Saturday, Feb. 8, 6 to 10 p.m.
Gallon House, 219 Oak St., Silverton
A benefit for a school sign
and Principal Mark Recker
By Kristine Thomas
Kelley Recker is thankful for the little things that add up to priceless memories.
The birth of her grandson, Moses Recker, in September and having him and his parents Keenan and Becca Recker living with her and her husband, Mark Recker.
“Hearing him laugh is such a sweet sound in our house,” Kelley said.
She’s thankful for the days Mark can ride his recumbent bicycle and she can walk along-side, as well as the family gatherings to play board games, have dinner or watch a game.
Celebrating life’s simpler moments make it possible to deal with the unknown. Each morning, they don’t know if it will be a good day or not so good day for Mark. Last June, the Pratum and Silver Crest principal was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.
“The doctor said there is no cure for what I have. The best I can hope for is a quality of life,” Mark said last year. He had surgery in October to remove a portion of the tumor, Kelley said.
“What’s hard is everything is unknown,” she added. “There is an uncertainity that we live with. We can’t get a definitive answer if he is getting better or worse.” Describing the last few months as being on an emotional roller coaster, Kelley said she and Mark and their sons: Noah, Keenan and Tyler, try to take everything as it comes.
“If he feels good, we do things,” she said. “If he doesn’t, we stay home. We take advantage of the good days.”
She is grateful for the support she has received from people in Silverton. Parents from Mark’s schools have brought them dinner and she knows the staff and students at both schools communicate with Mark via the computer.
One project Mark was working on before his illness was raising money for a new sign for Silver Crest Elementary. To help him see that dream become a reality, the parents at Silver Crest are holding a fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 8, 6 to 10 p.m. at The Gallon House, 219 Oak St., Silverton.
Proceeds will be used to build the sign. Whatever is left will go toward medical expenses. The community is invited to enjoy food and drink, and participate in a silent auction and money balloons.
Before the January Pratum versus Silver Crest basketball boys basketball game, Mark, wearing a sweatshirt designed by his mother with half supporting each team, spoke to the players via the computer.
What gives Kelley strength is “just knowing that we have a God who loves us. That is at the heart of what we believe.” What she has learned during this journey is that she had a picture in her mind of what she thought her life should look like. A year ago, she was going through the steps to get a divorce, which was finalized last May. In June, Mark learned he had cancer and they decided to remarry in July. None of that was as she imagined a year ago.
“I love Mark now more than I have ever have,” she said. “We have a better relationship than we had and I know that’s a crazy thing to say when you throw cancer into the mix of things. We both realize what we have together is something we can’t take credit for. It’s a gift we were given. A second chance. And we’ve decided to make the most of it.”
