Thank You from my Parents

To each and every one of you that attended the Police Benevolent fundraiser thank you so much. What a wonderful night. It was quite humbling. It was overwhelming.

I was physically and mentally exhausted just a short time into the event.  Like I said it was overwhelming.  All this has been very emotional and then hearing and seeing the support from co-workers, family, friends both old and new, business and community members some of whom I know and a lot that I didn’t know, it was … did I use the word “overwhelming” yet?

The one thing you can count on in life is change and how our lives have changed lately.  These last five months have truly been a challenge.  Actually our lives really started to change two years ago when I broke my leg.  Since then I’ve had 3 surgeries, lost my Mother to cancer and Dolly tragically lost her little sister. But during this time Dolly and I have been working on us.  We’ve been eating healthy, we quit drinking, smoking, we joined a health club, lost weight and do yoga regularly. We have been learning to communicate better with each other and others.  We realize now that we were being prepared for what we are now facing. We felt we were strong going into this.  But make no mistake we also realize we could not be doing this at all without all the support and love we have been getting from everyone around us. 

Ok, enough of that. As all you know the real reason we all are doing what we do is… Sam.   What a special kid.  We were so excited for her to being feeling well enough to attend Friday night.  That was the first real night she has had out since October when this all started. That kid has pretty much been bedridden from pain, fatigue and being poked, probed and filled with poison, and cut so many times it was a miracle that the timing of this event and her feeling good for the first time in months coincided. We were so happy so see her able to go out and having fun spending time with her family and friends.

While Sam may have looked a little different, those of you who know her could see that she still was the same great kid we all love.  You have to admire her for her positive attitude, strength and her fun spirited nature.  Sam knows she’s still early in this battle and she is courageously doing everything asked of her.  Sam is scheduled to go back into the hospital Tuesday for her next round of Chemo.  And in only the way Sam can, she has turned that into a positive by winning over the hearts of her hospital staff.  They all have become friends and have fun together. Thank you so much everyone up on the 6^th floor at Comer Hospital.

Nonnie also would have been very proud of you Sam for how you are dealing with all of this.  You’ve taken the same attitude in fighting her cancer as she did….It is what it is…deal with it.

 Nonnie, my mother, was so proud when I took the police job in Highland Park 26 years ago.  My Dad the attorney… took a little while to come around, but my mother said to me  back then “you know you’ll never be rich with that job, but if you keep your nose clean your fellow policemen and their families will be there for you in a time of need”.  She would have been proud to see what my friends at Highland Park did for us. 

To all the members of the Highland Park Police Benevolent Association lead by Bill Tellone thank you so much!  Bill, the only thing bigger than your endless energy is your heart, thank you. Leigh Delaney, Tommy, Ginger, Phil, Paul and so many others, thank you.  I do realize, whether you do or not, the incredible job you all did in such a short amount of time and with no experience in such an undertaking. I know how hard everyone worked and I also know there were a lot of people behind the scene that I don’t know about, thank you all.  But a special thank you to the Highland Park County Club, John Juul and Friends, the music was fantastic. Thank you everyone who made a donation including the donations for the raffle and auction. 

So many people have been doing so much for us I thought I mention a few more thank you’s.  I really am at a loss for the proper words of appreciation. 

Tim Benton, Mike Bonamarte, Hank Hoban, Bobby Frank.  The Geiger’s, Klemke’s, Podorgski’s, Rakoczy and Fahey Families.  Kira and Marlo, Connie for the photos, Judy for taking care of Bella.   Oh the list is way too long to list everyone here.  Thank you all so much!

But a another special thank you needs to be given out to Mary and the Wangler brothers.   We have a small house and when Sammy first came home she was sharing a room with her sister.  With all the 24/7 care and equipment Sam needs that wasn’t working out. Sam needed more space.  Three of Dolly’s brothers, each a owner of a different Wangler construction company, came over with a few employees and within two weeks constructed a beautiful new bedroom in our unfinished basement. Sam and her nurse now have the space they need and Alex loves it in her new private digs in the basement.   

Again I am overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness shown to Sammy and our family.  While I am at it I should also thank the rest of my kids for the sacrifices and changes they are being forced to go through.  I know our attention is on Sammy but we do recognize and appreciate what you’re going through too. 

And last but not least…my beautiful wife Dolly. You had to give up a job you loved to become a 24/7 nurse, and like everything else you do you do it so well.  Your energy and love is nonstop. You amaze me every day with your strengths and talents. 

Everything that is being done for us is truly making a big difference.  Our lives are so busy and seem so unmanageable right now, but all these things you all are doing is helping tremendously.  You have no idea.  Now with these funds raised for Sammy it is helping take off a lot of stress and pressure and given us so much hope.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  Lots of Love   Chris Cipolla & family