Blowing on dandelions and watching the fluff take leave on even the softest of breezes.
Running barefoot and letting the grass squirt up between your toes.
Eating popsicles in the Summer heat as the drips form an orange goatee.
Leaping through sprinklers - flying spread-eagle through the spray.
Commandeering a swing - going back and forth and back and forth, and finally - getting up so high, your mom gasps and yells at you to slow down.
Eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Soaking Oreos in a glass of milk to just the right texture.
Eating Rice Krispies, with raspberries nestled among the snap, crackle and pop.
Pop tarts with chocolate frosting or plain blueberry.
Chocolate chip muffins and donut-holes from Dunkin Donuts every Saturday morning.
Watching Scooby Doo, Sponge Bob Squarepants and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Eating off the ears first, on a chocolate Easter Bunny.
Riding Hot Wheels and tricycles and bicycles, sans training wheels, that sometimes teeter and fall.
Scraped knees and sobbing trips home.
Band aids decorated with the likes of Care Bears and Spiderman.
But sometimes hugs, iodine and band aids won't do.
Tragicially, sometimes there is a crying need for additional help.
St. Jude's is the beacon of light in a parent's darkest night.
ABOUT ST. JUDE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Taylor's Angels wishes to unite with the Soul Patrol in donating to St. Jude's Hospital in Taylor Hicks' name.
They have set up an account, through Fans Care for St. Judes Kids.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Here is the link:
http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=16702f4277e70110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD&cpsextcurrchannel=1
Fans Care for St. Jude Kids:
Uniting fans worldwide for an important goal!
Fans Care for St. Jude Kids is a friendly fund-raising program involving the fans of music artists, actors, athletes, entertainers, television shows and more.
The program unites fans and fan clubs from across the world for one goal – to raise money for the life-saving work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Through Fans Care, donations to St. Jude are made in honor of the donor’s favorite celebrity, team or show.
The program allows fans to show support for their favorite entertainer, while helping the kids of St. Jude at the same time.
"We are where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do more science, more quickly.
Where doctors across the world send their toughest cases and most vulnerable patients.
Where no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay.
We've built America's 3rd-largest health-care charity, with a model that keeps the costs down and the funds flowing, so the science never stops."
"Every child deserves a chance at a life filled with love, laughter, friends and family.
We are working to find the cures that will give these youngsters a fighting chance.
When a child or parent faces an uncertain disease like cancer, they can find hope at St. Jude -- a place where miracles can and do happen."
~ Marlo Thomas ~
There is no better experience for the heart, than reaching down and lifting someone up!
Give thanks for the healthy kids in your lives, and give to those who are not, with the hope that someday all children will be healthy.
Taylor Hicks and the kids from St. Judes, pose for a photo, @ the 2008 Liberty Bowl.
Have I touched your heart today?
Fans Care for St. Jude Kids:
Uniting fans worldwide for an important goal!
Fans Care for St. Jude Kids is a friendly fund-raising program involving the fans of music artists, actors, athletes, entertainers, television shows and more.
The program unites fans and fan clubs from across the world for one goal – to raise money for the life-saving work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Through Fans Care, donations to St. Jude are made in honor of the donor’s favorite celebrity, team or show.
The program allows fans to show support for their favorite entertainer, while helping the kids of St. Jude at the same time.
"We are where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do more science, more quickly.
Where doctors across the world send their toughest cases and most vulnerable patients.
Where no one pays for treatment beyond what is covered by insurance, and those without insurance are never asked to pay.
We've built America's 3rd-largest health-care charity, with a model that keeps the costs down and the funds flowing, so the science never stops."
"Every child deserves a chance at a life filled with love, laughter, friends and family.
We are working to find the cures that will give these youngsters a fighting chance.
When a child or parent faces an uncertain disease like cancer, they can find hope at St. Jude -- a place where miracles can and do happen."
~ Marlo Thomas ~
There is no better experience for the heart, than reaching down and lifting someone up!
Give thanks for the healthy kids in your lives, and give to those who are not, with the hope that someday all children will be healthy.
