I was born in Libby Montana in 1960. At 3 days old, I was adopted by my parents Robert and Phyllis Myers. They had been married for 6 years, and had wanted to have a baby, but no luck! Robert's (my dad's) mom had a friend in Libby who arranged a private adoption. So, in March, in a snowstorm, they all drove to Montana to pick me up! They were hoping for another baby, and had even been through the final adoption screening, and had been told they were going to get a baby boy, when my mom Phyllis found out she was pregnant with my brother Mark. We almost had 3 kids in our family, but as it happened it ended up being just Mark and me.

We grew up in Lakewood and North Tacoma. And I have always said it was like growing up in a Norman Rockwell painting. Our parents worked, and always wanted to provide the best for us. I remember getting dresses from Meier and Frank and Nordstrom when Mom and Dad would go on little trips. We enjoyed family vacations to Seaside, California, and even Hawaii, going to our Grandpa Myers' electrician shop, our Grandpa and Grandma Block's home in the "country", our great-grandpa's candy store, and playing with our many cousins.

I graduated from Wilson High School in 1978, and went to college at Linfield, then PLU, then met my first husband Frank Bednash and got married. My joy, Stephanie was born in 1986, and shortly after that Frank and I were divorced. I had wanted to go to nursing school, and was now a single unemployed mom, so I applied to Tacoma Community College, and was able to attend college there on a Pell Grant. I received my Associate Degree in Nursing in 1991 and found a career I loved!

At TCC, I met Marsha Austin who introduced me to her husband's twin brother Rick. We had many fun times with the four of us at Marsha and Larry's property up in Gold Bar, and in Seattle at KOMO where the 3 of them worked. Rick and I bought a home in Sumner and lived there for almost 10 years while Stephanie was growing up. Rick and I separated and eventually divorced.

When we lived in Sumner, I got re-connected with the Order of the Eastern Star and Stephanie joined the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. We enjoyed working on the Masonic parade float, camping with the Rainbow Girls, and doing other fun service projects. We have made so many good friends through these service organizations.

During my nursing career I worked at Good Samaritan Hospital on the Oncology floor, for Good Samaritan and Multicare Home Health and Hospice, HealthNet for Tricare, Tacoma General inpatient and outpatient oncology and radiation oncology, and Northwest Medical Specialties oncology and hematology. I was very proud to be part of the team that won the President's Award in Total Quality for the opening of the Gig Harbor Hematology/Oncology clinic, as well as part of the team that designed the final home for the Gig Harbor clinic and the clinic at Tacoma General Hospital. I have had the honor to work with so many wonderful patients and families. As a nurse, the work is demanding, but the rewards are immeasurable.

I met Shelly in 2002 when I started working at Tacoma General. She is one of the best nurses I have ever been privileged to work with. I fell in love with her, and as I have told her so many times, "I'm so glad you liked me, too!" We have been together since 2006, and I still cannot believe the happiness that we have known. We had our commitment ceremony in 2007 and were able to get married in 2014 with the change and recognition of marriage for all couples! I have been so fortunate to gain 2 daughters: Tara and Megan, and a sister and brother in law: Suzie and Brent, from our marriage.

Shelly and I love to travel and have had the great good fortune to enjoy many trips together, but we also enjoy just sitting together reading our books. When my career was at a standstill, Shelly encouraged me to finish my bachelor's degree. And when I wanted to attend graduate school to become a nurse practitioner, she stood behind me and supported me every step of the way. I was very honored to become one of the members of Washington State University Vancouver's first Doctor of Nursing Practice cohorts. I received my Masers of Science in Nursing in 2014 and completed my Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2015. I enjoyed working in inpatient and outpatient palliative care, home based palliative care, and heart failure as an ARNP.

Shelly has also supported me during that very difficult time in June of 2017 when I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She, and all of you, my friends and family carried me through the shock and then the difficulty of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatment. When I have felt discouraged or down, I envisioned all of your love and support, surrounding me and making me light. Those who do not believe in love and prayers have never experienced the love and prayers of friends and family as I have done. It has made all the difference.

I thank you all, for your love. In the end, that is what I remember. I have had a life surrounded and infused with love. What could be better?