snow storm
St Patrik's day NIGHT>. of 04.. Jo and Megan went to Dillon for a 'sing along with a friend who was playing music.. looked outside at the snow going 'sideways' a hurried trip as could back to Jo's house in Blue River.. Socked in for 2 days..but we certainly did not care. lots of wood to burn, books to read.tea to drink, life to discuss. . had to wait for the snow plows.. then took a ride to the North end of the county to LOOK at all of the snow.. People were stranded for days.everywhere. They could not get out of Summit County. and yes, I miss this wonderful life we had there.
professional photography
Oh yes.. do note the signature on the photo. in antoher life, I professed to be a photographer. and did so succesfully for 15 years before moving to Breckenridge.
Oh my!! what a deal to get these women dressed in silk and pearls.. and in ''makeup''--- I insisted on the classic of Black and white.. oh my!! perhaps I should take this art up again.. I for got what a grand feeling of accomplishment this can be.
'Capture the Moment" for a lifetime of memories how grateful I am to have had this opportunity..
on way to Joe's wedding
Jo Busse agreed to drive/accompany Megan to Joe's wedding.. Then was asked (coerised) to lend her God gift of voice to sing at the wedding.. That she did.. Jo's Daughter, Kelson, flew from Louisiana to accompany the 2 travelers on a marvelous journey. Zion Park, North End of the Grand Canyon, the South end of the Grand Canyon, and a few more.. what an adventure. !!! Kelson had just returned from a month at New York University for a Summer dance instructor class.
so here they all are at one of the Many stops... Oh.. and Megan never let Jo live down the statement----" Megan, there is a big hole in the ground"-- as they approached the Grand Canyon
The cloud became this color
A happy Heart
The cloud we were chasing. Boreas Pass, Colorado
How many wonderful day road trips we took.. this was the end of my living in Breckenridge, so we decided for one more drive over Boreas Pass. Well, the thunder heads were absolutely gorgeous and accommodating. Photographer Jo, loved to document everything pictorially.. what a treasure of a day.. as always, with a friend like no other.
the cribbage game
This post comes in response to Megan's Mississippi friends, the Jaeckels, post about rarely winning cribbage games played with Megan. I've never been much of a game player...I always attributed it to being skunked all the time by my mom's competitve card game spirit (I thought moms were supposed to let little kids win!) So I had to wait many years...55 to be exact, and wait till she was weakening...before I could reach the end of the board before she did. So here we were on this past Thanksgiving a hand away from my triumph.
I'd like to share something that I have told to many over the years.
I have always thought it was cute.
My Dear Aunt was at a dance (perhaps a school dance) and a guy came up to ask her to dance. He introduced himself as Don Juan.
She said Oh and I am Cleopatra!!
Well, he was indeed "Don Whann"....
My dad, Bob Whann ( Don's brother) told me this many years ago.
I am sure Don was always teased about his name.
Can't you just see Megan saying that, then giving one of her big smiles.
Sorry I didn't see her too much over the years, but I have wonderful memories of my aunt & uncle and You kids in the 1950's & 1960's before we moved to Nevada.
Thoughts - Prayers and Much Love to all of Megan's Family.
Susie Whann Campiglia
Having you stop by the house from time to time Megan, was a special treat. I miss our chats as we drove to and from church. I miss our occasional cribbage game, even if I rarely won ! You were an inspiration with your upbeat attitude and ready smile. You made the world a better place.
Hank Jaeckel
Megan's encouraging words to me
I wanted to send all of Aunt Megan’s family big (((HUGS))) from our family to yours.
I’m sure only Aunt Megan and I know this, but she use to email me encouraging emails during our brutal childhood cancer journey with Christian. I would sit in the hospital with my very sick son and read her loving words she wrote to me. They always touched my heart because I could feel the compassion and love she had for me. She told me that Christian was lucky to have me for a mom, ‘nurse’, and advocate, and that she was very proud of me…what a priceless complement that I will always remember and cherish! Aunt Megan loved Susan Velasco too, and she said our family’s journey reminded her of their journey. She told me it was not right for kids to get cancer. I agree, and I wish she didn’t have to endure the effects of cancer either. Aunt Megan would also send me cards and always signed them “Love and Light, Aunt Megan.” I am going to go back to my old computer and see if I can find some of the emails. I would love to read them now.
