Last year at this time, I was cheering alongside Sue’s family and friends at the Minneapolis-St. Paul 3 Day for the Cure. Standing by my side: Szaba (well, she was crawling actually), my hilarious nephew Aaron, my sweet niece Ali, and Sue’s phenomenal mother, Shirley.
As my Facebook page so kindly keeps reminding me, it’s Sue’s birthday today. Trust me: I know. Not coincidentally, I started this blog one year ago in her honor. Lately, I’ve been putting a lot of thought into what I want to do with it going forward—and what you want from it. I wrote lists. … More 1-Year Blogiversary
Besides my sister Robin, there’s no one in the world I’ve been friends with longer than Amber. And yet, even I had no idea what to say to her when I found out her younger brother had died in a car crash. Four years later, this Castle Heart project finally gave me the nerve to … More Reach Out
What’s your favorite fairy tale? Mine is the one in which I’m a children’s book author. When I was little, I imagined it as: unknown girl is destined, acts, triumphs, and lives happily ever after. Maybe even throw in a TODAY show appearance. But that flight of fancy didn’t take into account the state of the … More Publishing: Choose Your Own Adventure
As most of you know, since my mother-in-law’s death I’ve been on a mission to find ways to keep the memory of Sue alive for my baby girl. That desire, in turn, sparked a passion to help other families in the same situation. Unfortunately, I have many close friends mourning the loss of a parent, right … More Arroz Con Pollo
Here are some of the many special people we’re remembering today and a little snapshot as to why. I hope this little project brings a bit joy to your day and spurs you to share a story of a loved one with those around you. If you’d like to add your own memory here, it’s … More Memorial Day Remembrances
Okay, I admit. This is kind of a weighty thing to throw out there. But as I’ve mentioned before, I’m working on a book for kids who won’t have a chance to personally know an integral family member who’s died. It’s an issue that, sadly, will affect a lot of kids (my daughter included). Yet children’s … More Children’s Books About Death
I have a life-changing treasure tucked away in the “Draft” folder of my e-mail. The subject line reads: The best Xmas gift I could ever give both of us I wrote it and read it to Sue on December 2, 2010, hours before she died. In truth, I had started it a few days earlier … More “The List”
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, witnessing the 3 Day did something to me. It called forth a booming rallying cry in my soul. It challenged me to make a difference in the lives of others, but especially for cancer victims and their families. Months ago I started dabbling with a children’s book … More The Book Walk
This site is dedicated in loving memory to Sue LaGow A week from today, Sue would’ve been 65. Instead, she is gone, robbed of the rest of her incomparable life by breast cancer. In title, Sue was my mother-in-law. More importantly, she was my mentor, inspiration, and dearest friend. And there are literally hundreds of people who would … More In Loving Memory
My Castle Heart Publications 