I know I wrote an article on Nikole Baldridge of Ansonia and her journey with breast cancer in recent days, but I can’t stop thinking about her. She is probably one of the greatest interviews I’ve ever done and I have written many over the 50-plus years.

What makes her so special?

With what she is doing now –journaling her activities on this ride in life– and letting others know it can be done, It just has to be an incentive for others if you have cancer or not.
I am impressed with her writing as well as the positivity she is embracing along the way.
With that, as noted in my feature article, she is sharing her experiences at this point in her life with her family and friends. I am so glad she is sharing what she is going through, especially with her children, 14-year-old Mathieu and 5-year-old Hadley. I don’t think anyone will ever regret that.

I am so proud of her making this decision in sharing her life right now. I am not sure if I could even do that if the tables were turned but, after reading her “journal,” I would try my best.

I advised her to write a book. I think it would be a best-seller. I know I am going to hang on to her writings just in case.

Here is what she penned after the story I wrote on her appeared on My County Link:

“When I first found my lump, I wanted no one to really know at all. Only a few people knew what I was going through when this started. As it went on and I knew that it could really be something serious, I did start opening up.

“I am very glad I did because talking about this has helped so much. You could do this on your own, but having so much support makes it so much easier. I have met some amazing people who most have become great friends on this journey. I knew there were great people out there but, during this, I have gotten to see it first-hand. People are amazing and I can’t thank them all enough. I am going to continue to keep everyone updated through all of this. I have one part done at the moment and on to the next few things. So one day at a time and continue to stay positive.”

Thanks, Nikole for what you are doing. I wish you the best health in your future.

Thanks for giving me the honor of interviewing you. I’m glad I did and I’m sure there are hundreds of others who would agree.

If I could I would nominate her for Mother of the Year, and maybe even the Century.

Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of Linda Cobb Rosengarten, John Shell, Ted Bayman, Kimberly Knick, Michael Hardwick and Alan Fourman.
 
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Happy birthday:
June 22 to Austin Helmke, Jerry Brandewie, Kyle Shaner and Hannie Newbauer Wolfe.

June 24 to Robert Joseph Hiestand, Ned Riegel, John Blinn, Jay Stammen, Connie Rhoades, Tony MacKenzie and Diana Trittschuh  Walls.
June 25 to Dick Hufford, Alan Gessler, Seth Gessleer, twins Marion and Marvin Johnson, Megan Cover, Mary Swartz Kreitzer, cara Dehart and Christa Everman.
June 26 to Nancy McKnight, Ron Widener, Heather Mann, Ron Thwaits, Vicki Knick Galloway,
June 27 to Malinda Linebaugh, Lori Linebaugh, Troy Wombold, Pam Snyder and Randi Rose.
June 28 to Becky Blackburn Klipstine, Tyler Stump, twins Jann Peace and Jill Newman, Tracy Thwaits, twins Kimberly Bennett and Kelly Kelch, Joe Miller Sr., Eileen Cox, Scott Amspaugh, Richard Lewis and Don Hoffman.