A letter from my dad- (Please read) Dear All, Attached is a registration form for a fund raiser the WHS Class of 2016 is putting on. I’m not in charge or involved much more than spreading the word and attempting to train in an effort to finish the walk / run without someone needing to call in Life Flight for me. I would like to share a few thoughts about this event though. As far as I know, this started out as something the class wanted to do for us in an effort to raise funds for any memorials or scholarships that are or will be in Ruby-Ann’s name. What an awesome gesture! We are very appreciative of the thoughts they have for us and their classmate. I hope they realize the feelings are mutual. After Karen and I heard of this and why they were doing it, we both agreed that we didn’t need the money right now and hoped that they would keep it for themselves. They have a Prom to finance and a senior trip in another year. We want them to have the most awesome time at both that they can. We’re sure these funds would help. We both feel that this event can be a lot of fun, raise funds they need and at the very least, honor their friend. Something else I’d like to share about this class that some may have put in the back of their minds and others may have never known about or put two and two together, is that Ruby-Ann wasn’t the first friend and classmate this group of kids has lost. When they were 6 years old, they lost Bailey Kistner to a battle against cancer. Bailey was a very special girl and a fighter, just like Ruby-Ann. They were “bestest” friends since they were babies as Derek and Crystal and us were very good friends as well. They were born about a month apart, shared birthday cake every year and so on and on. We have many videos and pictures of them together, at least up to Bailey’s illness. Ruby-Ann even mentioned in a writing we found that should something happen to her while she were young, she possibly be buried next to Bailey. I guess what I’m trying to say is, this group of young people have been through a lot as well. We all know our own pain and deal with it every day. What we don’t know, truly, is how they cope and feel; what they do or will remember. I don’t feel particularly sorry for them, things happen that we can’t control. We all have to deal with those instances and to say the least, it sucks. What I do feel is that they deserve condolence as well. They’ve lost two friends, both at a young age. That’s gotta be tough. I’m not asking, for them, your money. I’m asking for them, your support. Being there to walk, run, roll or however you have to get through a mile or three, or simply spectate, is what’s important to me. I want them to know they have the support that we had the last several months and continue to receive. This isn’t about Ruby-Ann or Bailey. It’s for a couple of handfuls of kids who are trying to do what they feel is important to them; what makes them feel good. To me, that’s worthy of our support, whole-heartedly! I hope to see you all there, (I’ll be in the sweaty heap in the ditch along the route somewhere)! I’d really like to overwhelm them with our support! With deepest appreciation and respect, Steve Milliken
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 02:53:48 +0000