Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
Today is my birthday–whee! I’m feeling extra grateful for friends and decent health and poetry this year. I want to share that two friends of mine, Steve and Vicki Palmquist, are going through tough times. You may not know them, but they are enormous advocates for children’s literature and for poetry. Over the decades I have known them, they have organized events, started organizations, built websites, and supported kidlit authors and illustrators and educators in SO many ways.
I shared a story of Vicki reading my poem Sacred Land before the pandemic. And another time, I shared a photo of Steve Palmquist with Nikki Grimes. And here’s a lovely poetry mosaic they created back in the day during a National Poetry Month–you’ll recognize some Poetry Friday friends there, and you can hear each poet, including me, read a poem. And although I didn’t share it here, just this week, Vicki and Steve sent me a birthday card with a hand-drawn rebus inside. Seriously! I give myself a gold star if I mail cards out to my sisters, dad, and daughters. I’ve never managed birthday cards for friends, even though I think about them on their day. But that’s the kind of people Steve and Vicki are: creative, generous, and nurturing (and old-fashioned in the best ways possible, such as correspondence).
Steve was diagnosed over the summer with a rare form of leukemia, and the treatment and all that goes with it is incredibly hard on them. Another writer friend, Lisa Bullard (oops–the blurry one in the group photo below!), spearheaded a GoFundMe for Steve and Vicki to help with medical bills and related expenses. If you have even just a few extra dollars to spare (and I know not everybody does!), I’d be so grateful if you checked out their GoFundMe page and donated. Good thoughts are also gratefully accepted! I don’t think Steve’s lost his thick hair, but I’m sharing this oldie but goodie in his honor and in honor of all those people I know and love who have dealt with or are now dealing with cancer.
And here’s a pic I love from a game night JUST before the pandemic. I like to send them good thoughts of laughter from times like these! Steve and Vicki have to isolate for a year or so more (as if all the COVID isolation wasn’t enough) because his immune system is so vulnerable, so it’ll be a while before we can gather in person again.
l to r: Vicki Palmquist, Lisa Bullard, Steve Palmquist, David LaRochelle
Again, if you’re able and inclined, head to their GoFundMe page! And don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with Bridget at the awesome wee words for wee ones!
Laura, what a friend you are. I’m sorry to hear that one of your dear ones is struggling. Isolation cannot be helping at all. Holding the joy from your photos right now. Beautiful smiles, clear friendship. Sending you love.
Happy birthday, Laura! I hope your day is as wonderful as you are! Thank you for always caring for others and sharing the GoFundMe link. xo
Thanks, Linda–It was a perfect day!
Don’t know if this is a repeat but I commented & it disappeared! Well, I love seeing all those happy faces and am saddened by this news, Laura. I don’t know Steve and Vicki but I do know Bookology and love what they do in it. Your poem speaks with poignant truth. And your post sharing a need is just right! My best wishes to this lovely couple. Thanks for sharing. And, my birthday was this past week – whee! We share a birthday month! Happy Birthday!
Hey, birthday sister! Thank you for your kind donation. You remind me a lot of Vicki and Steve, always donating your time to good causes and spreading joy, love, and books! Wish we lived closer together!
Laura, thank you for the links about these sweet friends, and the link to the GoFundMe page.
“I choose to stay.
I choose to love.
I choose to fight.”
Beautiful~
Happy Birthday, Laura. How sweet of you to think of someone else on your birthday. Your poem is really a good one for all who are experiencing the effects of treatment. I love the directives/mantras provided as a sign of positiivity.
I’m new to the Poetry community, but have learned about Steve and Vicki’s passion and dedication for poetry through posts like yours. Wishing them both well in this challenging time. Your poem is a wonderful affirmation. Thank you for sharing that today.
Your poem is a beautiful tribute poem to a wonderful person, Laura. And a great reminder about what’s really important – choosing to stay, love and fight. Happy birthday to you! You and your words are a gift to the world. 🙂
Thanks, Bridget!
It’s hard enough to have to live during a pandemic, but so many, such as your friends, have other serious illnesses as well. I hope our health care system can get a boost from legislation, not to get too political. As to your poem, yes, being ill does tends to take one beyond caring about superficial things.
I am saying prayers for Steve and hope that the medicine and treatments will lead the cure and healing and in time looking back will seem a distant time for them and all of you who are close friends. I am glad you are championing their need for help. I believe in helping when I can and am called.
Thank you, generous Janet, for all the above!
You are such a wonderful support for your friends. And your poem is like a cheer!
Thank you, Margaret–so kind of you to donate!
I’m so terribly sorry for all that your friends are going through. I’m sure that the support of you and other friends is such a comfort to them. Sending loving thoughts for health and healing!