On a sidenote, I haven’t published to this site in some time and forget how to insert the photographs, so be patient with me.

Colon cancer supporters Mary and Pete Grady

Janet and Al visited Grady’s Tavern tonight to enjoy a nice corned beef dinner. Janet brought Greg as this was one of his favorite hang out’s when he was alive. Janet came prepared with several colon cancer pins and bracelets to pass out to customers. Believe it or not, there were several SMART ASSES there that have just recently had their colonoscopies. Thanks to Ron Ayotte and Betty Styran for their support and the other patrons that graciously took from the basket.

Janet’s two brothers and other friends joined for this dinner; we had a great time.

Greg at beach in Hana, Maui

Greg traveled to Hawaii with Janet and Al and visited the Islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. This trip was different than others in the way of sacredness; I felt it would be an insult to the people of Hawaii to leave cards and pins amongst the national parks we visited. Most of our time on the Islands was spent hiking and I forgot Greg when we went up Diamond Head National Monument.

On the island of Kauai, Greg met a very nice young woman by the name of Nieves who works in an art gallery; I was admiring some glass sculptures and we got on the subject of glass blowing. I mentioned my nephew was a glass blower and somehow that lead into the subject of Greg. Nieves seemed genuinely interested in the subject of colon cancer and what I was doing to spread the word on the disease. I went back up to my hotel room, retrieved Greg along with a colon cancer pin and bracelet and re-visited the gallery. We ended up talking for 2 hours, closing the store and sharing stories. I think I was friends with her in a past life and she agreed there must be a reason we met.

Somehow we got on the subject of Lithuania and both Nieves’s parents are 100% Lithuanian and that lead to yet another interest that we both have in common. I went back up to my room and brought down my MacBook and shared the photographs I took in Lithuania.

It was really nice meeting you Nieves and I know our friendship will continue through emails and phone. I hope you can spread the word on getting screened throughout Hawaii and through my website,

Nieves

Because this trip was a pilgrimage, I didn’t take a lot of pictures of Greg but did find a way to spread the word about colon cancer in Druskininsai.  I put several educational cards and colon cancer pins on one of many statues in a park.

The Hill of Crosses, Kryzių Kalnas, located 12 kilometers north of the small industrial city of Siauliai (pronounced shoo-lay) is the Lithuanian national pilgrimage center. Gregs ashes were spread here and a cross placed with his name and other family members that have passed. A colon cancer pin was placed on the cross. “Standing upon a small hill are many hundreds of thousands of crosses that represent Christian devotion and a memorial to Lithuanian national identity. The city of Siauliai was founded in 1236 and occupied by Teutonic Knights during the 14th century. The tradition of placing crosses dates from this period and probably first arose as a symbol of Lithuanian defiance of foreign invaders. Since the medieval period, the Hill of Crosses has represented the peaceful resistance of Lithuanian Catholicism to oppression. In 1795 Siauliai was incorporated into Russia but was returned to Lithuania in 1918. Many crosses were erected upon the hill after the peasant uprising of 1831-63. By 1895, there were at least 150 large crosses, in 1914 200, and by 1940 there were 400 large crosses surrounded by thousands of smaller ones.”

Lithuania was such a poor country filled with very sorrowful history. The strength of the people and ability to forgive the Russians and Germans was very moving. Vilnius was the most charming of cities. The cobblestone curved streets were perfect for picture taking. Greg sat on a couple stones and sat in the city square people watching.

There are six lakes located in northeastern part of Vilnius, Lithuania. They are a part of the Verkiai Regional Parks and called the Green Lakes due to glacier activity. Greg is sitting at the Žalieji lakes . There was a huge ant mound there that is protected by a fence. The Lithuanians love their ants.

When we weren’t on the road, we enjoyed some homemade Lithuanian vodka. Much to Greg’s surprise, we ate in a vodka distillery and it depicted what happened when you had too much of the stuff!

We visited the Geographical Center of Europe, located in Lithuania. The very heart of Europe.

I wanted to spread the word this month in an effective way.  I made a basket filled with Greg’s business cards, colon cancer pins and blue colon cancer bracelets.  Yaz Sheriff let me to pass these out in his restaurant, Heart and Soul Cafe.  

Thanks Yaz

Greg is honored to be attending the Smart Ass Golf Tournament sponsored by Pentax and NHL Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler whose wife died of colorectal cancer 8 years ago. For more information on this tournament, visit http://www.smartassgolf.com/home.html. Darryl is now on a huge campaign to bring awareness as we all are. Tim Nelson is the keynote speaker and Greg will sit at the podium with him; Tim will be doing all the speaking…..Tim campaigns to bring awareness to the disease and encourage screening.  He is currently producing a documentary to be submitted to the Toronto Film Festival. 

Greg’s packed and ready to be shipped to Tim.  He was adamant about wearing his cowboy hat….Greg Kelley…..Greg Norman.  Hope he hit’s a hole in one as it relates to spreading the word on getting screened!  Kick Butt Greg!

Thanks Tim