REMEMBERING JULIE...

Today I went to a memorial that paid tribute to my dear friend Julie Cook Carpenter. Julie and I had become friends while we were both working out at the downtown YMCA over 15 years ago.  We were regulars at the Fit Circuit class and bonded over finding out that we had both tried personal ads (that was before online stuff) to find our "perfect" match.  We both had amusing stories about our dating adventures and quickly formed a friendship that would last beyond the YMCA walls.   To know Julie was to know someone that was always on the go, proactive in every aspect of her life, organized to a tea, smart, informed, driven, and just as compassionate and warm.  She never forgot a birthday and was always your cheerleader. 

When she was diagnosis with breast cancer, she never once felt sorry for herself or blamed anyone; instead, she fought and she fought hard. It would take an entire book to go into detail all that she did to fight the cancer. When most of us would sit back and accept the treatments provided, Julie searched for the most up to date clinical trials and treatments. She was at the forefront of cancer research because she not only read the current research, she sought out and spoke to the experts around the world that were conducting the research. That was who she was and in doing so, she also helped others in their search for answers as well.

For the past several years, we have met every month for lunch or dinner (and always dessert too!) I miss my friend, but lucky to have her in my life. She continues to inspire me.

A picture from our Sierra Camping trip years ago.

http://www.julieanncarpenter.org