White Rabbit Day.
- Alisha (Kara’s Sis)
- Nov 22
- 3 min read
There’s this social media trend going around: before the rabbit got us. And honestly, the ones I’ve seen are heartbreaking. People sharing the exact moment before life changed in the worst way. When it popped up on my feed last week, I just froze.
As I lay in Kara's bed with her, I often stare at the calendar I made her last Christmas, the biggest photo in the collage this month is a picture of Kara and me before the rabbit got us…
Festival of Trees Parade Day.
And it was a perfect day with her. She loved socializing at the office, catching the parade from outside the window while simultaneously watching the KWQC broadcast, because she will never miss a TV moment that includes Morgan Ottier. We picked up Armored Gardens cheeseburgers and watched the Hawkeyes play from a tv in our office. And then we went and watched our nephew play basketball, something Kara always enjoys doing. And I think it will forever be stamped in my memory as the last perfect day I had with her.
If I’m being totally honest, I wasn’t very optimistic that we’d make it back to the office today or any day really. But you know how Kara is… she just constantly perseveres. So when the ads started airing for the parade on KWQC, she was ready to rally and make plans to see her friends at the office. And as luck would have it, our nephew Aaden was playing basketball in Eldridge, so we were able to make it to the gym to see them play in the afternoon too. The day was so similar to last year, except that literally everything is different.
As this day got closer, I was having big emotions. Hard to really describe where I’m at with those lately. Many days it's a golf-ball-in-your-throat feeling while you’re fighting back tears. So I suppose we can just call it immense sadness. But I also have so many moments of gratitude. For the people who continue to surround us with prayers and flood us with their love and generosity.
With Kara’s birthday coming up, I’ve been collecting videos and they have been such bright spots in my day. And all the cards she’s received in the mail, she really LOVES mail time. We were able to catch up with Sgt. Harris today and he brought her a card and a beautiful Davenport Police Dept. patch with the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. On the most difficult days, I find so much comfort in all the love that surrounds us. Our community... Team Kara... is really something special.
I’ve mourned this day a thousand times over. After her diagnosis last year, I spent too many hours crying over the thought that we would never get to do this particular day again. But here we are, still moving. And while we are definitely not the same as before, we are still having many good days. I’m so dang proud of her.
Today was a solid reminder to just appreciate the damn days as they come. Because gosh, only God knows when the last of something really is. So revel in today, tell your people that you love them and keep the faith.
If You're New Here
Hi, I’m Alisha, Kara’s sister and biggest advocate. Kara was diagnosed with Stage 4 Triple-Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (TNBC) in December 2024. Her cancer spread to her bones, liver and other areas, making this an incredibly difficult and uncertain journey.
Despite it all, Kara’s light still shines so brightly. She’s full of love, giggles and endless positivity. This blog is where I share updates on her fight, the highs and lows and the incredible community rallying around her.
Thank you for being here, for your love, support and prayers. We need them more than ever. 💛 And of course, Go Hawks!
Team Kara Support Fund
Your gift helps cover travel, caregiving and comfort-related expenses for Kara’s support team. While Kara cannot receive funds directly, your generosity provides the relief and resources we need to keep showing up with love.
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