A Tribute To Scott’s Humble Greatness

I’m rallying for support for my dad’s recovery from cancer. At this point: He’s completed two rounds of chemo and just found out that his tumor has shrunk! His surgery is on January 7. He admits that he really had no idea what this was going to be like and now he says “it sucks” his body is weak. All my life my dad has been the fittest one in the family. Backpacking and working a physically demanding job has kept him healthy and now for the first time ever he feels weak. It crushes my heart. He is still so strong- almost frustratingly so. He wants to get the surgery done so he can go back to work... why, You ask? ... because my parents don’t have enough money to survive on their social security alone. So I’m doing all I can to gather support and get them into community programs. But I’ve decided to ask you for your support. If you are able to give to the fundraiser, thank you so much! But if you’re able to contribute in some other way, consider gift cards for DoorDash because one thing that my dad really struggles with is his appetite and preparing healthy meals. On Christmas Day I surprised him with a zoom call with many friends and family- most of whom he hadn’t even seen their faces in 5 years. But some, his cousin Chris, he hadn’t seen in over 20 years. My dad cried. All my life he has had this crazy idea that he’s not that important. He worked a job that, for the most part, he hated and resigned himself to isolation from a life that he felt he didn’t belong in. All my life I’ve carried my dad’s sadness and tried to help him believe that he was actually an incredible father, friend, teacher, role model and by far the best man I had ever known. He never believed me. Until yesterday. Virtually surrounded by people who loved him, he couldn’t deny the truth that he was worth loving. Thank you to everyone who everyone who showed up and helped me lift my father up. As amazing as it was to see my dad laugh and joke and cry with you all, I was also deeply saddened that I could not be a part of the experience myself. I was trying to get my mom’s computer online to run the zoom so I could join in, but in my efforts to do something helpful I (and the WiFi not working) triggered my mom into a meltdown and I had to try and manage that so that my dad didn’t have to end his call. Both my dad and I are well trained to deal with my mom’s episodes, but sometimes he feels obligated to stop whatever he’s doing and come to her aid. I was grateful that he was able to continue his conversation, but I was sad that I had to miss it. If I can gather enough money, I’d like to buy my parents a mobile hot spot. Maybe pay for a year of service in advance... but also I’d like to get my dad an iPad. Something that I could teach him how to use and help manage the service. I currently have all my family phones on my Sprint account so I’d just be adding a new line, but since my assault I’ve struggled with ptsd and my ability to work has suffered. I’m healing now and I’m much stronger than I have been in a long time, but supporting my daughter and my parents emotionally and financially has proven to be more than I can do. So, now that I’ve poured my heart out publicly, I have one more thing to ask of you- if you’re capable of supporting my family in this time of need, please do. I will continue to support my family emotionally and do all I can to strengthen and better our situation, but you’re financial support would go directly to my dad and allow him adequate time to recover after his surgery before he goes back to work. I’ve been writing this for about two hours now and I’m not sure if anyone will actually have the patience to read it all the way through, but perhaps, like my journaling, writing this was also for my own emotional benefit. On a very personal note, a few of you may know, my best friend was diagnosed with brain cancer a year ago and through all of this pandemic isolation I’ve done everything I can to stay connected with her. With so much pain in my life right now, in my quiet moments, I find gratitude. I have been so blessed despite the cards I’ve been dealt. I’ve been loved by my family and friends in my highs and my lows. Some people have come and gone but those of you who are still here with me and my family, you are the very reason I keep going. You are the reason I am grateful. And after 40 years I have finally been able to see my dad find hope for his own future. Thank you.