Rita Nave was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer a month ago. Since then, her daughter Lisa is determined to make sure her remaining time is special.
Lisa and her mother have a close relationship. She explained, “Mom and I, I have to say, we’re best friends. She was my first and probably only true best friend I’ll ever have, other than my husband.” Rita confirmed, “My relationship with her, is number one!”
The two were watching television when an ad for a Kenny Rogers concert came on. Rita lit up and expressed interest in seeing Rogers, someone she’s watched and listened to for a long time. Just like that, Lisa purchased tickets to go. That’s when Rita told her daughter that she would like to meet Kenny Rogers before she passed. What Rita didn’t know, was that Lisa also emailed the Eisenhower Auditorium about her diagnosis and desire to meet Rogers.
The staff at Eisenhower responded the next morning and arranged a meeting for before the concert. Rita was shocked. She explained, “I was thrilled, overwhelmed, and happy. All at one time.”
Seeing her mother so happy made Lisa emotional. She detailed, “I had a lump in my throat because she was so excited. That look on her face. I haven’t seen that in a long time.”
Lisa said that her mother and Rogers acted as if they were long time friends. Rita said, “He was going to take my cane! I said ‘no, you can’t have that!'”
After the meeting, the family enjoyed the concert from the fifth row.
