One month...

This is such a sad time for Chris and our family. It seems so odd that just one month ago we said goodbye to Chris' dad here on Earth. In a way, it seems like it has been longer than just 1 month but that is probably because November has been one of the busiest months that I can remember.

Although time is the healer of all wounds, there is no relief in sight. I see how much Chris hurts and how sad he is even when people ask "how are you doing?" or when he hears a certain song on the radio. I hate to see him so sad but I am happy he has so many great friends, family, and myself to talk and cry with when he is in need. I know that in time most of his sadness will be replaced with the fond memories he has of his father.

This is a particularly difficult time of year to lose someone as it is the holiday season. Not to mention Chris and Megan's birthday months. In a weird way, I felt refreshed when the calendar turned to December and maybe I will feel the same way when the clock strikes on New Years Eve. I am certain that 2007 and 2008, minus a few celebrations, has been 2 of the worst years that we will face. From his diagnosis Labor Day weekend of 2007 until his last hours here before he went to Heaven through his funeral services, have been and will be some of the saddest times of our lives. I am blessed to have met and gotten to know Chris' father and so sad to see him battle this horrible fight. While I am sad that he has passed, I am happy to know that he is resting peacefully free of pain and illness looking down on our family as our personal guardian angel.

I know that even when time passes, there will be harder days than others and certain events that will be bitter sweet because he is not here to share them with us but we must remember that he is always here with us, looking over us and saying, "Look, that's my son or there's my little girl..." I know that both Chris and Megan will continue to make their Daddy proud in more ways than they realize. I just hope they know that even though he is gone from this Earth, he really is watching over us all and continues to be so proud of them both...

Please keep our family in your prayers.

Love always,

Wedding festivities have begun...

Yes, you read correctly ... my best friend Heather is getting married in January so her wedding festivities have begun. Well this weekend her mom and aunt surprised Heather and I with a weekend getaway at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Spa!! After spending Spa-filled day on Saturday, we had dinner on the boat in Key West and enjoyed after dinner drinks in the Piano bar. We had such a great time! I even got a Matron of Honor tote bag with Heather's wedding colors (pink and brown). The entire weekend was so much fun and so relaxing!! What a wonderful surprise ... we had such an amazing time!

Thank you Heather for having me as your Matron of Honor. I feel so honored to stand by your side as you begin your new life as Mrs. Watson. Can't wait for your big day!!

Here are a few pictures from our weekend...


The Bride and I in the Spa:
The Bride-to-be
The Bride and Me

The Resort: Gaylord Palms Resort and Spa

I'm officially a grown-up

Yup, I'm officially a grown up ... we just bought our first ever turkey for Thanksgiving. I suppose you could say my college graduation day, our wedding day or even the day we became homeowners would have been that day ... but no, the official turning point is today, our first time preparing to cook Thanksgiving dinner. haha

Next Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) will be an interesting one. A day where Chris and I can officially create our own Thanksgiving traditions. Side note: this is our 4th Thanksgiving as a married couple but we've never had the chance to actually cook. Check back for pictures ... we plan to have all the fixin's.

With Love,
The Lakeland Rohdes

Newspaper article

Here is an article on my father-in-law that was in the Sarasota and Manatee Herald Tribunes:


http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081110/ARTICLE/811100341/2066/NEWS0101

Service Arrangements

Hi Family and Friends,

As you know, Chris' father passed away on Monday morning at 12 o'clock midnight due to a rough battle with Melanoma Cancer. Although we miss him very much, we feel comfort knowing that he is now free of pain and sickness. We want to thank you all so much for the phone calls and e-mails, it really means a lot to Chris and our family. I'm handling most of the communication right now as Chris isn't really able to talk about it as I'm sure you can understand.

Many of you have asked about arrangements and/or where flowers or donations can be sent. In lieu of flowers, they are requesting donations to be sent to Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton.

Here is a link to make an on-line donation: http://www.tidewell.org/memorials.html
(The first page is information about the person donating - once you press continue, the 2^nd page will ask who it is in Memory of).

Funeral Arrangements:

His funeral including a Mass and Reception will be held this coming Tuesday, November 11^th at 11:00 AM at the Catholic Church, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs located in north Sarasota. The address is 6600 Pennsylvania Ave. (9th Street East) Sarasota, FL 34243

Directions from I-75: Exit #213, go west on University Parkway to U.S. 301. Turn right on U.S. 301 to Whitfield Avenue. Turn left on Whitfield to 4-way stop sign (street sign reads Pennsylvania Ave/9th Street E). Turn right on Pennsylvania for 2 blocks. Church is on the left.

For more information, here is a link to the Church's website: http://www.ourladyqueenofmartyrs.net/directions.htm

Thank you all for keeping Chris and our family in your prayers … we love you all!

With love,

Connie and Chris

Rest In Peace

I have sad news to report ... Chris' father has passed away. He lost his year-long battle with metastatic melanoma... At midnight on Nov 2nd/Nov 3rd, God welcomed him into Heaven with open arms and reunited him with all of those who have passed before him including Rusty, as Chris pointed out (Chris' childhood dog). It is comforting to know that he is no longer in pain from this horrible disease but words can not describe how much he will be missed. Rest in Peace Dad. We miss you so much already! Love you always.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers over the past year. The next few months will be very difficult for us but I know that with each other, and our amazing family and friends we will make it through.

I will post again once final arrangements have been made.

With love,
Connie and Chris

~ Rest In Peace ~

Kurt A. Rohde
September 15, 1958 - November 3, 2008

Short but not at all sweet

We are in need of prayers and good thoughts. Chris' father has started his journey to Heaven. If you knew his Dad, you would know that he isn't the type of person to give up easy and this is no different. He is truly a fighter and I feel so privileged to carry his name.

The Hospice House is ensuring that he is resting peacefully during this time. Today was a very hard one, one that I don't want to re-visit anytime soon, if ever. Chris and his sister, Megan, were asked to say their "goodbyes" and reassure their Dad that it was OK to pass on. As you can imagine, this was a very hard thing for both of them to do.

Thank you again for thinking of Chris and our family during this time. I will try to keep this blog updated with future updates.