I will warn you ahead of time, this post is slightly a downer. So if you decide not to read the whole thing I won't be offended.
This has been a very tough week. Please forgive me for being vague. I want to honor the privacy of those who are dealing with the hardest point in their lives.
For a few weeks now some friends have been watching their son's health go downhill. Their son was born with spina bifida and recently got pneumonia. Generally, those with spina bifida can live relatively long lives.... as long as they don't get pneumonia. His doctors have tried very hard to get this little boy better. I hate to say that he was unable to recover. His parents lost a sweet little boy. I can't imagine what his parents and the rest of his family are going through.
Also, my coworker and his wife suddenly lost their precious 3 month old daughter this week. This really hit home for me and breaks my heart. I don't want to give too much information, again, in respect to the family's privacy. But I can share that she was a perfectly healthy little girl and her passing was extremely sudden and unexpected. They believe the cause was SIDS.
Both of these losses have been really hard on my group of friends. One friend was very close to the family of the little boy and her and her husband both worked closely with our coworker. My sister and I have our family's babies and Noah is very close to the age of the little girl.
It's so hard to even fathom what these families are going through. I would do anything to protect my child. Knowing that you can do absolutely nothing to save them.... No one should have to bury their child. No one.
I don't even know how to console them. What do you say to someone that just lost their child?? How can I say anything that would help?
Sorry, I know most of this doesn't make sense. I'm just so brought aback by both of these events. I can't imagine losing my child. Or a family member losing a child. I love my child with every thread of my being. The only way I can think of it feeling is it being like your heart was ripped out.
I savor in every moment I have with Quorra and the rest of the babies. You never know what the next moment holds so hug your loved ones tight and tell them you love them.
I love cleaning her poop and throw-up. I love putting her to my breast to feed her. I love how she drools all over my face when she grabs me and gives me "kisses." I love when she screams just to be heard. I love her cries and her whines. I love her giggles and smiles. I love her smacks, pinches, and headbutts. I love when she smells fresh bath sweet and when she smells like cheesy-feet. I love everything about her. I will let her know everyday, multiple times a day.
Over the past few days I have found myself stopping just to revel in her. Just to hold her. (I've done the same thing with Noah too...) I feel so lucky to have Quorra, Noah, Broderick, George, and Benjamin and for them all to be happy and healthy babies. I will pray that they stay happy and healthy and enjoy every moment with them.
Okay, so I'm going to wrap this up because I'm sure I'm being a total bummer but I just want you to please tell your loved ones how much they really mean to you. Hold them. Kiss them. Life is precious and we never know what the next day may hold.
I also want to encourage everyone to please take CPR, especially if you have a little one.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Relay Recap
Last Friday was our local Relay for Life. My friends and I participated and I'm so glad we were able to be a part of this amazing event. Of course, our team name was the Real Housewives of Harrisonburg. We already called ourselves that so it was the obvious choice.
We sold delicious goodies while we were there and made over $200 in that night alone. Over all, we made $1950! I'm so glad that we passed our goal and were able to help fund research for better cancer treatments, help patients and families as they fight, and help to make more birthdays.
There were soooo many people there! They said this was the biggest turnout they have had so far, which is great. Other groups sold yummy food too and we were more then happy to help them raise funds. My favorite was the fresh doughnuts. Mmmm....
We walked and hung out with the ladies and the babies.
The luminary ceremony was incredibly touching. Friends and families lite candles in honor and memory of those affected by cancer. Then bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" which reminded me of my grandparents and uncle. I looked over to my dad who was in tears. That was the kicker for me.
I know that you are totally stoked to help the cause. You can put together your own Relay team at the Relay for Life website or you can donate to our team next year. Together we can kick cancer's ass.
We sold delicious goodies while we were there and made over $200 in that night alone. Over all, we made $1950! I'm so glad that we passed our goal and were able to help fund research for better cancer treatments, help patients and families as they fight, and help to make more birthdays.
There were soooo many people there! They said this was the biggest turnout they have had so far, which is great. Other groups sold yummy food too and we were more then happy to help them raise funds. My favorite was the fresh doughnuts. Mmmm....
We walked and hung out with the ladies and the babies.
The luminary ceremony was incredibly touching. Friends and families lite candles in honor and memory of those affected by cancer. Then bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" which reminded me of my grandparents and uncle. I looked over to my dad who was in tears. That was the kicker for me.
We stayed until about 3:30am but I wish we had stayed all night. I would love to do the Relay for Life again next year and now that we have some experience we'll be better prepared. And since the babies will be older next year it should definitely be easier.
I know that you are totally stoked to help the cause. You can put together your own Relay team at the Relay for Life website or you can donate to our team next year. Together we can kick cancer's ass.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Why I Relay
You may have already heard from my sister, Jessica over at Heart on Homestead, we are participating in this year's Relay for Life.
The Relay for Life is held by the American Cancer Society and raises money to help find cures, better treatment, and help those currently affected by cancer in many different ways. Cancer has touched our family and friends and is a horrible thing to face. The Relay was mentioned in one of our many get-togethers with the RHH and we decided to go for it.
