we were done and her mom changed Chase into dry clothes she accidentally left her swimsuit at my house. So like a good Tia, I washed it and hung it to dry in my laundry room where it stayed for the next 15 ½ years.
One of my favorite memories of Chase is when she was around 5 or 6 I think. It was her birthday party. The whole family was there and it was time for her to open gifts. Her little friend was watching eagerly and attempting to help her open presents. Her friend would pick out a gift and hand it to her. I was sitting close to the girls and I heard her friend say, “Here Chase open THIS one. It looks REALLY special” then Chase turns to her and whispers, “Don’t you know? They’re ALL special.” This just made my heart melt-children teaching wisdom to other children. How beautiful is that? From a young age Chase demonstrated grace and good character. Everyone would say she is beautiful inside and out.
Chase has brought me so much joy throughout the years. You know how it goes. You sit through 3 hour recitals to see your family perform 3 minutes on stage. But it was always worth it. I was so thrilled when she showed an interest in acting as that was my emphasis in school. She was a voice-over actor in a few of our radio-plays at the station I worked. She was definitely bitten by the drama bug. In high school we watched her perform and sing. She is such a talented young lady. I couldn’t be more proud. Her future is as big and bright as her beautiful blue eyes.
This past November we attended her 16th birthday dinner. Family, friends and several of her besties were there. She opened one of her gifts from me and looked puzzled. Her mother squealed, “That was YOUR swimsuit when you were a baby!” Even though it was hard for me to give it back, I thought she’d get a kick out of having it. I said, “Look how tiny you were Chase.” Her girlfriends ooohed and aaaahed. Then, Chase turns to me and asked me to hold on to it till someday when she has a daughter. There she goes again…melting my heart and teaching us wisdom.
aaaahed. Then, Chase turns to me and asked me to hold on to it till someday when she has a daughter. There she goes again…melting my heart and teaching us wisdom.
This past January, Chase was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She has faced doctors, hospitals, needles and chemo with that same positive attitude. I would call and ask how she was doing and she ALWAYS would say she is doing GREAT! Whether she felt ill or scared, she always carried herself with poise and grace. As of today, chemo is done, the cancer is gone and she started her school year with her friends. I’m so happy she is healthy…she has so much more wisdom to teach us. ~Tia Susan
GREAT! Whether she felt ill or scared, she always carried herself with poise and grace. As of today, chemo is done, the cancer is gone and she started her school year with her friends. I’m so happy she is healthy…she has so much more wisdom to teach us. ~Tia Susan