Although it is hard to believe, it is a month since Cathy left us…I am reminded of an Irish custom called “Month’s Mind” which is a special day of rememberance… of course every day is in Cathy’s case.

I didn’t see Cathy is the physical sense for a couple of years, but she was a very real presence in my life…in thought, prayer and cards.

Many people have called Cathy their hero, and she was to so many of us. She was my friend, mentor, and a shining example of rising above chronic illness and reaching far beyond what many people would have thought folly. When I was diagnosed with MS, it was Cathy who quietly showed me how to cope…most of the time without words. We also had fun! We both enjoyed cooking and often would share our talents with our friend Blaise. If we were too tired to cook, we could always find a good restaurant, and share a meal.

I now have Cathy and her angel wings picture hangin in my office with the poem Tachypnea. She shares a space with my other hero Mattie Stepanek who also had a diesase with initials. HIs favorite saying was “Remember to play after every storm”, which we would do well to embrace. I hope this storm of loss and sadness will pass for all of us soon.