Once upon a time there was a beautiful Grand Duchess named Heather. She had long, beautiful hair and the most amazing blue eyes. She was kindhearted, compassionate and very loving and giving. One day an evil monster named acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoma attacked the beautiful Duchess. Heather fought the evil monster with all her heart and soul. The evil monster would be defeated. But unknown to the royal family, major damage had been done to the Duchess and soon she would no longer be here. Before she died, the King and Queen gave her a Grand Ball to celebrate her defeat of the evil monster. Enjoy the rest of the story...
The dress was perfect and so was Heather. A few finishing touches; earrings and necklace of aquamarine to match the dress, perfumed body glitter, her royal tiara and the Grand Duchess was ready. She waited with her grandpa for the white limo to pick her up. Right before I left she had asked me “how do I walk”? Heather meant how fast or slow should she walk through the family and friends lined with sparklers for her entrance. I told her however she wanted to, it was her day. She bent over, kissed me on my cheek, like she so often would and said she would see me on the walkway. (Meaning the high fashion model walkway)
Heather with her Grandpa Blackburn
The next time I saw Heather she was glowing. Escorted by her Grandpa she smiled and looked at all friends and family beaming back at her. Gayle threw kisses as she walked by. It was the grand entrance that fairy tales are made of. Dave Martin, Heather’s 3rd grade teacher and a dear friend gave the first toast. He spoke about what Heather had learned in class but what he had learned from her. Gayle got emotional as she spoke her love to Heather. The King and Queen had their turn to thank family and friends and to share a little of their feelings.
Heather and Gwen
The food was wonderful. I know everyone had more than enough to eat. The cake was special order just for Heather. She and I had been to meet with Nancy to sample some cake and make our decision. Just like a wedding, we saved the top portion just for Heather. It was red velvet with a hint of chocolate in the icing. Cutting the cake was fun for Heather. She had never done that before. Once she had the piece on the plate she swiped her finger into the icing and stuck it in her mouth. A very “Heather” thing to do.
All to soon, the evening ended. Heather asked me if that was what it was like on your wedding day. Time seemed to go so far for her. We cleaned up and said our goodbyes. Heather arrived in the limo, so how would she be getting home? She decided to ride with John in the Jeep. She crawled into the front seat with her ball gown on and buckled in. The Jeep did not have the windows on so in classic Heather fashion, she took off her wig and rode home. She was all a giggle when she came home telling us about the looks she got from cars stopped at red lights. It would be something to see a beautiful Duchess in a ball gown with no hair, well very short, short hair.
Our new family-Banner Baywood Staff
Chris, Shawna, Gayle, Emily, Heather, Stacey, Erin, Jan, Deb
Heather kisses and twirls with cousin Addy
Once home we all went out into the backyard with the leftover sparklers and lit them up. We all laughed and had a great time. Nothing makes you feel like a kid more than sparklers. It was a fun and glorious moment. Heather was happy. This was the party to end all parties. This was the one that said we were finished. Life could begin again. I was told by the nursing staff that most people do not give big parties like that. It seemed only natural to me to give Heather a grand ball for all that she had been through. Bill told me it was more like a wedding reception just without the groom. Little did any of us know how true that statement would become. The Grand Duchess Cancer Survivor Ball was her wedding. The only one I got to plan for Heather.
As the memory of that wonderful night race through my memory, I remember every detail of the day and night. I am very sad that my Duchess is no longer here. Heather would wear her ball gown and accessories again. Dressed for her final ball just as she had been 5 months earlier. The beautiful ball gown is now gone forever. All that remains are the memories, her jewelry, purse, shoes and tiara. Her tiara placed lovingly a top the heart box that contains the Grand Duchess. It sits silently, yet ever sparkling never to be worn again.
Heather shows Kaitlyn her royal shoes
The dress was perfect and so was Heather. A few finishing touches; earrings and necklace of aquamarine to match the dress, perfumed body glitter, her royal tiara and the Grand Duchess was ready. She waited with her grandpa for the white limo to pick her up. Right before I left she had asked me “how do I walk”? Heather meant how fast or slow should she walk through the family and friends lined with sparklers for her entrance. I told her however she wanted to, it was her day. She bent over, kissed me on my cheek, like she so often would and said she would see me on the walkway. (Meaning the high fashion model walkway)
Heather with her Grandpa BlackburnThe next time I saw Heather she was glowing. Escorted by her Grandpa she smiled and looked at all friends and family beaming back at her. Gayle threw kisses as she walked by. It was the grand entrance that fairy tales are made of. Dave Martin, Heather’s 3rd grade teacher and a dear friend gave the first toast. He spoke about what Heather had learned in class but what he had learned from her. Gayle got emotional as she spoke her love to Heather. The King and Queen had their turn to thank family and friends and to share a little of their feelings.
Heather and GwenThe food was wonderful. I know everyone had more than enough to eat. The cake was special order just for Heather. She and I had been to meet with Nancy to sample some cake and make our decision. Just like a wedding, we saved the top portion just for Heather. It was red velvet with a hint of chocolate in the icing. Cutting the cake was fun for Heather. She had never done that before. Once she had the piece on the plate she swiped her finger into the icing and stuck it in her mouth. A very “Heather” thing to do.
All to soon, the evening ended. Heather asked me if that was what it was like on your wedding day. Time seemed to go so far for her. We cleaned up and said our goodbyes. Heather arrived in the limo, so how would she be getting home? She decided to ride with John in the Jeep. She crawled into the front seat with her ball gown on and buckled in. The Jeep did not have the windows on so in classic Heather fashion, she took off her wig and rode home. She was all a giggle when she came home telling us about the looks she got from cars stopped at red lights. It would be something to see a beautiful Duchess in a ball gown with no hair, well very short, short hair.
Our new family-Banner Baywood StaffChris, Shawna, Gayle, Emily, Heather, Stacey, Erin, Jan, Deb
Heather kisses and twirls with cousin AddyOnce home we all went out into the backyard with the leftover sparklers and lit them up. We all laughed and had a great time. Nothing makes you feel like a kid more than sparklers. It was a fun and glorious moment. Heather was happy. This was the party to end all parties. This was the one that said we were finished. Life could begin again. I was told by the nursing staff that most people do not give big parties like that. It seemed only natural to me to give Heather a grand ball for all that she had been through. Bill told me it was more like a wedding reception just without the groom. Little did any of us know how true that statement would become. The Grand Duchess Cancer Survivor Ball was her wedding. The only one I got to plan for Heather.
As the memory of that wonderful night race through my memory, I remember every detail of the day and night. I am very sad that my Duchess is no longer here. Heather would wear her ball gown and accessories again. Dressed for her final ball just as she had been 5 months earlier. The beautiful ball gown is now gone forever. All that remains are the memories, her jewelry, purse, shoes and tiara. Her tiara placed lovingly a top the heart box that contains the Grand Duchess. It sits silently, yet ever sparkling never to be worn again.
Heather shows Kaitlyn her royal shoes
I wanted you to know that I am reading your posts about your beautiful daughter.
ReplyDeleteJudy