Tyler - 17 year old fighting cancer!

Tyler - 17 year old fighting cancer!
Ready for Battle!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

So so thankful

Once again, Team Tyler thanks you for your continued prayers, devotion, love, care and generosity. If you are reading this blog, prayed for Tyler, sent a card, brought a meal or donated anything over the last year, we're grateful for you. There are no words that can properly express the amount of gratitude we have for all of you!

Wednesday's fundraiser was no exception. The turnout was, once again, overwhelming. I know I will leave names off, so this is by no means a complete list, but I would at least like to acknowledge many of you who devoted your time, energy and money to Tyler and Michelle.

ALL of the food was donated, which included pasta, sauce, salad, bread, meatballs, sausage, beverages and lots of desserts. Those were made by the kind people that are in connection with this family and companies and restaurants like National Coney Island, Andary's, Aldi's, Caramango, Tyson and Stan Ye.

There were lots of people that spent many hours helping to cook, set up, sell tickets, donate baskets, keep the food coming, etc. But, a special thanks to Tyler's Papa Bill and Grandma Didi, to my mom and dad (Cindy and Don), the staff at National Coney (Austin, Sandy, Kyle, Tiffany, Brook, and probably a couple more I'm leaving out) and to our close friends and family...Patty, Cheri, Tammy, Cindy Baca, Dayna, Josh, David and Mary, Aunt Juanita, Uncle Al, Dee Marie, John Tobin, Chrissy, Athena, Dawn, Ellen, Shorty, Cheryl and Terry (and again some I probably forgot to name). 

In the pictures below, you'll also see everyone running around in their Team Tyler gear (donated by Jimmy Nelson) and sporting prayer bracelets for Tyler (donated by Michelle's close friend Kelly's mom).

I'm sure I left someone off the lists above, so again, I'm sorry if I did. We still appreciate you, I just don't have the best memory and didn't write names down.

Thank you again to all of those who attended and donated. We are so very grateful for each and every one of you.

Tyler took a break from treatments over the last couple of weeks because he had made it his goal to enjoy his 19th birthday (to the best of his ability) and to make it to the fundraiser. This strong guy accomplished both of those goals in the same week. We were more than thrilled to see him and Michelle at the fundraiser.

I do want to make one more very special HUGE thank you to a really brave young man, BJ. This is Tyler's best friend and probably the main reason that Tyler made it to the fundraiser. He really wanted to see his friend. Tyler came and stayed for over 2 hours. BJ came and sat by Tyler's side almost the entire time. I couldn't pass by the table without being overwhelmed with emotion. Sometimes, all it takes is a good friend to sit by your side, on your best of days and your worst. Thank you, BJ, for the friendship you have shown Tyler for most of his life, especially this last year. Everyone deserves a good friend like you!
BJ and Tyler

 
Below are some more pictures from a most successful night. Thank you again.

Love,
Team Tyler
Papa Bill and Aunt Tammy

Tyler and his dad, Tim

Some of the youngest members of Team Tyler

Uncle Rob and Lydia

Our other little Team Tyler guys

Tyler, Michelle, Aunt Patty, Aunt Tammy and Aunt Cheri

Chrissy and Tam

Baca selling the 50/50

Michelle's sisters

Me, Blake, Ty and Shellz - looking at the wrong camera :)

Alenna - made 18 duct tape purses which earned $73.10 in donations for Ty
Uncle Don (Master Chef and Social Director)

Dayna manning the bar (and donating all her tips to Ty)







Friday, November 1, 2013

Happy 19th Birthday, Tyler!

Today, Tyler turns 19 years old. I can't believe how fast it seems the year has gone by, but also what a long year it has been. Life is funny that way, I guess.

Tyler had a little family gathering today. He sat up in a chair for most of the time, enjoyed a little chicken, potatoes and cake...and even let people take pictures of him! So he had a good little bday party.

I put a pretty lengthy post out there, on this day, last year to tell you a bit about Tyler and this family that surrounds him. But wow, this year has taught me so much more than I could have ever imagined. First, I feel like I never really knew Tyler. I mean, I knew him...but I guess I didn't know what made up that boy we all loved so much. I've said it so many times over the last year, but man, I would have never guessed there was such a strong, brave, fighter under that shy exterior. Quite frankly, there have been many times over this last year that I didn't know if we would see this day, his 19th birthday. But through all the tests and trials, and pain and suffering, Tyler pulls through. Every time, he pulls through.

I know that this can't be by his strength alone. I'm thankful for this great cloud of witnesses that has surrounded us and lifted him up in prayer. And I'm very grateful to my Heavenly Father for answering those prayers. I'm also thankful for his support team (his mom and the rest of "Team Tyler"), as well as amazing nurses and doctors.

And this, this is the biggest thing I've learned this year. I've learned what Moses meant in Psalm 90 when he asked God to teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. I always thought this was a strange prayer. Why would we need to be taught to number our days? Then, tragedy struck and suddenly we were counting minutes and hours and soon days, for Tyler. When life becomes so precious, it begins to put everything in perspective. You forgive more easily, you love more deeply, you become more urgent with what is important. I guess Tim McGraw wasn't the first to sing about it ;)

I thank God for continuing to give Tyler his "tomorrows". I'll continue to pray for more of those, along with his healing, comfort and peace. I'm thankful for Tyler and the blessing he has been to this family for 19 years.

Never ever give up, buddy! Stay strong!
------------------------------------------------

As for me, I pray the Lord would continue to teach me to number my days.

Psalm 90

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn people back to dust,
    saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
A thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.
Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
    they are like the new grass of the morning:
In the morning it springs up new,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.
We are consumed by your anger
    and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath;
    we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
    Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
    that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor[a] of the Lord our God rest on us;
    establish the work of our hands for us—
    yes, establish the work of our hands.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Fundraiser tonight at 5:00

It has been Tyler's goal to make an appearance tonight. Praying he will feel up to it and have the strength and endurance to come for a bit.

We would love to have you join us for an evening of fun and dinner.

Here are the details:

Spaghetti Dinner to Benefit Tyler Kurkierewicz 

Wednesday, October 30th
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

National Coney Island Chip Shotz
22185 Masonic Blvd
St. Clair Shores MI 48082

$20.00 per person - all you can eat
12 and under Free
Cash Bar

Door Prizes, Raffles, 50/50

All proceeds directly benefit Tyler and Michelle Kurkierewicz. 

If you can't make it, but still want to make a donation to Michelle and Tyler, we set up a secure way to do that on GoFundMe. Just follow this link - http://www.gofundme.com/1drbvk

Thank you for all of your support and prayers over the last year. We hope to see you tonight.
Jettie