting off furniture and boxes of stuff to finally empty it all.  Rhonda was very grateful and she continuously let me know how much it helped her.  But most of all, I felt sure that Don would have been pleased to know how much his generosity helped someone in need.
It was because of Rhonda that I was able to clear out of the apartment ahead of deadline so I thank her as well and I wish both Bill and Rhonda all the best--along with lots of strikes and spares.

You will find a link to Bill's blog from now on--over on the right under 'Sites that I Like'.

The Memorial Party--July 8th

The RV was stored in a friend's backyard and I once again boarded the plane for Florida.  Don's passing had been peaceful and pain free for which I am very grateful.  Now it was time to have the memorial party he wanted and time to empty and close his lovely apartment.

Nephew Mark flew down from Minnesota to help with the party....

Then niece Becky came down to assist in cleaning and ultimately disposing of the last of his possessions.

(Dick and Lois)

The party was a complete success.  I truly felt Don was there, at least in the memories and  wonderful praises from the roomful of guests.  

Everyone was invited to claim a momento....

and, needless to say, Jules will make sure Don's colorful shirts will continue to wow the ladies at dinnertime.

Joan and Loren enjoyed the opportunity to visit.

Billie took the hydoponic garden.  There simply was no way to get those pots of plants that grow in circulating water into my tiny RV, though I did think about it. Maybe I could tow a tiny trailer equipped with a solar panel to run the pumps then I would be able to grow my own organic salad. Or  not.  I expect I'll find a Whole Foods or a Sprouts or a farmer's market as I travel.  Gardening will have to wait.

(Gloria  and Helen)

(Jules and Judy)

This was not the last party before I left Lakeport Square and Leesburg.  These lovely people did not let my birthday go by un-celebrated and they have truly made me feel special.  Plus there were some moments so inspirational I want to give them extra attention--tomorrow.