A couple of weeks ago, the kids came up with the idea of having Ann write messages by hand so that we could transfer them to our bodies as tattoos.
Well, we got our tattoos today. The kids chose “I love you” and I got “agape”. As you know, Ann closed many of her posts with “Much agape.” In English there is only one word for “love”, but in Greek there are three. The first two translate as brotherly love and erotic love. But “agape” is unconditional love. This is the way God loves us. God doesn’t love us because we are lovable. He loves us because it is his nature to love. This is the way God wants us to love. Marriages are sustained by this kind of love.
Ann’s visitation is Monday from 3-8 at Aldersgate UMC at 5130 Lincoln Avenue in Evansville. Her funeral service is at 10 Tuesday morning.
Now that Ann’s earthly journey is complete, the readership of this blog will drop off. Please come back from time to time. I feel like I’ve been negligent in not sharing enough about what I’ve learned about caring for someone with cancer. I know there must be people who read this blog looking for anything that might help them. I’m not a professional, but at the heart of the Gilda’s Club philosophy is the conviction that the experts at living with cancer are the people who have cancer.
If you’ll come back, I promise to share our experiences. And as I said before, I’ll tell you how you can help us realize our dream of establishing a Gilda’s Club here in Evansville.
Much agape,
Randy
Randy, Erin, Meredith, Andrew;
What a profound thing to do. Ann has written her love not only on your hearts but now on your flesh for all to see.
Your family continues to teach us and spur us on to be better Christians.
Ann shows us how to give His love. You show us how to accept His love.
This act will be talked about for years to come and be preached from many pulpits.
May God comfort and bless you as you comfort and bless us.
All I can say is “WOW!” You will be reminded of Ann’s love for each of you daily in a tangible way! The picture is beautiful!
You wild and crazy guys. Ann would LOVE it.
Love you.
Fantastic tatoos! I love it. What an awesome way to
show your love and unity. Very powerful.
This is simply amazing – good for you guys! What a way to have Ann’s love with you everyday.
Guys,
You are an inspiration! To be able to do what you are doing instead of sitting around feeling only pain is amazing.
Who says that we should only remember a loved one who has passed with tears of sorrow. The tattoos are awesome.
Let Ann’s life and love carry you forward in life.
Thanks for sharing your lives.
Much agape to you always.
Frank Knight and family
Hey Randy,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are very special people. My husband Mark was just diagnosed with Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma also know as Klatskins tumor. I will be very interested in Gilda’s club. We are in the process of trying to find the best place to go for some treatment. It is a rare cancer. Prognosis is poor.
You all are an inspiration to us. God Bless you.
Pam Mark Katie and Clay Boylls.
This is so cool , Ann thought of everthing she had so much love….Sue
Great photo! E., I thought the idea was amazing when you first came up with it, but wow- the real deal is even better. I know today and tomorrow will be difficult days for all of you. Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. Thanks for sharing.
Randy and kids,
Yes please keep this site going, many will continue to come here for encouragement and words from you and your family.
gods blessing always.
Randy, I will come to this blog as often as I always did, which was pretty much every day. I had suggested to Ann she write a book about her journey as I guess most everyone did. It would be so much a blessing to have an opportunity to read her thoughts if she did put anything down that your family would care to share. I am grateful to have met you both at St. Mary’s one early morning in January. I was there with my husband Jim as he was being admitted. We 4 were the only ones waiting and I took the chance of coming over to speak with her and identified myself in such a way she would know who I was, as I had emailed her and she had emailed me but that was the first time we ever saw each other face to face. Please do share your experiences with us. You will have continued support from many people since Ann will be sorely missed and there are those who will still want a connection with her somehow. Also, keep us updated on the upcoming wedding and be sure to share pictures as you did during Ann’s experience. Again, thank you all for allowing us to go as far as we could on this journey with her. God bless you all. Love in Christ, Vicki Newman
I love the tattoos! What a great idea and a wonderful way to carry Ann’s love with you everywhere and for everyone to see! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with all of us. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. You all are truly an inspiration. May God continue to bless you and watch over you.
Sincerely, Jody Myers
Randy, Erin, Meredith and Andrew,
What a neat family you have all shown us in this incredible journey with Ann…unique in so many ways and your love for God and one another is a perfect example. I only hope that I continue to grow my faith in ways you all have long surpassed. What a wonderful way to honor and remember your precious mother.
In Christain Love,
Debbie
I found myself smiling at the words written in today’s
blog, the photos is amazing and a lasting tribute to
your family love
This is precious, Randy. What a sweet reminder of Ann.
Continued prayers for all of you,
Amy Welp
I love the tattoos, what a wonderful way to have Ann with you forever!
The tattoos are a great tribute to your love for Ann and a constant reminder of her love for you. You guys have the best ideas!! Please keep the site going.
