Mason Arik: Weekend of LOVE...

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Weekend of LOVE...

Wow! What a weekend!! We started our Saturday with 161 pieces of mail to sort through..
We are deeply touched by the outpouring of LOVE.

We were not able to open all the mail before we were off to the KU basketball game!! We had an amazing time cheering on the Jayhawks. Mason smiled from Valentines signed by KU Cheerleaders. Smiles and Cheers as the Jayhawks defeated Iowa State. What an awesome experience!! Thanks Baby Jay.

After returning from the game; a beautiful cake was left by Bellacake Sweetery.

Here is some of the wonderful gifts Mason received in Saturday's mail; the teddy bear from a very Special School in Florida, Thank you Manatee Bay Elementary!! You've put a HUGE smile on Mason's face. Florida is now in 3rd place for the most Valentines, with Kansas in the lead followed by Missouri.

A BIG Thank You to the schools and organizations whose cards arrived Saturday and Sunday; Bonita Valley Pathfinders, CA; Boys and Girls Club Bella Vista, AR; Abbott Loop Elementary Anchorage, AK; Wichita Collegiate Pre-K, KS; Mission Trail, KS; Cornith Elementary Brownies, KS; Bluejacket-Flint, KS; Brownies and Daisy Troop in McLouth, KS; KC Troops 1452, 1871, and 3406; Longhorn Steakhouse Belton, MO; South Holt R-1 Oregon, MO; More from Ethan, SD; Martha Elementary Barboursville, WV; Carver Elementary, Richmondhill, GA; Shawnee Mission North, Merriam, KS (Go Indians); Old Mission United Methodist Church, and Academie Lafayette, KC, MO; Belton, MO Girl Scouts. ( We LOVE all the Valentines!!)

Cards from a Unit of Girl Scouts and Shawnee Mission North!!

Our first card from the Virgin Islands.... I am dreaming...

What a wonderful gift; signed Valentines and pictures from Walt Disney characters!!
Mason received cards from Guam, India, Poland, UK, Australia, Japan, Canada, and Israel.
And today, a cute balloon bouquet from Applesauce in Weston, MO and Esther in Platte City. Thank you were bursting with LOVE in Overland Park!! Tommorrow is HAPPY HEARTS DAY!! This has been the most amazing Valentine's EVER!! What a smile you have added to our hearts.

8 comments:

Unknown said...: Sounds like a great weekend!!! :) Hugs and love to you guys!!!; February 13, 2011 at 8:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Just read this remarkable blog. Now I am going to go to sleep with a smile on my face and love in my heart for all of you.
Aunt Celia; February 13, 2011 at 9:01 PM
Anonymous said...: Happy Valentine's Day Kempf family!!!; February 14, 2011 at 6:20 AM
Anonymous said...: Wishing Mason and your entire family a WONDERFUL Valentines Day:)

Lucretia Dewey; February 14, 2011 at 9:10 AM
kim said...: I tell yeah, Mason's color is PURPLE :-)! I am so glad that he had fun in Lawrence. Even though I bleed purple there is nothing like Allen Field House. I get goose bumps when I hear Rock Chalk there.

Happy Valentine's Day my Dear Friend Andria. Mason you were missed today by Katie Ruth and the rest of your class. But we thought of you every minute and you have lots cards from your class.

Peace,
Kim and the Brood; February 14, 2011 at 4:44 PM
Anonymous said...: Happy valentine
Belen and all the family xxx; February 14, 2011 at 5:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Do you have a total number of cards he has received?; February 14, 2011 at 5:59 PM
Anonymous said...: Rock Chalk!!!! So glad you guys got to go to the game!! Yay Mason :)

~Samantha; February 15, 2011 at 7:52 PM

Seasons of Wishes

About Mason Arik

To continue Mason's dream and his memory, we dedicate this blog to him. He has been diagnosed with Diffuse Pontine Glioma (Brain Tumor) (04/22/10). He courageously battled his cancer for 11 1/2 months. On March 29th, 2011, it was snowing in Heaven. He is and will be missed forever. We will continue to write and share the strength and courage that Mason has taught us as well as the many other lives he has touched, near and far. Links are listed below to provide additional information regarding DIPG.

Discovery of Tumor-Dx April 22, 2010

Beginning in March of 2010, Mason complained of severe headaches, mostly at night. Then the headaches went from 2-3 times a month (over a 2 month period) to every night and more severe, by the 3rd night I contacted his pediatrician. I was told to give him Excedrin Migraine.

But by the next day we were walking to school and he had double vision- Thanks to the school nurse, we scheduled an appointment that day with Sabates eye care. After his eye was dilated they noticed his eyes were shifting. An immediate MRI was scheduled.

After the most agonizing MRI, we went home awaiting the results. That's when we were told it was a tumor (pontine glioma) We waited to visit the doctor before researching the internet. So imagine the shock to hear this is the worst locations to find a tumor, inside the brain stem. (inoperable and unfortunately very serious)