Racing for Miss Vesna

Back in late August, my husband was out of town for a few days on a photoshoot. When it's just the girls and I, we often go out to dinner at the restaurant of their choice. I joke that the girls are taking me out on a date, and it's a wonderful time of bonding and special moments for us.

My daughter Lindsey, even at a mere five years old, had asked that we go one of my favorite places, The Vienna Cafe, for dinner. As with all of the other times we have visited there, we were welcomed with open arms by Miss Vesna, as the girls call her. She is the owner of the Cafe, a place that we have frequented since Lindsey was just a little baby. Vesna Dulbic has been able to watch the girls grow up as the years go by, and she celebrates that by posting their yearly school photos on her beloved wall of patrons' children.

Most of the time when I am at The Vienna Cafe, Vesna is a one-woman show. She waits the tables, she cooks the food, she does the dishes. With all of that, she always takes the time to hug the girls and spend time with them, creating special deserts for them as a reward for eating well. She is amazing. Her food is amazing. Her aura is amazing. And everyone that walks in her doors knows it. I've never seen a patron there without a smile on their face.

I drive by The Vienna Cafe on occasion when I pick up Mallory from her preschool. I had noticed that the Cafe had been closed the last time or two I drove by, and I attributed it to the thought that she must be traveling abroad or taking an extended vacation. That is certainly understandable, being that basically she operates the place solo, at least from what I can tell. She has taken vacations in the past, so this was no different. Or so I thought.

This week, I learned that this beautiful lady whom I am blessed to call a friend was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma just days after we visited her in August. I never would have guessed that there was anything wrong at all by the radiance she exuded, and I'm not certain that she knew at that time what laid ahead of her either.

It makes me mad that she has to go through this. Like everyone else that has had to walk down this road, she doesn't deserve this. And hearing this news reinforces the fact that I am indeed in this Team in Training program FOR ALL OF THE RIGHT REASONS. We MUST continue the fight to find a cure, just as Vesna is fighting to rid herself from this terrible illness.

So this time around, Miss Vesna, I race for you.

For anyone who reads this and who lives in the greater Detroit area, please visit friendsofvienna.com to learn about the status of Vesna, The Vienna Cafe, and any events that may be taking place to help her out. Even if you don't live here, or you don't know her, please keep Vesna in your prayers.

And if you want to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and help us in our fight to put a stop to this terrible disease once and for all, please visit http://www.active.com/donate/tntmi/andi to join me in this quest.

--------

PLEASE HELP ME in my mission to raise $4,000 in the fight against cancer!
Check out my progress at my web page:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntmi/andi