I will continue to visit and look forward to finding out more about Gilda’s club. I will be saying extra prayers for you today! Peace, Nancy
What an absolutely fabulous idea!!! She was a wonderful woman. I never had the pleasure of meeting her in person but feel as though I have lost my best friend.
I will keep all of you in my prayers
This is awesome!! A great way to have her love with you every single day!!
What a great idea-I love it! This is my first post to this site but I have been an avid reader. I watched Ann and Randy on the news as a kid and remember thinking how beautiful Ann was!
The tattoo idea is awesome! What a great way to remember her! Thanks for sharing and for allowing everyone to experience this journey with your family.
John did such a good job:)
The visitation yesterday was beautiful and I loved seeing the pictures of the family..
My children and I will continue to keep your family in your prayers as we have for such a long time now..
God Bless,
Heather, Hayden, Noah and Christian W.
I am so sorry! I’ll be praying for all of you. Everything must have happened suddenly. But you are so right, she will be watching and praying for you always!
Randy, I knew you were the BEST newscaster, but also you have done an AWESOME job with this Website. Like others, I remember you and Ann from television and watching you often. I had indeed forgotten what a gorgeous lady (inside and out) Ann was. I used to be the Public Affairs Officer for the USPS and had dealings with the both of you from time to time. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this website and hope you will keep it going. I have friends who are battling cancer and I also work for Deaconess Gateway, so I would love to read more. I hope the Gilda’s Club will become a reality for Evansville. I would be happy to be a part of plans for that as well. Thanks for sharing! You and Ann have a LOVELY family! Be sure to let us know all about plans for the upcoming wedding. God bless! Theresa :)
I only know the Moore’s from the news, but somehow
you loss feels personal. It brought tears to my eyes & physical
pain to my heart when I read about you tattoos. I lost my grandmother who raised my in 2007 7 i know there is very little that hurts
more than losing a parent. You just have to remember that she is
“ALWAYS” with you!! you are so lucky to have had such a great love
in your life.
god bless
I do not know the Moore’s other than seeing them for many years on television. But I feel I have gotten to know them through this site. I heard of Ann’s death on the news, and I was devastated for her family. Randy, the fact that you actually have the strength to write on the blog right after Ann’s death is amazing. I know Ann’s legacy will carry on through you and your children. The tatoos brought me to tears. What an amazing thing to do. I pray that God brings all of you peace and comfort as your mourn your beloved Ann.
Tats they are a great tribute. i have one for my deceased son and my sister on my back and all his friends did as well, they will always be there just like her,, what an incredible woman.
This brings tears to my eyes. It is one of the most beautiful ways I have heard to remember the love. Thank you for sharing it with everyone. Praying for your entire family.
What a blessing Ann was to so many. My heart hurts for you all, and yet I know there is great joy in her heavenly reward. Hey! I’m only human.
I’ll never forget when we lost Bev Ellerbrock at Ch7. Ann spoke out at her memorial service. Ann was poised and elegant and her words were healing. I on the other hand was a blubbering fool. I was so impressed with Ann that day. And although it has been years since I left Evansville, it’s obvious that Ann remains an inspiration to so many.
Know that your family will always be in my thoughts and prayers. You all WILL be okay because Ann is in your hearts.
WIth Love ~ Cathy
I am so glad that you will be keeping this blog going. I’m sure people will continue to view it. Not only was Ann an inspiration, but your whole family is inspirational. I will continue to check in (it has been part of my daily routine since the blog began). Thank you for sharing your family with us. May God continue supplying your family with His special grace during this. :)
Randy & family,
I was interviewed by Randy 3 years ago, but I do not know your family personally. There is most definitely
a special place in Heaven for a family with your resilience. It is awe-inspiring and I commend you. I am a writer and I
wish to share a poem that I personally wrote titled “Timeless Love”….thank you so much for sharing your story…
Like a guiding light of hope and pride
A mother’s love is forever strong
Surpassing the boundaries of time
Lasting our whole lives long
When her journey comes full circle,
A mother’s love lives on…
Memories and stories for generations to come
A mother’s love is never gone
At a time when our world struggles to say these special words, the MOORE family hit a home run! Thanks guys, the tears felt great!
I both feel your pain, and share your love. I lost my mother October 9, 2007. She became ill suddenly, was critical and unable to communicate for 7 1/2 weeks before she passed. My mother was not only my mom, but my best friend. I got a tattoo in remembrance of my mother this Monday,, a flower on my back, as my mom was going to landscape the yard at my newly built house. She had the knowledge and the green thumb and I do not. My flower reminds me of my mother and the love that we shared. You are fortunate that you have something from Ann’s hand and heart to forever carry with you, cherish what a Blessing you received.
Randy, if you are still checking this thread, I wish you the very best! I was Chief News Photograher in my early 20s at Channel 7. My Name is Tom Bell and my e-mail is tcbelljr@roadrunner,com.
I remember great stories I covered with Ann, Jan, and Beverly. I miss them both dearly!!!!