John Pelka March 2, 1945- Aug. 24, 2007

Friendships that go back 35 years and more are rare. I am so blessed to have one of those with my wonderful friends, John and Karen Pelka. I can almost remember that first meeting. We had just moved into Buffalo Grove, Greg was maybe 2 1/2 and Chris not quite one. With the boys in a wagon, I started down our street and met Karen, a cute, outgoing young wife. We struck up a friendship. Karen and John got to know us and soon my sister, Lin and her husband Phil. Lin and Karen's first babies were born within two weeks of each other...

The zillions of stories, the parties, the potato gun, the camping adventures, small groups, John's Harley, the laughs, the memories spanning two marriages for me...all zeroed in, to right now. John entered heaven Friday night, a few minutes before midnight. Most of it is still too tender to even think about writing here. It is John and Karen's story. A great love story; a story that was filled with family, fun, many friends, emotion and a love for Christ, apparent to the end. Cancer, the culprit, seemingly ending this story too soon, but what Karen and I know is there was great rejoicing in heaven as John entered...Lin, Laurie, waving him in. That is a where faith brings peace, beyond understanding.

Late May this year Uncle John and Rylan compare noggins.

Gosh, we had fun at Joe and Libby's wedding.

The Pelka's on Joe's Wedding Day.

Steph and her sweet dad.

First go around with John's battle

The Birthday Princess Brooke! Happy 16th!

What's not to smile about?

Give Brooke a paintball gun, it'll make a grown man scream!

I love this girl...

Day 14, I am a non smoker!

I think our trip was the perfect way to break some of my old smoking habits. And this medication is so helpful in really taking away the urge to smoke; I am a non-smoker now as my Uncle Ray reminded me.

The irony is that with Pete's dad still in the hospital and his mom needing some help; our computer system down at work; and some changes happening around here, I have not felt compelled to cheat. And the worry part of being a mom is right there, ever present. Read Greg's blog for a peek into what is going on with the Malaysian Boncimino's. Ugh. But I still don't need a cigarette to de-stress. What a monkey off my back.

Two handsome husbands with Margie and me.

Isn't this just too beautiful?

Pete and a pretty pony...

Fred, is this you?

Cheers...

Our hike to Royal Gorge Bridge. Wow.

Colorado is such a beautiful state...

Our horseback riding adventure was so fun...

Uncle Ray, Jodine and Lois preparing the Silent Auction for the Realy for Life Event.

Trinidad CO, Survivors Lap, awesome.

Trackside Luminaria for Pete's mom, a cancer survivor.

7:00 AM and the Relay for Life comes to an end.

Update...

It seems important for me to report in that Pete and I had the most wonderful , relaxing, fun filled six days. Our trip to Colorado, covering the state from Windsor/Loveland to the north all the way down to the bottom of the state, Trinidad, was God blessed. Pictures will come later but suffice it to say that meeting with 18 different family and friends over these days, time with Mark and Margie and her sons, Gail and Bob, and Bob's relatives, cousin Laurie and family at the Relay for Life and Shelley and Jackie and Mark, so good. The nature we got to experience,
the laughs we had, a gift. Thanks, cousin Laurie, for asking us.

Pete and I clearly recognize that God gave us this little respite; Kristin calling late the night before we left with her emergency car deal, Pete's dad going to Northwest Community by ambulance Saturday, other big complications...we still went and I am so thankful. Thanks, God. You lead us into green pastures.

Ah, the long sought after fish...

Day 4 Smoke Free, Yippee!

August 1st was Day 1 of my journey to become a non-smoker. I am taking a med called Chantix that takes away the desire to smoke. Prior to Day 1 I was taking a graduating dosage of the prescription leading to Quit Day. Honestly, I woke up Wednesday morning and had no immediate thought to lighting up. Almost not believing this possible, I moved through the morning traffic, work frustrations and the drive home without having a cigarette. Now I really don't want to admit this but I loved to smoke. Smoking covered many stresses, was my reward, my rebellion and probably lots more. And now I don't want to. I am hopeful that by going a day at a time, I will have made it to the land of nice smelling non smokers. Thanks for the many notes of encouragement.

And this morning our patience paid off, Denver, Hayden and I made fishing history (for us at least!) We caught two fish! Granted they were pretty itsy-bitsy but they were real live fish. Denver reeled 'em in, Hayden manned the Shrek 3 net and Grandma removed the hook. (Yuck!) Breakfast at McDonald's and we called it a morning.

Three prayer requests. 1. Teen Camp at LGYC starts tomorrow. Pray for safety, and teens to turn their hearts to God. 2. Pete and I go to Colorado for some R and R and to help be part of a Relay for Life my sweet cousin Laurie is co-chair of in Trinidad CO. We covet your prayers for travels and for life here at home for Katie and the kids. 3. Our dear friends, John and Karen, as John undergoes another serious treatment to get his cancer into remission. The whole family is exhausted and could really use all our prayers for a good outcome. They also know He holds them every step of the way. Thanks so much...