A Celebration of Life

Let's Celebrate an AMAZING Life!!

Layne has asked me to do a guest blog for her as she is in the middle of moving....so I hope you will all understand if this blog is not quite up to 'par'.

We have finalized the plans for OJ's Celebration of Life and hope you can make it and help pay tribute to OJ. It will be held Monday, July 15, 2013 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Foothills Golf Clubhouse, 2201 E. Clubhouse Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85048. Please wear casual attire, as OJ would shake his head if everyone was dressed to the nines....especially in the Arizona Summer heat! We are asking for you to take the time to write down your favorite memory, or favorite OJ story, and make two copies. Those stories will then be put into two very large 'memory jars' - one for each of the girls.

It has been three weeks since we lost OJ and we have been overwhelmed by the amount of love, support, compassion and kindness we have been shown. Each and every card and gesture has meant the world, so thank you all for being so kind. Speaking for the three of us, we have good days, and some not so good days. One of the hardest things is learning to live with a 'new normal'.....as the past 18 months revolved around appointments, scans, chemo days and the absolute roller coaster of emotions that a cancer journey will take you through. And then suddenly, it is over. And just as suddenly, a very large part of your life is missing.....so, one day at a time, we are doing our best to move forward. I am so extremely proud of Layne and Kristen, as they are handling everything with  grace and maturity far beyond their years.....just as their Daddy would have wanted.

We hope to see you on the 15th - if you have any questions, please feel free to call. If you are unable to attend but would like to share a memory for the girls, please feel free to e-mail it to me at swastew@msn.com - I will print them and make sure Layne and Kristen have copy.

Thank you all for being such an integral part of the journey we have been on - we could not have done it without you!

Much Love,

LouAnn

RIP Daddy

As most of you know by now, our sweet warrior joined God's kingdom on June 1st at 5:40pm. He fought so hard through his whole battle and all with a smile. We are so comforted in the fact that he is now out of pain and doing everything he loves in Heaven, including watching over his many loved ones.

Dad had an incredible life, he did and accomplished more than many people could ever dream. Even though his life was "cut short", he did so much LIVING in that life that I know with all my heart he left earth fulfilled and with no regrets.

Dad declined very quickly the last week, both physically and mentally. With all the politics of hospice and insurance, he wasn't able to go to a hospice facility until the day he passed. I got to ride with Dad in the transport van to The Dobson House (his hospice facility) and although he couldn't verbally say it, I know he wanted to say "who the hell is driving this thing"...because they really sucked! The Dobson House was a beautiful facility, Dad had his own private room, bathroom, patio, and direct TV. When Dad got settled, everyone let me have some alone time with him. I grabbed his hand and told him it was me and he smiled the biggest smile and started squeezing my hand like he always used to do. The second time he smiled was when I told him Kristen made it safely to North Carolina and was going to go see Nan. He loved Kristen and I more than anything in the world and it was apparent even in his last few hours. I made the decision after that conversation that I didn't want to be there when he passed. It was the hardest decision I ever made, but I wanted those two smiles to be what I remembered from that day and I know he would have a harder time passing if I was there. He was always protecting Kristen and I. He died peacefully a few hours later with Uncle John, Mom, and Cindy around him.

When we started this journey almost a year and a half ago and decided to do the blog, we wanted to be as real as possible with no sugar coating. We wanted to give those who chose to read the blog a big glimpse of what it was like to go through cancer, hoping it would educate and touch people in whatever way they needed it to. I remember a month or so after we started the blog, we were at Dr. Siever's office and Dad was telling him about the blog. He said, with that big OJ smile, "Hey, the blog has 600 views! Popularrrrrrrr!" Looking at it today and seeing almost 16,000 views, it is obvious just how many people loved him.

We have decided to not do a funeral, but a celebration of life. We are going to wait until July when Kristen can come back from her TFA training and give people time to book flights if they so choose. We don't have an exact date but as soon as we know I will post another update. There are so many people to thank for various things but there are a few in particular:

Kristen: My other half. You were so special to Dad, words can never describe that. He always lit up when he saw you and got to talk to you. Watching you grow into the beautiful woman you are today kept him strong and proud and I know that he is with you every moment of this new journey you are on. I know leaving was the hardest thing in the world for you but Dad (and all of us) are so proud of you for following your dreams and not let anything hold you back. Love you sissy.

*Side note to all of the readers out there. Kristen and I had an AWESOME road trip across the country. It was filled with laughter, singing, food, and a lot of driving. When we got to New Orleans we decided to get tattoos for Dad since we have breast cancer ribbons for Mom. Well when we sent our family the picture everyone freaked out momentarily, except Dad (might of been the oxy though :) ).

Mom: My mom has been such a rock for all of us, including Dad. Having been through this twice herself, she knew a lot of the terminology and what we needed to do. Mom and Dad have been divorced for many years now but managed to keep a solid friendship, which confused many people including the doctors. Mom and Dad collectively taught me and many others that love is not always something you can define and comes in many different forms and for that I am incredibly grateful. Thank you Mom for standing by Dad through it all until his last breath.

Uncle John: You have truly shown us what the word family means. I can't tell you how great it was for Dad, and all of us, to have you here on a weekly basis. Even if it was 4 days of watching TV, it was always the best part of Dad's week to be able to spend time with you. Thanks for always being there for us, we love you.

Cindy: I cannot express my gratitude for the selfless act of love you showed Dad. Thank you for caring for him even in his weakest moments and taking the time off work to do so. I know Dad was so blessed to have you there doing whatever needed to be done, these last few months especially.

Cunningham: My Dad's favorite golf partner and best friend. Dad cherished his time with you with every bone in his body. Being able to fly, golf, and just spend time with you was his favorite. I have never met a more genuine man and I thank you for being such a great friend. Listen for him on the golf course because you KNOW he will be correcting your swing from up there!

Kevin McShea: It is so rare to find great friends, especially ones that stick with you since high school. I have never seen tears roll down Dad's face from laughter as much as I did when you two were together. I know he loved the time he got to spend with you, especially driving with the music on high.

There is a million and one more people I could give shout out's to, but just know we are so grateful for all of you that touched Dad's life in one way or another. He was truly one of a kind and we will all miss him so much, but he is always in our hearts.



OJ Alexander 4/21/1954-6/1/2013 <3<3<3