05/11/2020
Here are Bruce (60), Susan (57), Mac (29), Alyssa (27), Kat and Bubba (22), Jake 4 1/2, Ollie 2, Louie 8 months.
Bruce, Mac and I are still employed. Alyssa, Kathryn and Gregory have all been laid off. Alyssa just completed her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy and was job hunting when Covid 19 hit. Kat just graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree. I am working from home, Bruce is still going into the office and has staggered his staff so they are able to provide a safe environment for all. Bruce and I have been married for almost 34 years. We have weathered some difficult storms but have always done it together!
We were so excited about the month of May—our son Mac and Alyssa were getting married. Their wedding was scheduled for May 1st and they had to reschedule to September of this year. Mac and Alyssa handled the rescheduling of their wedding with a very positive attitude and it's clear to all who meet them they are an amazing couple and very in love.
Our son Bubba will be celebrating 3 years of remission on May 9th after two bouts with a very aggressive form of childhood cancer. We surprised him and my daughter, Kat (his twin), who graduated from college with a parade right after this photo was taken! His first diagnosis was his senior year of High School and his second diagnosis came at the end of his freshman year of College. He was treated with 48 weeks of chemo and 8 weeks of radiation the first diagnosis and had a very difficult surgery and 6 additional weeks of radiation. He is an amazing courageous, strong young man and we are so blessed that he survived this awful disease. We started along with dear friends a non profit to support families who have children battling cancer. It is the Bubba Strong Charitable Fund and we are thrilled to be able to give back just a small piece of the support we were provided by family, friends and our community.
His twin sister Kat was scheduled to graduate from Bridgewater State University on May 16th this was going to be another big May celebration. Kat was diagnosed with Type 1 her senior year of high school and managed to make the Deans list during a very difficult time in our lives.
We have done a lot of tik tok video's, (I had never heard of tik tok before Covid 19). Kat and Bubba built a driving range in the back yard. My husband made corn hole boards for us to play. They have been swinging golf clubs in the range whenever the weather has permitted. Mac, Alyssa and Louie stop in over the weekends and we sit outside 6 feet apart and it is wonderful to have some regular family time with good food and great conversation. We really are a typical family we love, support and help one another through the good the bad and the ugly.”