Summer

Our Journal

Reflections Of Grace latest weblog entries

Summer

Aug 05

2010

Summer Flies By…

Posted by tamara in Summer , Sister , Newsletter , Golf , Facebook , Claire

I have been meaning to post an update for a while now, but it seems that I do not either have the right words or the right time…this summer is passing all too quickly! Having Claire’s light shine brightly in our lives is a true joy. I am amazed at the happiness she brings, but daily fight the thoughts that it is not fair that Grace is missing this…she should be here to see Claire! As Garrett reminded us recently, Grace always said that there would be another baby in our family…and now she isn’t here to enjoy her! Grace would have been a great big sister. We have joked that if Grace were here, she would want Claire to change outfits 4 times a day and be the youngest baby ever to wear dress up clothes. One of the special gifts Claire received when she was born was a bathing suit that is really just like a tutu...it was the perfect gift for Grace’s baby sister. When Claire wore it for the first time, I thought that Grace would have adored it!

Along with trying to relish every second with Claire and keep Colin and Garrett involved in soccer, lacrosse and an occasional round of golf, we have been busy with Foundation work this summer. We have been planning the second annual Golf For Grace outing on September 11 and you can now – finally -- Find us on Facebook! All of this hard work by our many supporters is done for the ultimate goal of supporting families with financial relief and finding a cure for pediatric brain cancer. In the months of June and July alone $10,000 was awarded to eight families of children battling brain tumors and an additional 5 grants are set to be delivered by the end of next week. It is such a good feeling to be able to connect with these families and know that our efforts are easing the burden, if just a little bit. At the same time, our hearts will always feel pain as we learn of a new family struggling to deal with the overwhelming emotional and financial weight of a pediatric brain tumor diagnosis. We cannot thank our supporters, fundraisers and volunteers enough for making this family grant program a reality.

We know our work with the Foundation is still in its infancy. Recently we have learned of more children being diagnosed with brain tumors and still others are experiencing progression of their tumors. We have watched as families have passed anniversaries of their child’s journey to heaven and we have read CarePage and Caring Bridge updates that have announced that another precious child has joined Grace. This confirms that our effort to fund research and help families has merely just begun…

I share with you the most recent newsletter from the Reflections Of Grace Foundation. Please click here to read it. We hope to keep you all informed about upcoming events and our accomplishments in this way in the future. If you would like to get email newsletters right to your inbox, be sure to register your name and email address here.

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Romans 15:5-6

Comment (7)

Jun 13

2009

Summer Thoughts

Posted by tamara in swimming , Summer , Reflections Of Grace Foundation , Grace

In the weeks before Grace made her journey to heaven, she had been thinking about summer. She had me draw many pictures and cards for her closest friends with pictures of water, swimming and smiling suns. One even said "Don't you wish it was summer?...I sure do!" She was fondly remembering the summer before when she went up the street to swim with Meghan and Delaney. So, as the summer begins and we embark on yet another season of change without her, it is difficult to get through mere minutes without thoughts leading back to her. I think of the dance recital she so eagerly anticipated. Her dance costume and shoes are hanging by the front door, reminding us of how excited and thrilled she was to get ready for the Showcase and to dance on stage. How she loved the feeling of performing with all of the "big girls"! Knowing that the Showcase is this weekend, it has been hard not to remember her excitement and fight the still-intense pain of heartache.

I realize that it has been a while since I've updated, the truth is that I have tried to write this many times recently and just haven't been able to complete my thoughts. So now there are a few things to share....

May was Brain Tumor Awareness Month and we had a Sarris candy bar sale to raise awareness of DIPG and pediatric brain tumors. Reflections Of Grace Foundation, with the help of Ashley Metz and a group of dedicated "candy salesmen" sold over 3,000 candy bars stickered with brain tumor facts and our foundation information. We made $1,200, and, more importantly, helped to raise awareness about brain tumors and DIPG. Thank you to everyone who helped and bought candy bars, especially to the top candy seller Cheryl Natale who sold 26 boxes at work and through her friends! Please continue to check the Reflections Of Grace website (www.reflectionsofgrace.org) for upcoming information as we continue the mission of helping families and children affected with pediatric brain cancer.

On July 4, 2009, we will travel to Avon Lake, Ohio, for the Smiles For Sophie Forever 2nd Annual Birthday Bash and Dash. The Quayles have become great friends to us and we encourage you to visit www.smilesforsophieforever.org for the details of the race. Emily and Marc brought their family and friends to our race in March and we are happy to share in their mission in memory of their daughter Sophie.

As my school year ended, I guess I overcame another personal hurdle. After not knowing just how I would get through the year with kindergarteners, I realized that the beautiful 5 and 6 year old faces that greeted me each morning were a motivation in my life. They made me smile on days that I thought I couldn't...they filled my heart with pride and joy as I watched them grow into readers and writers...they touched me deeply when they told me that they would miss me and that they loved kindergarten…

So, enjoy the long summer days with your families, watching for “night-light” bugs (that is what Grace called them), swimming, playing in the sun, taking time to simply relax and savor the moments you have been given together.

“A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance…”
Ecclesiastes 3:4

Comment (8)