I'm back

Hello all

I have not been here for a long time, but after it was brought to my attention that there was a recent post on the blog and it made me aware that there are still people out there who are checking the blog and thinking of us.

We have had our first ever Relay for Life, like I mentioned in the last blog entry. It was a wonderful event and raised an enormous amount of money for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Well since the last posting, we have experienced Caitlyn's first "angelversary" on Aug 9th of this year. It was an interesting weekend. We spent Saturday (the 8th) with many visitors and calls. We had a party that night......the first ever "Live life to the Fullest Party". This was to celebrate Caitlyn's life. We decided that we did not want to curl up and feel bad for ourselves during this time, and that would be definitely not something that Caitlyn would do, so we had a party instead! It was a BBQ and of course it was drizzling rain all evening so we had 50 people crowded into our garage at one time. It was nice to see so many of our friends and share some laughter. Then on August 9 (Sunday) we started out by going to the cemetary to let off balloons and watch them as they travelled up and up. We then headed to a family picnic which helped fill the day. As the picnic ended, a very loud storm rolled in with very loud thunder and lightening! It was like a replay of the weather on the day that Caitlyn passed away. It was almost like Caitlyn was saying "hey everyone, don't forget me!"

Everything else in our lives are moving on also. Another school year has arrived and Bryanna is now in Grade 8 and loving it. Dylan has graduated from high school and has moved on to college. He started at Georgian College in Owen Sound in the Police Foundations program. He too seems to be loving it. I know that Caitlyn would be very proud of her brother right now. Jim and I are busy with work, and getting ready for another hockey season as they are both playing again this year.

For those of you who are still checking the blog, I WILL update more frequently!

Until next time!

The Cobeans

P.S. Please remember that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! Wear gold to support!

I am quite sure, everyone has thought that I am finished with the blog. But I am back! I took a break from the blog, as we got through some rough "firsts" but I am back on track now.
To update all, we are doing well here. We made it through our first Christmas, which was a little tough, but we made the best of it. We changed our Christmas tradition slightly, and included another candle on the middle of the Christmas table. It was a pillar candle with a pink bow tied around it (Caitlyn's favourite colour). It sat right beside our candle we have had out for the last 4 years which represents Jim's mom who was taken from us suddenly in 2005 with cancer. Dylan and his girlfriend surprised us at Christmas with a beautiful portrait of Caitlyn at grade 8 grad. It is wonderful and hangs in our living room now. Of course, Bryanna told me that I had only 2 minutes to cry and then I had to stop, so she was able to add the humour that her sister would have done.
Right after Christmas the girls hockey team from Caitlyn's high school had a memorial game in honour of her. It was great. The school was let out for the game and there was a wonderful turn out. The proceeds went to Brain Child, and POGO in memory of Caitlyn.
Then we had Caitlyn's 16th birthday on February 22nd. That was tough one, but again, we made it through it too. The 4 of us went to the cemetary (wading through the snow) and released 16 pink and purple helium balloons. It was emotional but worthwhile. We had many phonecalls, emails and notes from all to help us through the day.
But now, we are back to moving on. We are working now on the newest event to Saugeen Shores and helping with the Relay for Life that is being held on June 26th at the high school. It is going to be a wonderful event and we are all looking forward to it!! It is our way of keeping up Caitlyn's fight against this horrible disease and to help prevent another family having to go through this.
Until next time!!

Rona

Hi there

Hope everyone is gearing up for Christmas, we are a little slower in preparing this year. I just can't seem to get into the mood but with all this snow outdoors, the mood is starting to come.

Well, last weekend our girls hockey teams in our town, hosted the Regional Silverstick hockey tournament. During the opening ceremonies on Friday night, they officially retired Caitlyn's hockey jersey and her number. It was a wonderful tribute to such a special girl. The opening ceremony ended with Bryanna, Caitlyn's sister leading all the girls in a "victory"lap around the ice and then the 4 of us dropped the puck for the game.

Jim and I had crests made for all the girls jerseys with grey angel wings and Caitlyn's number "10" on them. These have been sewn on the left chest of all the girls jerseys.

Jim and I, also had contructed this shadow box for the lobby of the arena. It has her jersey, her last hockey picture, a write up about her and the 2 trophies that she received throughout her hockey career for being the "Most Dedicated Player" 2 separate years.

