i need you to read this post. please.

Friends, when I was ten years old, my family moved to England. We lived near Lancaster for two and a half years, first in a village called Brookhouse and later the village down the road called Caton-St-Paul. 

When we moved to Brookhouse, I started school at Caton-St-Paul's Primary School (in the equivalent of the 5th grade) where I met a dear girl named Rowena Lightfoot. She was tall and lanky and full of talent, a bit of a musical genius both as a vocalist and a flautist. She lived just round the corner in Brookhouse and we used to play together in her garden, go on walks together and explore the church graveyard across from her house. We both took the 11+ which is a test you take to determine if you are eligible to attend Grammar School, and she and I passed. We were destined for Lancaster Girls' Grammar School on Queen Street in Lancaster. My family moved down to road but remained on the same bus route to LGGS. Every morning Rowena and I sat side by side on the public bus on the ride into the city where we then meandered through the Market and finally to school where we spent every moment together, every day.

She and I and another dear gal named Eleanor were in the same class (which you stay in your entire "career" in school there - 7K and 8K before I left) and became inseparable. We were in choir together with Mr. Truslove, Rowena and Eleanor were altos and I a soprano. We played recorder together (a big deal over there), each one of us playing different parts. We started a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta together as well and traveled to France together. In short, we were the best of friends. 

I moved back to the states mid year of what was the equivalent of my 7th grade year here in the US. We kept in touch some, sending tapes and letters back and forth. But over time we lost touch. I never lost fondness for these special friends. Last year I searched for Rowena on Facebook and finally found her. She had a little boy about my son's age (now about 20 months or so) and had not long ago married her long time love, Phil. She didn't post frequently, but I remember alway feeling a twinge of urgency that I needed to get back to her - she had written me and I hadn't gotten back to her...

in St Omer, France

Fast forward to late last summer/early fall... I see a post on Facebook about cancer. Her husband had given her an eternity ring...

Cancer? What? She is my age - 32 or so... with a baby boy my son's age... people who are our age don't get cancer... or shouldn't... I was shocked. 

Found out that she had stage four bowel cancer that went un-diagnosed for six months, and had already undergone chemo and radiation. When we reconnected she was waiting for her first operation. In the course of the last 6-8 months she had started another round of chemo which was too intense for her to handle... another mass had shown up on her ovary. In April she underwent another major operation to remove all the diseased tissue in her abdomen which meant all of her female organs and a large part of her bowel. They did an experimental chemo treatment in her belly as well. She spent almost a month in hospital and was just released a couple of weeks ago.

Today she was told to expect the cancer to return aggressively and that she would most likely have months - at best, one year left. 

Rowena and her son, Freddie, just a couple weeks ago.

We are all gutted for a variety of reasons. None of this ever makes sense and there are a number of lessons in this situation. I think of Rowena, as I think of myself as a mother and of her family who are so dear and loving, and of her son. 

My husband had the idea today to try to get me to England to see her. At very least to see her and hug her and let her know all that those memories however many years ago have meant to me. How those years were the most valued of my childhood. To pray for her if she is okay with it and ask for God's love to surround and comfort her. My heart is broken in a surprising way. 

I am going to try to raise some money to get me to England to say goodbye to my friend. I can stay with friends there. I just need transportation costs and money to pay for some meals and transport while I am there (bus/train). I want to try to do this within the next couple of months. 

I am asking for your help. I need about $2,000 to get there and stay very frugally and to provide a financial gift to the family. 

If you would, please consider helping me get to England in one of the following ways:

1) Purchase something from my vintage shop. I am putting up a coupon code marking everything 30% off - ROWENA30. All proceeds will get me to England and I hope will allow me to provide the family with a financial gift. I will be adding more items soon. Click here for Clementine and Nellie Vintage

2) Purchase something from my "shop my closet" store - Friperie D'Amelie. I will be adding more items soon. Click here for Friperie D'Amelie

3) Make a donation. You can send money via Paypal to my email address: brooke.m.hammel@gmail.com.

Please help in any way you can if you would be willing. I would be so grateful.

Thank you.

Brooke