@tincupscout

With a sadness that has rocked our core, we announce the passing of our Annie. On January 7th at 4:55pm, Billy held her in his arms and with his hand on her heart, said “It's okay to go. Go ahead and cross the river. I love you, L45.” She took a huge breath, and passed. Our family surrounded her during these last weeks at home in hospice. Sharing memories and tears and laughter while holding her hand and saying goodbye. As was true of her life, her death was full of pure love and a magical family connection. We feel lucky to have spent these moments with her as she slowly let her soul free from this body. Three weeks ago, she shared with us a vivid dream where she crossed the East River in front of their home at Danni Ranch and found a peaceful and warm welcoming by our late family members. She said she was not scared to be there. It was beautiful. We will always be encouraged by the fact that we know she is just across the river. Watching over us. Who she was, is imprinted on every inch of our souls, traditions, and values and for that, she will always be here. We also feel grateful to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that she will be carried in the memories of our family, friends, and community. She was a force. We are so happy and honored that so many people will know just who she was and will remember and love Annie Coburn. We will miss her so much. And the pain of that is something we aren’t prepared for, despite living in the reality of her diagnosis for three years. Cancer is really really hard. But man, she was so tough. She battled. We are proud of her and thankful for every painful moment she endured to buy another day on the earth with us. She did it. And we will tap into that resilience every time we need to find strength. She was our everything. L45.

Thank you to everyone for the constant support. Good News: I’m still alive! Bad news: it could be any day that the struggle is over. Not in pain at all. The whole family is here surrounding me and spoiling me. I feel so good about where I am. At peace. At home. Ready to cross to the other side whenever. Probably a matter of days. But I got another beautiful morning today. Don’t worry about me. I’m gonna be just fine. Let’s all be grateful for what we have been given in this incredible life, not what we are « losing «  No one here is losing anything. We have had the privilege of enjoying life. Make the most of yours! Everyday it’s up to us to make that happen #grateful #thankful #hopeful

And on we go. Right back on that horse. Chemo infusion day #41 several rounds of Xeloda pills, antibiotics, and about 20 other medications that are working to keep me alive #grateful #thankful #hopeful. #onward. Thanks to #anniesarmy and of course to @bcoburn1959 ❤️

So today is a bittersweet one: 3 years ago, right about now, the Dr called me and said that my colonoscopy was not normal. That in fact I had Stage 4 colon cancer. What??? I was terrified and lost, writhing with agony bursting with tears. No day has ever been like that one. Since then, We (my hubby and incredible family and loyal friends)have been out on a shocking journey. No one wants to be here. But here is where we are and now is what we have. I have learned to appreciate so many things and people and experiences. I have taken in so much love and support from people all over the world. I am learning that this is all we get: here and now. And to be grateful to have that. I have had such a tremendously beautiful and blessed life. Wonderful parents and siblings in an idyllic childhood, falling in love and marrying my lifetime best friend, having four wonderful and healthy children who adore each other and their parents. And now 3 lovely and wonderful in-law children and 4 perfect grandchildren. We started our company in the basement of our house and it is thriving and growing We have learned so much. We have climbed all of Colorados 14,000’ peaks. We have traveled the world and seen so much beauty. I am surrounded by love and hopefulness. But, it’s not going to last forever. The battle rages on. I continue to fight and will continue onward until my very last day. I’ve already lived longer than they thought. Already exceeded the standard. I have so much to be grateful for. Your support has kept me afloat on many a down day. I wish you all peace and happiness in 2023. I wish for us all to be generous and patient with each other. Life is precious. Let’s take a breath and look around at its glories. We don’t know how long any of us have, but we can live it with grace and understanding and love towards each other. No matter what we are challenged with. Sending you all a big hug ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Happy Birthday Billy! I am so proud of you, so grateful to you, so lucky to be your wife! We met on Feb 6, 1982 and from that day on, we’ve been a team working together, playing together, succeeding and failing together. We have faced so many challenges, have seen so many outrageous dreams come true, have lived every second of everyday with purpose and with joy. Now we are facing one of the very biggest challenges there can be, and you are so brave, so strong, so resilient. Your broad shoulders can only carry so much but you make it all look possible. You give me hope. You give me all of your patience and time (this is the time in life where we should be in a fun mode-not survival mode). But you take it all and carry it with such grace. Your courage makes me braver. Your strength makes me tougher. Your positive attitude has changed the direction of this disease. You have saved my life. Plus, before all this started, I always admired your “golden rule” life with our simple do what is right, not just what is easy. This comes through in everything you do. And then there’s our beautiful family. Thank you for them. They all want to “grow up” and be just like you. Even tough they are grown up, you are still the standard, the high bar that is set for them to see and emulate. And our adventures and travels all over the world, thank you. Even though my favorite place is sitting right next to you in front of the fireplace in our cozy beautiful home. Thank you for loving me. For saving me. You are everything to me. #L45 @bcoburn1959 #legacy #family #tradition #love

