So - I am sure many of you may know - Halloween is my favorite holiday.  I am very excited to share about the Halloween Party I attended and share photos... maybe even a video... but things are not ready to be uploaded yet.  Next week.


This week I am going to share some of my favorite memories of Joe by photo.  One way I find comfort is looking at old photos and remembering all the great times I was able to have with Joe.  I also love to hear other's memories too - it's good therapy.  So - Please look at the photos and if you have a moment, share one of your favorite memories.  This helps me keep Joe alive in my heart.


Enjoy!

Love - Rachel

This week flew by.  Here are some moments…

-Attending a wedding …Joe made it to the wedding too, as I walked to my car I noticed a Frito Truck parked across the road

-Friends…Seeing a lot of Joe’s Our friends and sharing many laughs

-Staying up til 3 am sipping wine and chatting by a fire

-Realizing it’s hard to drive to a wedding alone – hear a song that brings back memories – and not smear your mascara everywhere J

-A Pootza and great company

-Making a Halloween Costume that can’t be beat!

-Snuggling / playing with the kids at the day care.  Their laughter and innocence is contagious

-Wondering how the heck my furnace got turned on…(Seriously, I think Joe did it.  He used to tell me I was too cheap and we needed to turn up the heat…He won this time.)

-6 commitments in one day = CRAZY Rachel

-Watching Grey’s Anatomy with good company (talking only allowed during commercials)

-Getting very excited to start my new job

-Watching two friends fall in love

-Sharing memories, life experiences and knowing there are always others out there to help you gain perspective

-Telling some others that I need a personal assistant…Some may think wishful thinking, but if anyone is interested…I will admit the job description is a little demanding, you must be on-call and available 24 / 7

-Working on a new website for Muddy Hands

-Running / walking in the rain

 

So, as I was trying to think of what to write tonight – I just started jotting down the notes above.  These notes…This is how I keep going.  I am surrounded by love, support, friendship and much, much more…Joe. 

Joe – although you are not here, and I miss the heck out of you, I will never lose HOPE and I will always Believe.  I hope things will get easier.  I hope everyone can find peace and believe too.  I hope to see you again (soon or later).  I hope to always have a list of notes each week to be thankful for and remind me to hope for another good moment, for 5 mins. of laughter, or just the simple desire to HOPE.

 

I love you Mr. Joe Vogel and I hope you had a good week too.  I believe that you did.

 

Sending Love and Hugs –

Rachel, Zoe and Skittles


PS - Next week I will try out the update system I have in place with email.  If you would still like to receive updates when the blog is update - please email 
TeamVogel@hotmail.com

The Elder, Mr. Scott Schultz, wins the Homerun Derby!!  A big thank you to the WSU students who hosted the event and all who attend.  The event brought in approx. $350 to Team Vogel.  Each event that is hosted on behalf of Team Vogel or for Team Vogel – keeps Joe’s dream alive.  So – Thank you!

 

Next up – there was a Team Vogel Board Meeting this weekend too and we have some big dates to announce… (More details to follow…but…MARK YOUR CALENDARS)

 

Feb. 19th - 1st Annual Bowling Tournament / Chili Cook-off

 

May 14th – 1st Annual Team Vogel Golf Outing at Cedar Valley

 

We hope to add an Upcoming Events Tab to the website, where we will be able to post all events and who to contact for more information.  I am so excited to see these additions.  Watch out Bowlers – I throw a mean rock J.




A side note - if you would like to continue receiving an update, when the I update the blog, please email teamvogel@hotmail.com.  This way I will be able to create a distribution list and not rely on the caring bridge site.  Hope to hear from you.

 

Now – before you continue reading…I must confess, it has been a long weekend for I have been cooped up in the house with a nasty bug (alone, except for a few brave guests) and I had a lot of time to think.  So, I needed a little therapy – and the blog gets my thoughts today…

 

 

I’m broken … but I am finding the pieces -

 

I will admit – I am broken.  My life feels like it has been shattered into pieces a couple times now…when Joe was first diagnosed in 2006, when the cancer returned in 2009, and when Joe finally was able to be at peace in August.

 

It’s a pretty crappy feeling, I won’t lie, but what bothers me the most is - these are all events I (we) had no control over.  The only control I (we) ever had / have is what to do with the time we have.  So as I continue to make my way through each day – I wouldn’t say it gets easier, but I find myself picking up some pieces and putting them back into place.  I will never be the same person I was, because part me is gone.  I can’t replace this one missing piece, but I will find a way to mend that area with time and make the most of what time I have.

