As many of you know, the health of my mother has been stealthily deteriorating for the last couple of years. The past year in particular has seen a steady slide downhill with intense stomach issues, weight loss, and back trouble. Here is her assessment of the issues:

"Over the past couple of years I've had a decline in health, starting with back problems. Last year, my stomach issues, with which I've dealt for a long time, intensified. With the removal of dairy and gluten from my diet last spring, my stomach and back were helped for awhile. After a bit, though, the stomach and back issues started up again, at times on a debilitating level. All of this has been accompanied by major weight loss and increasing joint pain. The diagnosis for my stomach at this point is chronic gastritis. The doctor thinks that it was brought on by use of Ibuprofen for my back pain and then major stress related to things with my dad. I am also dealing with Vitamin B & D deficiencies. However, we're not convinced that these are the only issues. Our suspicion is that I may have more food/mold allergies that need to be identified and remedied, as well as some spinal issues that need attention. And there is the possibility that there is something else going on that the right doctor may be able to identify. Some of the medical treatment is covered by insurance, much is not."


My husband and I would like to help as best we can and have decided to host a benefit concert for her on Sunday, April 3rd, at 7:00. The concert, Sister for Mom, will be held at the gorgeous Lewis and Clark hotel at 117 Magnolia St. in Centralia, and will feature four groups of sisters performing their individual specialties: Maggie and I, Abby and Lizzie Gunderson, Liddy, Annnie and Lilja Voetberg, and Audra and Mara Poor. We will be backed up by the talents of Dale and Ian MacInnis, Ben Booher, and Kale Lotton. Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 at the door, $25 for a family of three or more, and first come are first served. There will be a box on the coffee table at intermission if you would like to contribute further to Mom's fund. The outpouring of support from the community for this concert has been staggering. We are blessed already just knowing what people are willing to do to help a local family in need. We hope to see you there, and covet your prayers if you can't make it.