Following the ceremony, one of Caityn's good friends showed us what she had created in memory of Caitlyn. This girl was a goalie on her hockey team for several years and now currently plays out of town. She had a new goalie helmet made in memory of Caitlyn, with the BRAIN child emblem on the back, grey ribbons on both sides, and Caitlyn's initials on the front. I will be posting pictures later.

All in all, the weekend was a great time of remembrance, laughs and a few tears.

Hello all!

Sorry for not posting earlier as there really was not much going on.

All is well with the Cobean family and we are trying to get back to a way of life. Dylan and Bryanna are both quite involved with hockey so that occupies our time. Speaking of hockey, on November 28th at the Girls Silverstick tournament in Port Elgin, Saugeen Shores Minor Hockey are retiring Caitlyn's number "10". This ceremony will be part of the opening ceremonies. At which point we will be erecting a shadow box in the lobby of the arena as a memorial. Our hockey family are such a supportive bunch.

Also, on November 13th, I did something I never thought I would ever do. I got a tattoo put on my foot. Caitlyn always said she wanted a tattoo on her left foot, over the scar from her ankle fusion, that said "Imagine a cure" which is the slogan for brain tumours. So being as she was unable to complete her dream, I decided that this would be a great tribute to our wonderful daughter. Yes, it did hurt a lot but, as I sat there getting the tattoo, I thought of all the time that Caitlyn persevered the pain and agony of chemo and radiation and never said a word. I also, felt her there watching over me, laughing at me and telling me to "suck it up buttercup", one of her favourite phrases.

Well, until next time.

Rona

Hello all
Well, we have got back into the swing of things, somewhat. Work, hockey and everyday life. Although it will never be the same everyday life.
We are spending a bit of time on a major project now. That is that we have been approved by council to have a Relay for Life next summer in Port Elgin. The date is set for June 26, 2009 at the high school track. I am a co chair with Jim's sister, Nancy and Trish Bernard, who is one of Caitlyn's friend's mother. We are all quite excited. There has been a tremendous support from several people already, wanting to help with this event. The three of us are planning on attending a conference on the Relay for Life, at the end of the month. All of this is helping with the healing process, as we continue the fight for Caitlyn.
We will keep you up to date on the progress of this great walk.

Rona

Hello all

Well, we had a busy weekend! Friday night we spent the entire night in Mildmay at the Relay for Life with about 35 of our friends. We had 3 teams there to support us, in memory of Caitlyn. What a great event!! It was a very big emotional roller coaster. The event raised $72 000.00 for cancer research. Thsi is picture of our campsite at the event. We then came home and slept for a few hours on Saturday. Sunday was the Terry Fox Run in Port Elgin, where I had been asked to say a few words as Terry's teammate. Although it was pouring down rain there was a great turnout. We did not actually walk in this event as our feet and legs were still aching from Friday night. Again, another amazing event. So needless to say we have been in bed early the last couple of nights.

I have went back to work last week, once Dylan and Bryanna got settled into school. Jim is working also, (he went back to work the week after the funeral). We are planning weekend trips with the trailer before the weather gets too nasty and trying to find out what our "normal" is now. We dearly miss Caitlyn and often think of what Caitlyn would say when certain things arise. We truly felt her presence with us all weekend as we continued the fight against this horrible disease.

Thanks again for remaining interested in our postings.

The Cobeans

Well, here we are 2 1/2 weeks out from Caitlyn's passing and we are adjusting to our lives without her here. Things are quieter in the house, but we can still hear her periodically coming up with her witty comments. It seems odd without her here.
Bryanna(for those who don't know that is Caitlyn's younger sister) and I are doing some day trips and Jim and Dylan (Caitlyn's older brother) are back to work. I will be returning to work in a couple of weeks, after the kids are back to school and settled.
We are also gearing up to participating in a Relay for Life (a walk to raise money and awareness for cancer that takes place overnight) in Mildmay on Sept 12. Our friends and family are entering 3 teams in honour of Caitlyn. I will posting pictures of the night after it happens. Those who are interested in sponsoring, please contact me. It is a great fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Thanks for the ongoing moral support that everyone has been giving us as it has helped.

Thanks again
The Cobeans