After a wonderful send off Sunday night that included lots of hugs from friends and family and a touching toast from Steve McCall, I have arrived in Houston (barely though, since I overslept for my flight Wed morning, which won't surprise any of you who know me well, not to mention that I hadn't even finished packing!). Nevertheless, I am here and loving my new surroundings! I am being spoiled by The Jim Burns Foundation who is housing me in a beautiful, spacious apartment that already feels like home. Waiting for me when I entered was a bottle of wine, multiple snacks, a fridge full of Diet Coke and Haagen Dazs in the freezer. Dawn, you couldn't have done any better! Thank you! Unfortunately Dawn knows all too well what it's like to move to a new city during this stressful time, but thanks to her and Judy Burns Paslaski, the transition has been very easy.

Today was the first of many long days at the hospital. Lots of waiting, lots of tests, lots of blood drawn (11 vials), but mostly just lots of people who are sick. Not only sick, but displaced as well. Because of their illness and now for some, because of the hurricane as well. One girl I met today won't be able to go home again for a year after her transplant because of the mold issue in her house after the storm, so she and her Grandmother are living in a hotel room hours away from family and friends. And then I come home to my pretty apartment complex with an inviting pool and a delicious package of Chicago's Lou Malnati's pizza, Carson's ribs, a Vienna hot dog kit and an Eli's cheesecake on my doorstep with a note of well wishes from The Jim Burns Foundation! How did I get so lucky?!?

I know the answer to that question. And I am reminded of it every time I open the door to my new home here in Houston. On the wall across the front door is a beautifully framed picture of Jim Burns and the story of his and Dawn's journey. I had the good fortune of meeting Dawn in 1985 when I started high school. Her bubbly personality and infectious laugh made it easy to befriend her. Never in my wildest dreams did I think 20 years later both of our lives would be effected by cancer and Stem Cell Transplants. But God works in amazing ways and I am blessed to know Dawn, have the support of The Jim Burns Foundation and as his tribute on the wall says, have a beautiful guardian angel watching over me; Jimmy Burns.

This weekend on Saturday, October 4th at Loyola Academy in Wilmette is the annual Jim Burns Tailgate. Please show your support for a wonderful foundation and amazing family by attending. Details are on the website www.jimmyburns33.org which can be found on my links page. You can also see pictures of my luxurious new dwelling. Please write or come visit (only if you are well though!):

4848 Pin Oak Dr. #228
Houston TX 77081 

Thank you Dawn!

Love,

Jen


A great soul serves everyone all the time.
A great soul never dies.
It brings us together again and again.
                              --In loving memory of Jimmy Burns