Jim Tennant's Blog

Original Blog Posts

October 12, 2007

I am very excited to be able launch SCARF this year! It’s been just over a year since Sherri’s passing, and to be able to announce our Foundation to help others in her name is very exciting and rewarding. When we created the SherriFoundation.com as a temporary site for SCARF, the vision of so much more was in the wings.

Within 12-months SCARF has completed the arduous task of filing and gaining approval for State and Federal exception status- average approval timeframe 24-36 months - built a high caliber Board of Directors Team that is committed to the cause, redesigned our website to incorporate melanoma information, contribution opportunities, and a variety of resources…and we’ve only just begun!

To be honest, it was difficult the first several months not allowing my emotions to be a distraction to SCARF’s overall purpose. It’s through the strength of the board members, friends and family that have given me the encouragement to turn the dedication I had for my wife, to the passion and commitment in building a successful foundation. It is my hope that over the years, SCARF will continue to grow in awareness and support, and that communities across the country will know more about melanoma, it’s causes, preventions and treatments. Our goals are realistic: we are not after a ‘cure’, but to be able to prevent new cases, prolong lives through advanced treatment, and educate all ages that melanoma is a deadly cancer and that education needs to start at a young age.

This past year has been a challenge. Trying to balance work, home and parenting a son has been difficult. Time is precious and so limited, it becomes a daily struggle to fit everything in. However, through these challenges, I’ve survived, met new people and have much pleasure and love in my heart. Taking time out for friends and our new Golden Retriever puppy, Sam, has filled me with a new life, and I look forward to the future.

Thank you to the entire community of friends and family that have ‘been there’ for both Justin and I this past year…we are very thankful for your support!

July 25th

Where has time gone? I can hardly believe that July is almost over.

We have succeeded with the first step to my vision in starting a Foundation in the name of my wonderful wife. Sherri was the most unselfish, caring, sincere and beautiful woman that I have ever met. I know, I'm a bit biased, but it's true all the same. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about her or still talk to her in some way.

After much research, I thought it would take at least a year if not several to begin the process and have our Foundation approved. We are ahead of schedule by months! To the Boards surprise, SCARF was approved on June 27th, after only 4-months in the application and processing stage. In my research, I know several Foundations took years to get approved.

While we have been approved, we have so much more to go. First, our web site is under a major redesign. It will be much deeper and more comprehensive. It will cover our partnerships and distribution of contributions. Individuals and Corporations will have the ability to donate funds to assist the education and research of a variety of facilities.

Second, we will be marketing SCARF on a local level in Contra Costa County for 2007-08. We hope to grow to a point where this will be my full-time employment and can spend 150% of my time devoted to this worthwhile cause! We will have local events, including the Annual Melanoma March, SCARF Golf Tournament, SCARF Tea Gathering, SCARF Dinner Auction and Benefit, and so much more.

Lastly, we will be speaking at schools and events, spreading the word about what Melanoma is, and how to detect and treat it.

Please return often and we gear up for so much more on SCARF!

God Bless! - Jim

April 9th

Justin and I had a wonderful Easter with family in Modesto, CA. Sherri's brother was in town and we drove to be with my Mother, Sister and her family. My brother, Rob & and his wife, Hope came down from Roseville, and we all enjoyed being together as a family. An Easter egg hunted netted both chocolate and money this year! My nieces, Kasey & Kristyn, both of whom were accepted at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for the fall semester, were there playing in the spirit with Justin.

The Foundation is making progress. We've had two board meetings and will continue to have monthly meetings as we plan and strategize about the web-site, organizations to partner with, create our branding, and ultimately have our 501(c) 3 status approved by the State. We need this status to implement the events that we have on our schedule. We have received our Articles of Incorporation and EIN from the State.

The excitement of seeing vision and ideas come together is very fulfilling. While this is still all being done by volunteers, the hope is one day to development enough momentum we can branch out, hire a full-time staff and continue to help educate the country about early detection and prevention of melanoma cancer.

Please continue to visit often as we have constant changes being completed on the site!

Feb 18th

It’s hard to believe that it's been over 5-months since our loss of Sherri. She still remains so much a part of our everyday lives. Justin & I have been busy with work, school and household chores, trying to find a schedule amongst the chaos. Our kitchen remodel is nearly complete. Since November, Justin and I have been living in a portion of the house that had been completed. The kitchen, dining and family rooms have all been redone. The kitchen cabinets that Sherri picked out and helped design are beautiful. Walls were removed to make room for an island and counter stool area. Justin and I feel fortunate to have such a beautiful home - all of which would not have been possible without the help & support of our friends and family immediately following Sherri's death.