 

A new piece will be picked up this coming November when I begin a new job.  This past week I was offered and accepted a new position with the Miller Mentoring Program in Winona.  I am super excited for this opportunity.  I will definitely miss working at the assisted living, for I truly had co-workers who were great co-workers but more importantly friends.  I will miss the residents and the knowledge they passed on to me – but… They can’t get rid of me that easy, I will be setting up my weekly manicure sessions this next week.

 

With this new piece coming, I feel as though I am gaining new pieces, mending, rather than losing pieces everyday.

 

As life continues on – I did reach a new hurdle this weekend.  I came down with a nasty bug.  I will be honest, I HATE being sick (Who doesn’t) and I complain a lot when I am sick.  Well – my dog just doesn’t cut it…I complain to her and she tilts her head a little.  I really missed having Joe here.  Not that he could have done anything to help – but he was always so good about listening and just telling me to go back to bed, cracking a joke, or just watching a movie with me.  SO – thank you to my family and friends for listening to me complain about being sick.  I seriously think complaining helps get rid of the bug J.   (Joe would totally disagree on this – for he never complained – opposites attract I guess).

 

It’s amazing how something so simple as being sick, can make you miss someone more, when you are already missing them more than you could ever imagine.

 

Peace and Love

-Rachel




PS - Thank you to the kind individual who sent me the beautiful picture featured in the post today.  I love it!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  It was a busy one here...a little running - some sewing - a beautiful wedding to attend - a craft sale - and a field show.  All in all it was a great weekend with many great events.  It was pretty cool to see my first Cotter Field Show, for those of you who really knew Joe - he was a big drumliner (not sure if that is a band term).  I didn't get to see him preform in person, for our paths had not crossed yet - but he made sure to show me video a few times...


Alright - So I am sure your attention was drawn to the flyer featured before my post here.  Some WSU students approached Team Vogel and wanted to host an event for one of their classes, that would benefit Team Vogel.  We were super excited to be apart of this and we hope all of you will take a moment to stop down this Sunday and support their event.


HOMERUN DERBY
-Sunday, October 17th-
12p - Registration Begins
1p - Homerun Derby Begins


There will be hotdogs and brats for all the hard working participants and the cheerleaders in the crowd.  The Homerun winner will receive an authentic Twins jersey and all places will receive multiple gift certificates to local eating establishments.  It will be a great time and after the derby - everyone is invited to stop down at Bub's where the awards will be distributed and good food and drinks are always available at Bub's.


I'm putting my money on the elder entries - the non-WSU participants...Now come on - don't let me down :)


If you have any questions - send us an email at teamvogel@hotmail.com

Hope to see many of you there!

...Although I try not to count the days, I am always aware how many it has been seen I've seen you Joe.  I miss you more and more and the empty void that was left is still so very empty.  With that being said - I BELIEVE that you are happy and healthy.  I am sure you miss all of us too, but enjoy not feeling sick - not throwing up - not struggling to catch your breath...You are Joe Vogel again!  Although I don't like living without you - I would rather live in different places right now if that means you can be healthy and not sick.  I promise I will live each day to the fullest, because I know you are too.  Somehow you passed your strength to me and I can do this.  143 forever and always.

...and Zoe wants you to know - I just don't cut it when it comes to cuddling, so she is looking forward to the day she can jump on your recliner and snuggle in.  (Possibly even give you a nose snort)

...Skittles sends a head-butt to the ankle.

Sending my love to all of you and remember to take time - it's all we have.
Love - Rach

Picture of the Best Guy in the World - He could hear the ocean :)


So this week I would like to share an essay written by our niece, Kirsten.  Joe touched so many lives - young and old.  Kirsten this is amazing - Enjoy...


Joe
 
My Uncle Joe was a great person.... He dedicated his life to Cancer.  Helping the people with it, worrying about all the people that have it, living it.
 
Joe was a Cancer survivor himself, but it came back in the year 2009.  Right at that moment it became clear to my Aunt Rachel that there was a BIG challenge to face ahead.
 
Rachel is Joes wife, they got married in 2006. When you get married and say your vows... the one about," I will be there for you in sickness and in Health." That vow became true for Rachel.
 
Joe began treatment once again, but this time it wasn’t easy for him. Considering Joe had brain cancer, and caner all down his spine. Joe fought and he fought hard, so when you think of Joe, I hope these words come to mind: LEAD, GIVE, SERVE, HELP, SHARE.
 
When you say or hear the name Joe Vogel, or Rachel Vogel. You should think, or say after a kind word in prayer for them......say" THANK GOD!!!JOE WAS HERE!!!"
 
 
I LOVE AND MISS YOU!!
Kirsten
 
P.S. Rachel... thanks for assisting him in his work of wonder.

Hope everyone is doing well and GO TWINS!
Love - Rach