Friday, May 22, 2009

My Big, Little Brother...And Relay For Life!!!

This post has been a long time coming. I have wanted to post some things that I love about my brother, Chris. He is one of my heroes. He is also one of my best friends and greatest cheerleaders. Chris was diagnosed with his first brain tumor when he was 16. He made it through that experience with determination, strength, faith, grace and many Heavenly miracles. The thing about Chris is that he has always trusted in Heavenly Father and counted himself blessed for being diagnosed with cancer. He saw it as a blessing that made him who he is and blessed him with many wonderful friends. He was diagnosed with his second tumor in September of 2007. He and his wife Jen took it on with faithful determination. They never complained saying," There are no bad days, only good days and better days".



Chris majored in landscape design and worked at the Idaho Falls Temple. He loved to be outside. One day Chris was cutting dandelions out with a kitchen knife (you have to get the root out!) and he was starting to lose his balance. He fell over and his mother-in-law came over to help him up. He said no I'm okay, I can do it. He started rocking back and forth to get himself up. She said Chris what do you do when you are alone? He said I just keep trying until I get up. How Chris.



Chris on his first walk after surgery in 2007




Matching Beanies!




Chris became a dad to Sadie Elizabeth in February 2009! He loved being a dad! His greatest treasures were his testimony of his Savior and the gospel and his family.
Isn't this picture funny! I have no idea what we were doing!




Chris passed away April 25. I miss him but I am so proud of him- I hope somehow I can make him proud also. I want to do something to give back.


Here is where I need you! I am participating in Relay For Life in July. I am so excited and I know Chris would have wanted to do this if he was still here. 100 percent of the money raised through Relay goes to education and research. My team and I will be taking turns walking throughout the night- cancer never sleeps and neither will we. My personal goal is to raise 300$ in memory of Chris in hopes that others won't have to suffer as he did. Even a donation of 5 or 10 dollars can make a big difference. Please click here http://main.acsevents.org/goto/beckymckay to make a donation and let's work to wipe out cancer together! Thank You!





4 comments:

Jen said...

OH, what a sweet post Beck! I love what you said about Chris...that is him to a tee. His faith is amazing. I would always ask him if I could borrow some of his faith, and he would just smile and laugh at me. Maybe someday I will be like him!! Good luck with your efforts for the Relay. I know this is something that Chris cares about!

Valley11 said...

Beck - this is truly touching and inspiring. Please know that I will do whatever I can to help support you and your family from afar. You are all in my thoughts and prayers! Miss you! Vanessa

Mortimer Family said...

What a great sister and example you are. I'm sure he is so proud! We would love to help support...and good luck with the relay, I'm sure Chris will be right there with you! :)

Stephanie said...

Love the post! Chris is amazing and you wrote about him well! He would be proud.