1982 first picture 2022 second picture same people. Super fun weekend in Boulder celebrating the 40th (!) reunion of our Delta Gamma class at Homecoming. Got to catch up with lots of old friends and remember all the fun we had way back when. #DeltaGamma #1982 #CU #skobuffs #oldtimes

I’m back on offense killing cancer cells after a 3.5 month “break”. Chemo #41 started today. This time in pill form (2 weeks on/1 week off) much easier than infusions. That’s the good news! But, I have to say it was a hard road to get here. During the “break” I had 10 hospital stays (17 nights in two different hospitals) 4 major surgeries (got rid of some big bad tumors) Also had sepsis, fungal and staph infections. I have two drains coming out of my liver, lost 20 pounds, two flights for life, I take 20 pills per day. I had an awesome blood transfusion one day. AND: I’m still here. I’m feeling stronger and stronger. I’ll be ready for whatever comes next. Whatever challenge you are facing, get ready. We can do waaaay more than we think. #grateful #thankful #hopeful Especially lucky to have my incredible team of family and friends lifting me up and helping me do this. It’s not impossible. It just seems like it is. #Onward #Letsgo

This may be the very most beautiful fall ever! Seriously. Like where can we vote on this?? #fall2022 #fall #crestedbutte @bcoburn1959 by my side of course ❤️

Fall appreciation for Our Home Dogs River Garden #healing #retreat #peace #takeitslow #grateful #thankful #hopeful

Another Fantastic Elk Run 5k in the books today. Lucky to have all four of our children here, so much support, so much love all around us. Thank you to everyone who encourages, hugs, shares their story, listens to mine, contributes the wisdom and and makes this day so special! You are valued and appreciated Every bit of your positive energy will be put to good use! #elkrun5k #emmacoburn #grateful #thankful #hopeful

JOY has arrived. Finally! Here I am with my littlest grandchild, William. Just what I needed after the toughest, roughest, scariest part of my cancer journey unfolded. I am ok now and recovering but it was quite the ordeal. Here’s what happened : August 1st sudden massive pain and fever, flight for Life to Denver. I had a septic infection 104.7 unbelievable pain and pretty dangerous. The medical team got it under control, excised the source (my port) and administer giant antibiotics. Spent a week in the hospital and was declared good as new. So on we went, 3 days later, to Chicago where I got the NanoKnife treatment in the one stubborn liver tumor That all went to plan. After a few days in the hospital there, Came home a few days later to recover. 3 more days elapse and suddenly I am again overtaken by incredible pain, rushed to ER and again was on a Flight for Life to Denver. Not sepsis but a different infection and was brought back from the brink after another week in the hospital. I’m home now. Safe and sound. Antibiotics are doing their job(s) and I am getting a little stronger each day. Taking it super slow and taking nothing-I mean nothing- for granted. Be well my friends! Treasure your health and your lives and your families and your friends. Joy will come back, no matter where you are now. We just sometimes have to wait for it Thank you to all my support team (headed, of course, by @bcoburn1959 ) my children and grandchildren, parents and siblings, friends and neighbors. Your support really does make a difference. I feel it. I really do. And I needed it this past month, so thank you! #anniesarmy #grateful #thankful #hopeful #joy

So proud of this incredible person. While it’s amazing just to be in the final, She battled for a medal. She gave it all she had. In the end came up short. But that’s life, right? When it’s on a stage like this, with milllions of people watching, when you’re representing your country, when you’ve trained so hard….it stings to not make it. Our goals are all attainable. For all of us. But sometimes it’s just not your day. Or just not your moment. But we have to remember all the work, effort and sacrifice that get us to the start line. Got us to be able to risk it all and try to get our “medal’ in whatever we are working towards. I have lots of setbacks in my cancer journey. Lots of disappointments and confusion and sadness. But thats when we learn, when we grow, when we pick up and figure it out in another way. That’s when triumph plays a part. That’s when we set ourselves up to get to that podium. Whatever your is, keep trying. I will too! And I guarantee you that Emma will as well!!!! @emmacoburn @wchoregon22 #steeplechase @usatf #teamboss #teamUSA #perservere #believe #goals #love #proudmama