Belinda Graves
Hey guys! Hope you're all doing well. I've caught up with some of you over
the years, and must say, I'm really proud of all my "kids"! Sorry that I
wasn't able to make it to the last reunion, but I wasn't feeling very well
at the time.
This is my third year at Kelly High School, and I love it! I always said
that BCS would be my home until God chose another place for me. Well, He
did, and it's truly been a blessing! That feeling of "family" that us "old
timers" had at BCS is very much the same at Kelly. Everyone (students and
staff) have really become an extended family for me. And, yes, the kids
still call me Gravy!
My Kelly family and my Corner Stone family have really been a blessing and a
saving grace for me the last few years. God has chosen some difficult
challenges for me and it has been through the precious prayers of these
wonderful people that I've been able to face them.
My mother died, very suddenly, three years ago in April. In fact my Uncle
Arthur found her on April 20 when he went to mow her grass. I remember,
very vividly, we were watching the coverage of the shootings at Columbine
when he called. The coroner said she had probably been there for at least 2
days. I'll be the first to tell you, don't skimp on the hugs and "I love
you's", you never know when it could be your last opportunity. Now, I don't
mean to sound all "poor pitiful me", but I had just seen her on her birthday
(April 16) and my last words were "I love you". I literally never saw her
again. I take great comfort in those last words and the fact that she went
to meet God in such a peaceful way. So, never miss an opportunity to show
you care!!!!
In December 1999 I got bronchitis and became very ill. A routine chest
x-ray showed something in my chest. The doctors thought at first that it
was an aneurysm and then decided it was lung cancer. After lots of tests
and biopsies they determined it was Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I PROMISE, THIS
DOES GET BETTER! I spent the next year taking chemotherapy and radiation,
and being bald!!! God gave me the strength to continue working through the
treatments, which really helped me not spend so much time feeling sorry for
myself!
I completed my treatments in November last year and am currently going in
for 3 month check ups. So far everything looks good! Praise God! I have
to admit though, every time those check ups roll around, I get really
nervous! With God's continued blessings and the prayers of so many
wonderful people, I will continue to be cancer free.
I'm feeling good, and proud to say that I'm 50 now! After all it's better
than the alternative! The last year proved that to me! Unfortunately,
chemotherapy did not make me lose weight (RATS!), but when my hair came
back, it came back almost completely minus the gray and extremely curly! I
love it! It is completely wash and go!
I love you all! God bless you! Let me know how you are doing and keep me
posted on news.
Much love,
Belinda "Gravy" Graves
1160 Chatwood
Beaumont, TX 77706
(409) 866-4666
Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School
5950 Kelly Drive
Beaumont, TX 77707
(409) 866-2351
bgraves@kelly.beaumont.tx.us
(No
email at home right now)
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