Taylor Hicks and the kids from St. Judes, pose for a photo, @ the 2008 Liberty Bowl.
Have I touched your heart today?
Have I made you stop and think?
After reading this, did you want to run and grab your kids and grandkids and give them a big hug, and tell them how much you love them?
Would you want St. Jude' resources available for you, should your family ever experience a parent's darkest night??
If you answered yes to any of those questions, I hope that you will add your support today by clicking on the Fans Care for St Jude's link above.
This page is dedicated in loving memory to my son, Jonathan Adam
July 8, 1983 - February 16, 1991
Forever in our hearts,
Love, Mom
"I Believe" ~ Elvis Presley
11 comments:
Bloom, once again you have brought home what is so very important in life. Through my tears, I am rejoicing that there is hope for the children because of St. Jude's, hope that was not available even a few short years ago. Progress is being made each day and I urge everyone to look at their own children and give to St. Jude's in their honor. You will be blessed for sure!
This is a truly beautiful and touching blog!
Bloom-
This was so beautifully done. We don't stop and realize what these precious children are missing in their lives.Thank you for reminding us. And thank God for places like St.Judes. May the memory of your child live on forever! God has your angel and is keeping him until you arrive. God Bless you!
Teri
In a perfect world, all children would be happy, carefree and eating blueberry poptarts.
God bless Danny Thomas for having the foresight to recognize the need for St. Jude's; for the wisdom to know that he could make a difference and for his compassion, generosity and determination which made St. Jude's become a reality.
We are also very blessed to have someone like you, Bloom. This blog is a beautiful, heartfelt dedication to the memory ofJonathan who must be very proud of you today. May your Special Angel work beside you as you tend to your garden of love and beauty.
Thank you for being the wonderful "YOU" that you are. A big cross-border hug for you, my friend!
We are very fortunate to have a hospital where children come first, and money is not a criteria for their treatment. St. Jude has a wonderful reputation. If you need their help, it's readily available. It's one of my favorite programs, and I'm happy to make a donation in Taylor's honor and a dear friend.
Tina, Teri, Karin and Mandy, my thanks to each of you for your heartfelt responses.
Too often people go about their everyday lifes without being thankful for the little things.
When it comes to the joy of a child, every little thing is important to appreciate, enjoy and cherish.
Childhood is all too fleeting as it is, and for families that have a child with a life-threatening illness, each and every moment is precious.
My hope is that I haved touched even just a few hearts of the people who read this blog.
That I have encouraged them to stop and really take a look at all they have to be thankful for.
But it doesn't stop there, it's not enough to just think about how blessed the children in their families are to be healthy and leading normal lifes.
It's a plea that they reach in their pockets to help St. Jude in their continuing efforts of finding the cures that will give all children a chance to live a life filled with big dreams.
Ok, now I am crying...Cant talk,,cant sit ,,but,,,I can cry.....Everything was done and said so beautifully,,,,but, the sign off got me ,,deep in my soul............YOU GO MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bloom,
Beautiful, just beautiful. What a wonderful tribute to your beautiful boy. Thank you for reminding me what is truly important in life. I feel so blessed to have found you and this site. Your angel in heaven is watching over you. God Bless you Bloom. God Bless St. Judes Hospital.
you are a beautiful soul, pure and honest.........just like all the kids in the world......thank you!
Susan, thank you ... I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me that you have been visiting my pond, and that this particular blog was the one that moved you to comment.
I always attempt to write from my heart, but when the words won't come I rely on images to speak for me.
Anonymous said...
Ok, now I am crying...Cant talk,,cant sit ,,but,,,I
The rabbit ears were for you my friend, I shall always now connect them with everything beautiful ... for that is the word that best speaks for your heart!
Anonymous said...
you are a beautiful soul, pure and honest.........just like all the kids in the world......thank you!
I'm just an old soul striving to be a better person, and attempting to always have the positive out weigh the negative each and every day.
I've learned a lot of lessons along the way, I just try to put first the things that are truly the most important, and let everything else just fall into it's place in line.
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