A Pebble From Polly
'Homesteaders' remember friend who lost her recent battle to cancer
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
Memories of those who have died are heavy on the hearts of the living. That is why one Relay for Life team is remembering a friend who lost her battle to cancer recently.

L-N Photo by Quala Matocha In Memory Of Brenda Andel, Bobby Jean Kainer and Lisa Bubela (l-r) hold a card made in memory of Polly Kraycirik that is being sold at various locations in town in support of the Relay for Life event. Proceeds from the sale of the cards with a $2 or more donation will benefit the American Cancer Society. Kraycirik, who recently died of cancer, was a friend to many in El Campo, lived here for several years and had grown up in Danevang. The Homesteaders Relay for Life team is sponsoring the gift cards that also urge people to remember all loved ones who have died of cancer. Andel, team captain, and Kainer are members of the Homesteaders, and Bubela is selling the cards at her business, Flower's, Etc. You can purchase the cards at Duckett, Bouligny & Collins, and J Brew Coffee Bar & Studio.

Dedicated to the memory of Polly Kraycirik, who died from a very rare cancer that attacks soft tissue called sarcoma cancer, Mid-Coast Title Company's Homesteaders are selling cards entitled "A Pebble from Polly."

Inspiration for the card came from Sandra Kachmar, who is a friend of Polly's, and a member of the Homesteaders.

"During Polly's memorial service, her sisters did her eulogy, and spoke about her love of the outdoors, and how she would always say 'find a rock, hold it in your hand and see how it fits, take it with you to remember the beauty,'" Kachmar said. "They passed around baskets filled with different stones and asked everyone to take one with them."

Drawing from that philosophy, Kachmar came up with the idea- "A Pebble from Polly." But the significance of pebbles and Polly have an even deeper and personal meaning for Kachmar.

"My son Matthew went to Cripple Creek, Colo. with Polly and her son Mac, and when he came back I asked why did he have rocks in his suitcase," Kachmar said. "His 11-year-old answer was, 'Polly told me to save them.' It wasn't until her memorial service, 12 years later, that I understood why there were rocks in his suitcase."

Inside the card created in Polly's memory is a small rock or pebble and a special poem about a small rock or pebble and a special poem about

her, as well as a message about remembering the beauty of life and all cancer victims - "Take this pebble with you, Hold it in your hand, And remember a beautiful moment in your life, Take time to remember all those who have battled cancer, And know you have joined in the fight, the cause.... The search for a cure."

This message and her memorial service were also personal for Kachmar since she has battled cancer herself.

"I am a cancer survivor, and Polly's death hit me especially hard. I wanted to find a way to heal myself, and honor her memory," she said.

Searching for a way to do that, she came up with the pebble card. up with the pebble card.

"I asked permission of her family, and they graciously accepted our offer," she said. "It is my greatest hope that Polly really likes the cards and people will be inspired to participate in the Relay."

Cards are being sold for a $ 2 donation, and will be available at Flowers, Etc., J Brew Coffee Bar & Studio and Duckett, Bouligny & Collins office.

Polly was married to Tom Kraycirik, and they have two children, daughter Kate and son Mac. She was raised in Danevang, and was a fabric designer and had worked at the old Issaac and Carrico plant in El Campo.

A Pebble from Polly is just one of many fund-raisers going on in Wharton County in conjunction with Relay for Life. The Vault Villains at NewFirst National Bank had a bake sale Friday and are selling "in honor" and "in memory" cards for a small donation. These are being displayed in the bank lobby. The Lifesavers, representing El Campo Memorial Hospital and Mid Coast Medical Clinic, raised funds through their silent auction recently and Claudia's Angels are selling chances for prizes. These are just a few of the many events going on to make money for the American Cancer Society.

The Relay for Life event will be held 6 p.m.-6 a.m., Oct. 20-21 at the El Campo High School Ricebird stadium.
"A Pebble from Polly"
No bigger than a minute
Polly was a beautiful redhead with a great sense of style
If you were lucky enough to have met her
Your life was changed forever
For the better
She had genuine appreciation for beauty all around her
She found it in the simplest of things
She believed, while walking through the woods,
Where the trees reach to the heavens,
Over creeks,
Where it was okay to get your feet wet,
Up hills, or maybe even a mountain or two,
You should pick a stone
Hold it in your hand and see how it fit
Then take it with you
To remember the beauty of that moment
And, Polly had cancer
Take this pebble with you
Hold it in your hand
And remember a beautiful moment in your life
Take time to remember all those who have battled cancer
And know you have joined in the fight, the cause....
The search for a cure