The Sherri Foundation, SCARF, will be taking our time in the coming months, as we get State approval and begin to organize the events that we would like to have in our first year. We'd love to get the community together, learn about melanoma and share what we learned in the process to help others.

Dec 23rd

Justin and I will be spending Christmas with Sherri's brother, Brent. We will be in Vancouver, WA for four days and hope to share many more stories of Sherri. Some days it feels like she died yesterday. We've been busy with school, homework, my new job and daily activities. I know time will heal, but it's still much to early to think about not having her around. I miss my soul mate, my friend, her smile, smell, voice & touch...Merry Christmas Sweetie...we love you. Justin & Jim

You can post a note to Sherri on the Contra Costa Times Legacy website at: Contra Costa Legacy

Nov 27th

Justin and I are doing better each day we have a routine. We had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with my brother-in-laws family, Mother, Sister and kids. A total of 17-people in all - it was wonderful! I know the holidays will be difficult, but having family around makes it a very warm & loving holiday. We plan to spend time with Sherri's brother, Brent, during the Christmas break.

Justin's back in school after a week off for Thanksgiving. I start my new employment as Channel Manager with Covad Communications this week. The kitchen remodel that Sherri worked so hard to plan and select is well into its’ second week.

If you had the opportunity to attend the November 10th Benefit Dinner, you now know how wonderful our neighbors are! Thank you to everyone who attended this beautiful event. If you did not get a CD of some of Sherri's favorite artists, please let me know and I can burn and send you a copy.

Bless you and Happy Holidays!

Oct 29th

It's nearly been two months now since Sherri's passing and I visit this site to see some of the wonderful pictures that were at her service. Every time we go to church, I reflect about Sept. 10th and how beautiful the service was, the individual speakers and wonderful display of pictures and treasures that were displayed in the rear of the church. There is not a day that goes by that I don't shed a tear in a memory or vision I shared with Sherri. I know these memories will continue for years!

I begin my new employment after the Thanksgiving break. I was blessed to find an opportunity to work from my home office a majority of the time. This will allow the much needed flexibility in my daily schedule now being a single parent.

Justin & I attended a Grief Counseling class sponsored by Hospice of Contra Costa for the last six weeks. My broken wrist is healing nicely and I'm able to type a bit easier with a splint on rather than a cast.

I look forward to seeing many of you on November 9th and the weeks ahead!

All my prayers to everyone who has prayed for our family! God Bless!

Sept 30th

It's hard to believe that it's already been four weeks since Sherri went to a better place. Some days it seems like she died just yesterday. Justin & I are taking each day as it comes, making the best of each day and each other. We've come to learn a lot about each other over the last year. I've been very fortunate to have spent most of my awake time with him since November last year. He has grown into a young man in front of my eyes. I gain strength and energy just being around him - thank the Lord for my son, Justin!

Thank you to so many people who have stayed in touch via phone calls and e-mails to see how we're doing. We're doing okay. Justin and I know we are fortunate to have friends and family like you...that care enough to give us space, yet make sure we know you're there, thinking and praying for us each day.

People say 'Time' will heal. While I know that is true, I continue to tell myself that same thing over & over.

This web site will remain up for as long as we continue to get viewers. Amazing enough, we are still quite a few viewers each day of the week. May God and Sherri in heaven help give you peace in your lives, and the strength to know she's in a better place and without anymore pain. We'll all be with her someday...I know that is true! We love you Sherri...miss you...

Sunday, Sept 3rd

I will always cherish and remember the 16-years that I knew Sherri. She was my inspiration, motivation and rock of life! She was an incredible person, nurse and friend to so many people. She has touched & helped the lives of so many. I feel honored to have been in her life and be her husband. I have lost my wife, and my best friend. Justin has lost his Mother and best friend. Words cannot express the pain and emotion we feel right now. While we've had over 10-months to prepare, I can say it's impossible to prepare for anything like this. We have been fighting, praying and hoping for the past 10-months that we would win this fight. Right now, it's very hard to understand why Sherri is no longer with us - since we still wanted to go back East for more treatment.

I'm so thankful to have my son, Justin, who has been tremendously strong through this entire journey.

I'm thankful for all the friends and family who have been there to support my entire family.

Thank you and God bless you!

“I love you with all my heart Sherri ... you can rest in peace now .... your loving husband,"

--Jim