Shoe Prints

Normandy Was the Destination—Perspective Was the Gift

In the quiet, powerful landscape of Normandy, we found more than history—we found perspective. A reminder of why we lead, serve, and continue building something meaningful through CHSCF.

Get the Dog! Moments from a Caregiver-Mom

When my kids asked for something unexpected, my answer was usually the same: What? No. Why?
But cancer has a way of rewriting the rules, even the parenting ones.

Part 3: The Final Ride “Home”

This is Part 3 of a three-part hospice reflection originally written after Cassie’s death. It is being reposted as originally written, with only minor formatting changes. These reflections share our family’s experience with hospice and end-of-life care.

Part 2: Those Seven Words

This is Post 2 of a three-part hospice reflection originally written after Cassie’s death.

Part 1 The Unsayable Word—Hospice

This post is part 1 of a three-part hospice reflection originally written after Cassie’s death. It is being reposted as originally written, with only minor formatting changes. These reflections cover our family’s experience with hospice and end-of-life care.

Pausing Into January

The Day I Hid in the Closet (Caregiving at Its Finest)

Caring for a young adult with cancer is equal parts love, fear, strength, and total chaos. I tried to meet Cassie’s needs, support Ashley and Ethan, stay connected to Chris… and occasionally escape to the closet for a good cry. This is caregiving at its finest.

What’s on your bucket list?

This Labor Day I checked off a big bucket list item — walking the Mackinac Bridge — but the experience reminded me of a deeper lesson Cassie once taught me. Bucket lists aren’t just about boxes checked; they’re about living fully, being present, and finding joy in both the highs and lows. In this Shoe Prints post, I reflect on Cassie’s wisdom, a young survivor’s perspective, and what it really means to ‘live like you’re living.

Getting to Know Aunt Cassie Through Bedtime Stories

“In her latest Shoe Prints post, Karen shares the story of writing books for her grandchildren so they can know their Aunt Cassie, even though they’ll never meet her. A powerful reflection on family, grief, and preserving memories through storytelling.”

College Drop-Off with Cancer: A Mom’s Story of Chemo, Crutches, and Courage

From midnight earache wakeups to 1:00am “urgent” questions about Christmas shopping, parenting college kids through the college transition is full of surprises. For me, it was also filled with hidden anxieties as Cassie chased her dreams at MSU while battling cancer. This is a story of resilience, humor, and the resources that help students thrive.