Happy yet sad

2010-03-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day in general. It was sunny and 73 and the kids were pretty good. In the afternoon I had my 4 1/2 year old help me make a few cards for Cards4Cancer, she had a good time but wanted the stickers for herself after a bit.
Then later I get on twitter and thru who I follow find more moms tweeting about their sick, some terminally ill children. It's either brain tumors or Neuroblastoma and its just horrible. It is hard to fathom these children being born to be sick and some to die. They are all here for a very important reason, but it is just way too unfair. I want to hug each and every one of them. I want to donate to them all but I can't. I want to support them any way I can.
I bought a Layla Grace tutu ( from www.littledivatutus.com) for my almost 2 year old for her birthday outfit. When it arrived, I had momentarily forgotten I had ordered it and I began to cry. By the time I received it, little angel Layla had passed away from Neuroblastoma. At least 1/2 of the proceeds are going to her family to pay for all her medical bills.
So tonight after the kids went to bed, and I kissed my little one so much when she fell asleep in my arms, my hubby and I made cards. I chose a children's cancer center and we handmade 13 adorable cards that will hopefully cheer them up and let them know that people that they don't know love them and care about them and think about them. So overall it was a happy day and a bit of a sad day for me. On to the next:-)

Cards4Cancer

2010-03-11T22:46:00.000-08:00

When I was 11 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the next 8 years I watched her battle this disease with everything she had. She tried everything from macrobiotics to jazzercise, and at the end to just becoming more spiritual. I watched as she did chemo and radiation to her head as the cancer went to her brain. Unfortunately she lost that battle when I was 18 and in my first week of college. My worst day ever. I vowed to try to make a difference someday.

Now I am a mom to 3 little ones, ages 2, 3 and 4. I’ve been lucky and healthy so far but feel I may have a ticking time bomb just waiting to be found. My sister and I along with my dad and his wife walk the Susan G. Komen Race for the cure every year in San Francisco. I feel that is not enough even though with 3 toddlers, my time is sparse.

Then one day I am on twitter and find Layla Grace. She is a beautiful 2 year old battling Neuroblastoma, the evilest of evils. I read for almost 3 weeks as her parents watched her die slowly but bravely. I haven’t cried that much since my mother passed away 20 years ago. Unfortunately Layla lost her battle a few days ago. There is something about this little girl and her fight and her amazing family that has touched so many people, thousands of them, and it touched me too. It made me love my kids more, I’m trying to be a better mother because of Layla. I even prayed once for Layla to be healed. I haven’t prayed since before my mother died. This little girl inspired me to do more.

Then on another twitter I see Cards4Cancer and I know this is something I can do! I know moms of little ones who will want to do this with me. I emailed all the moms I know and made flyers for my kids preschool in hopes of reaching as many people as I possibly can.

I went to the art store and bought stuff and we as a family will be making cards this week. I have friends who are making cards who may enlist their friends. I want to deliver them to the cancer center at Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. I want to cheer up these kids even if it is just for a few minutes or an hour.

Thank you Layla Grace for inspiring me to do more! I will never forget you!

It's a Crazy Life

Happy yet sad

Cards4Cancer