The reason I am telling you this, is because I want you to know the thoughtful, compassionate, loving, and caring ways she touched my life…and that was only in the past 5 years. I have great memories of her caring ways and big smile during our childhood. I know you are well aware of how special she is, but I want you and your family to know we celebrate Aunt Megan’s life with you and are so thankful we were blessed to know her. Here memory will live on!!
I also want to thank you for requesting donations for our 501c3 childhood cancer non-profit foundation in lieu of flowers. Our foundation (Gold Rush Cure Foundation) is working hard to raise awareness and fund cures for childhood cancer. It truly touches our hearts that your family is encouraging others to join our efforts in memory of Aunt Megan.
I know how hard it is to lose a parent, but Aunt Megan has left a great legacy of love and compassion for her family and friends to remember her by!!
(((HUGS))),
Sandy (Gordon) Barker
Megan and I worked together for a year in Breckenridge in 1998. One day, she asked me whether I would teach her how to ski. I admired her courage to wanting to learn to ski at her age and I was amazed at how quickly she picked it up and enjoyed it. In exchange, she would treat me to a massage every once in a while. I got to know Megan as a wonderful, warm person who enjoyed life to its fullest. I am very saddened at her passing and send my deepest sympathy to her family. Megan will be in my thoughts.
Hiking
Hoozier Pass
looking into the Valley of South end of Summit County before entering into Park County. The valley we all loved and cherished. Megan was always up to ride anywhere, and I was always game to be the chauffeur... this was our last visit in Breckenridge..as soon after she moved to Tupelo, Ms.. a culture shock to say the least. I was already in Louisiana. How grateful for images to recall the extraordianry memories we shared.
Megan Duffy
the soft blue eyes of a deep spiritual soul.
Father Dyer group
Breckenridge, Colorado
Horse Therapy
Megan's Fox
Megan's sisters hands
One of Megan's greatest joys during this last part of her journey was the arrival of her sister, Alice Velasco. The brightness in my mother's eyes and in her face as her sister entered the hospital room was priceless. The hands in this picture belong to Alice.
Over the past several months, my mother and I had some deep conversations about the end of life, which while we didn't know would be coming so soon, we new it would eventually come. Mom had fears that stemmed from her childhood religious training. I mentioned to her that the Peruvians had a beautiful ceremony called a Despacho in which they put all types of symbols into a bundle and offer it to Pachamama (the Mother Earth). During her 23 days of hospitalization, we decided to use an adaption of the ceremony...we used leaves...such as the one Alice is holding...to contemplate parts of our lives that had hurt us, perhaps people that had wronged us, unfulfilled desires, thought about appreciations for people, etc. There were no set rules. We would hold a leaf while we thought about our own life or situation and then drop it into a bag. When things got really painful or scarey, Megan would drop a leaf into the bag. Family members also participated.
During the exploration, Megan was able to shift away from her fear of death and said this statement, "I am part of the continuation of life and it fills me with wonder."
A note to Alice: Thank you so much for coming. We love you.
The last visitor
Megan and all of her Children together
Aventures with Grandma in the mall
We all went to the mall to get Christmass pictures, Joe, Nancy,Brooke, Brianna Whann and grandma Megan. We were waiting for the pictures to be printed and somehow Brooke wandered away and gets lost in the mall. We had all of the mall security and local police seaching for her. What an experiance for all!
Mt. Ranier
It is amazing that my favorite mountain is still Mt. Ranier. Yes, my parents were adventurous (and before this date never had heard of white outs on Mr. Ranier). I'm the one in the shorts with the very cold hands. I'm crying in the picture but earlier in the day I was awestruck and delighted with the power of this majestic mountain. On that day, we hiked from Paradise Visitor center all the way to the ice caves...a mighty trek for little ones. Margee is still smiling.