Last night we worked/attended a benefit for our good friend Mike Kaye who is in need of a heart transplant. We have been friends with the Kayes for over twenty years. The benefit was held at Mr. G’s restaurant in their huge ballroom. There had to be over 500 people there. Even in a bum economy, the force of Door Countyites is not to be reckoned with. Businesses donated goods, people donated time and money… it was truly amazing. Lucky for us, Mike and Mary (and their family) were able to be there… for a while at least. Mike is doing so much better than when we saw him in October when he was still in a Milwaukee hospital. It was really heart warming to see all the love and generosity… after all, Mark and I were at the receiving end of the same, not once but twice. When Josh was 2 1/2 way back in 1985, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Mark and I were young and scared, not to mention broke. The community came out full force with a benefit at Casey’s for Josh. At first we were embarrassed but as the people arrived, they were so full of love and good wishes for us… it was truly amazing. Then again in 1998, as luck would have it, a tornado ripped through Door County and our house was demolished. Again Door County decided to help those of us whose homes and/or businesses were destroyed. It was held at the baseball field behind Bley’s bar in West Jacksonport. Tons of people came, danced, partied and contributed to the cause.
In 1976 my parents bought a motel in Door County, Wisconsin. As a teenager, I was like (insert swear word here)! I cried, many years later I learned my mom cried too. Little did I know it would become the best thing that ever happened to me. In Door County, there are no boundaries. Neither age, background or finances interfere with friendship. The people of this community just amaze me. Everyone is here for each other in good times and bad.
I truly mean it when I say I love Door County.
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