The Gift & Giving It:
Everyone who even knows me a little bit knows that I never really ask for help. I’d rather run myself down to empty and do everything alone just for the self fulfillment that I could and I did. I don’t know if that’s a positive or negative thing but it’s what it is. This is not one of those times.
I am also a very purpose driven person. I often turn off all the noise around me and give myself a little therapy or “self evaluation” on what I’m doing, how I’m doing, how I’m feeling…if you haven’t done that before, I urge you to try it.
I ask myself things like:
How am I using my time? Is it used in a healthy, positive or helpful way?
How can God use me to make a meaningful difference with the people who cross my path?
How can my voice be heard to make a powerful impact in the world?
I believe that If you are smart, use your knowledge to teach others looking to learn. If you are personable, use your social skills to bring others together for a purpose. If you are strong carry someone who is weak. If you are resourceful, use your resources for something powerful. Everyone has gifts and we use our unique craft or attributes for our careers or to better our lives but do we use them enough for what isn’t necessarily for ourselves? Or for a bigger picture?
I’ve been honest about not being the smartest person with the highest level of education. Luckily, without that, I was gifted the ability to get by with the perseverance to figure new things out. What may have been pegged as a distraction when I was growing up, being social, has now become a tool in my adult life to be successful in ventures I take. My love for people, communicating, being open and extending into others lives has helped me because I’ve built credible relationships with the people around me. Thankfully, they have gathered together and get involved in things I am passionate about because I’ve built trusting relationships.
With all of that said, one time a year, for the third year, I am asking my family, friends or anyone who comes across this page for help. This is something I cannot do alone, it’s something that I need YOUR help with.
The Back Story:
Three years ago, I was praying to God. I asked him to help me make sense of this gray area I was stuck in. Why didn’t I have my own family yet like all of my friends? What is the reason you’re keeping me in this spot that I feel just “stuck”. I wondered if a family would even be in the cards for me. As I continued to pray, I told God, if this isn’t the time for me to be a mom, I’m going to be the best aunt ever. Maybe that’s my purpose.
I was right. Just not how I wanted to be or how I ever thought I would be. God did indeed need me to be the best aunt ever. He needed me to step up my game way more than what I ever expected to come. So unfortunately, two months after that desperate prayer, my sweet, happy, healthy God brother was diagnosed with cancer. At just 2 years old, he had a brain tumor that needed to be treated intensely right away. The whole world came crashing down when that terrible news was heard.
Everyone had to come together and act quickly. My family and I came together with our brave faces on, faithful hearts full and praying to our Father to protect and heal little Elliott. I knew God needed me to be there for Elliott’s parents, for Elliott and for childhood cancer. I was able to give my time going to be there with them during surgery, travel to Memphis to visit them at St. Jude and witness first hand the 110% effort and care they give, put together charitable events for this family who had to uproot their life and leave their jobs to care for and comfort their son. I know that their gratitude is unmeasurable to all the people who did what they could so that they could be there with Elliott because what none of us knew was that it would be their last months with him.
The love I have for this family is too much to put into words, I could write forever telling you how great they are. Elliott’s parents, Daniel and Mary are two of the most loving, giving and selfless people I’ve ever met! Their son did not beat his battle with cancer. And I know that pains them more than we could ever even imagine to know. But with that pain, they still want to make a difference for other families who have to hear the same news they did. They want to raise money for St. Jude so other kids have at least a fighting chance against cancer and in a perfect world, a cure. They have ran the marathon in Memphis to support St. Jude, they put together a team here in Chicago to bring family and friends together to support St. Jude. And they attend St Jude’s other charitable events. I’m sure none of these things are easy for them to go to like it would be if Elliott’s story had a different ending. But they still do it. How amazing are they?
The Mission:
So again, one time a year, I ask for help. I, along with my family and friends, am participating in the St. Jude Run/walk in Chicago to raise money for children battling cancer. I have been so extremely moved by the amount of support that my community has shown for this cause that’s so close to my heart.
Little Lake County should be so proud because our little suburban area has put Team Elliott in the top 2 highest donations made in the Chicago event both years so far. That’s incredible.
Cancer is a terrible disease that takes the lives of so many people. Everyone has been affected by cancer in some way or another. Knowing that children sadly lose their lives before it really ever begins is just heartbreaking. And it needs to stop.
YOU are here for a reason.
YOU landed on this page on purpose.
YOU are making your meaningful difference.
YOU are making your positive impact.
YOU are giving back and for nothing in return because it’s for the bigger picture.
And I am doing it with you.
Join me to raise money for the families of a child battling cancer. Join me by donating to my team and saying, I am with Team Elliott and we are raising money in honor of our little angel baby, Elliott. There’s no amount that is too little. EVERY dollar makes a difference and is appreciated whole heartedly.
September 8th is around the corner and I look forward to coming together with our team to make Elliott proud.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!
Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer, and I need you to help me reach my fundraising goal. Support me by making a donation or by joining my team.
Why I support St. Jude:
- Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for anything – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
- St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate for childhood cancer from less than 20% when we first opened our doors to 80% today. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer.