We all have our own reason why we Relay. This is mine:
I Relay because my grandfather was a great man. He was the keystone of our family and I wish so much that he was here to meet my daughter. He had throat cancer, which he fought and beat. Then he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He fought that and had surgery to remove part of his lung. When he was re-diagnosed years later he didn't want to fight anymore. He decided he just wanted to be home with his family and enjoy the time he had left with them. I saw him soon before he passed away and he was in pain, couldn't eat more than a couple bites of food at a time, and was just a portion of the man I remembered. It hurt so much to see him like that. I knew when he passed that he was in a place where he could no longer suffer but he shouldn't have had to suffer like that. I feel like cancer stole him from our family.
I Relay because my Uncle George, Nicole at Pampers and Pumps' father, fought childhood cancer. He was able to beat it but the treatments were not what they are today and they gave him another list of problems. He was diagnosed with skin cancer and prostate cancer as an adult. Not only was he fighting these cancers he was dealing with fluid surrounding his heart and lungs. He had numerous procedures to help remove/lessen the fluid but it continued to return. There was a point where he needed a lung transplant to survive. Unfortunately, he could not receive the transplant at the time due to his prostate cancer diagnosis being so recent. I saw him work just to breathe. He lost a lot of weight and looked sick and tired. I hated seeing him like that. I am so glad that I was able to visit him in the hospital the month before he passed. My uncle never got to meet my daughter, which really upsets me, but he knew that she was born and that we were doing well. Quorra attended his funeral at only a couple weeks old. My cousin's sons will never know their grandfather. Cancer and side effects from the treatments are why all the babies will never get to meet my amazing Uncle George.
I Relay because my friends have lost family members to cancer. Because my friends have parents who have spent years fighting cancer. Because my husband has lost family members to cancer. I Relay for those who won't get to watch their kids grow up. For those who have lost spouses, parents, siblings, and best friends. For those who have taken care of a family member or friend that is fighting. I Relay because cancer sucks. I Relay to make more birthdays.
Ever dollar helps find cures and better treatments. Please consider donating to our team. Even just $5. Remember that donations are tax deductible, so you can get the money back.
Help us make more birthdays.
Visit my personal Relay for Life page to make a donation. You can donate there or you can click on my team's page and donate toward the team's goal.
How has cancer affected you? Why do you Relay?
The Relay for Life is held by the American Cancer Society and raises money to help find cures, better treatment, and help those currently affected by cancer in many different ways. Cancer has touched our family and friends and is a horrible thing to face. The Relay was mentioned in one of our many get-togethers with the RHH and we decided to go for it.
We all have our own reason why we Relay. This is mine:
I Relay because my grandfather was a great man. He was the keystone of our family and I wish so much that he was here to meet my daughter. He had throat cancer, which he fought and beat. Then he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He fought that and had surgery to remove part of his lung. When he was re-diagnosed years later he didn't want to fight anymore. He decided he just wanted to be home with his family and enjoy the time he had left with them. I saw him soon before he passed away and he was in pain, couldn't eat more than a couple bites of food at a time, and was just a portion of the man I remembered. It hurt so much to see him like that. I knew when he passed that he was in a place where he could no longer suffer but he shouldn't have had to suffer like that. I feel like cancer stole him from our family.
I Relay because my Uncle George, Nicole at Pampers and Pumps' father, fought childhood cancer. He was able to beat it but the treatments were not what they are today and they gave him another list of problems. He was diagnosed with skin cancer and prostate cancer as an adult. Not only was he fighting these cancers he was dealing with fluid surrounding his heart and lungs. He had numerous procedures to help remove/lessen the fluid but it continued to return. There was a point where he needed a lung transplant to survive. Unfortunately, he could not receive the transplant at the time due to his prostate cancer diagnosis being so recent. I saw him work just to breathe. He lost a lot of weight and looked sick and tired. I hated seeing him like that. I am so glad that I was able to visit him in the hospital the month before he passed. My uncle never got to meet my daughter, which really upsets me, but he knew that she was born and that we were doing well. Quorra attended his funeral at only a couple weeks old. My cousin's sons will never know their grandfather. Cancer and side effects from the treatments are why all the babies will never get to meet my amazing Uncle George.
I Relay because my friends have lost family members to cancer. Because my friends have parents who have spent years fighting cancer. Because my husband has lost family members to cancer. I Relay for those who won't get to watch their kids grow up. For those who have lost spouses, parents, siblings, and best friends. For those who have taken care of a family member or friend that is fighting. I Relay because cancer sucks. I Relay to make more birthdays.
Ever dollar helps find cures and better treatments. Please consider donating to our team. Even just $5. Remember that donations are tax deductible, so you can get the money back.
Help us make more birthdays.
Visit my personal Relay for Life page to make a donation. You can donate there or you can click on my team's page and donate toward the team's goal.
How has cancer affected you? Why do you Relay?
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