In Kathy's own words from an email she sent to friends one year after PPD entered her life 12/17/99:
Dear Friends:
Tonight is an important anniversary for me. One year ago I went to bed on December 17th...after a very pleasant day...fell right to sleep...and woke up to something that would change me forever...PPD.
My PPD...as many of you might recall...was sudden in onset...literally attacking me overnight. The week that followed was the worst week of my entire life...and I have seen hard times in my 40 years. PPD completely destroyed my holidays. I went through the worst Christmas season I have ever experienced.
Still, today is not a day that I am sad. Hardly. Today is a day that I am feeling very thankful for very simple things. This holiday season couldn't be less than perfect. It will be perfect even if it is nothing more than "normal". PPD taught me that good old boring, average, regular days are a gift. This holiday season I am just glad to be feeling "normal". I am thankful to be able to enjoy the festivities to their fullest. I am praying that all of you have a wonderful Christmas season, too.
Tonight we are going out with friends. I plan on ordering a glass of champagne (or two...hee hee) and toasting this anniversary. My Christmas this year will be extra-special because last year's was so hard.
Merry Christmas...Kathy W.
A little more than a year later our dear friend, mother, wife, sister and daughter left us here on earth to mourn her passing and to continue the fight she started. I ask you as a friend of Kathy to take up the gauntlet that she passed to us and help teach the world about PPD.
Kathy Bishop had the wonderful idea that in memory of Kathy's struggle and her life this year on Dec. 17 all of us who wish to continue Kathy's legacy release balloons in Kathy W.'s name.
Kathy Bishop has put together a printable card that can be glued to an index card and tied to the balloons.
Please join us in keeping Kathy Woltman's memory and work alive so that someone does not have to die at the hands of this disease.
Lori
To print cards: Right click on your mouse while cursor in located on the front or back section of the cards. Click view image. It should open the image of the frnt or back in another browser page. From there you should be able to click print.
, 