Tag: Black Friday

Turkey, Tears and a little Apple Pie, too

Ronan. Yesterday was one of those beautifully bittersweet days that will forever be. We spent the day at home, together enjoying each other and just taking it easy. I cooked an apple pie while Macy made her pumpkin. Fernanda came by with a turkey that she had made for us. She brought her 5 kiddos, too. I got to get in some hugs and kisses from her sweet baby girls who are 4. I think about that a lot. How they are just a little older than you, before you left this world. I like to sit back and watch them and imagine what you would have been like if you had ever had the chance to be their age. If you would have been here, you would have been running around with your brothers and Fernanda’s boys, shooting toy guns and playing some hide and seek game with them. You would have been in the middle of everything. Fernanda and her gang soon left just as our other friends started to arrive.

Mandy came with her family. Melissa came with hers. Uncle Jay stopped by, too. Soon our house was filled with the warmness and happiness that it sometimes lacks. The girls got all the food ready while the guys watched the football game that was on T.V. The kids all played outside, throwing the football and playing hide and go seek. Melissa’s daughter hung out with us and we did girly things like paint her nails. With sparkles of course. We all sat down for dinner, in the most informal way. Just the way we like it. The kids at one table and all the adults kind of scattered about. All of the girls, sat around our dining room table. The guys went back and forth between us and the football game they were immersed in. It was a nice, low-key dinner. Your absence was so very present though. There is never a time where we aren’t thinking about your or missing you. That goes without saying, always. At one point during dinner, Melissa quietly said a little something about you. That is one of the reasons I appreciate her so much. It’s the little things, such as her simply saying for as thankful as she was to be with all of us, in our home for Thanksgiving, that the reason we were all together was so sad. It is due to your absence that we were in the company we were in. It is so true. It’s because of you, that we are surrounded by our dear friends, some whom we wouldn’t have known if it wouldn’t have been for going through something as awful as this. I started to cry at the table, Macy next and everyone else soon followed. Tears and turkey it was. Tears and turkey it will always be. After dinner, we let the kids beat the shit out of a piñata that has become a tradition of ours during Macegiving. They had such fun doing it but once again, even during all the giggles and excitement, I couldn’t help but think of how unfair that you were not there, to join in on the fun. You would have loved our untraditional holiday, so very much. Pinata’s, mexican food, mullets, mustaches, fireworks and a bit of turkey, too. That’s how we roll on Macegiving. It was a night full of love, laugher, and sadness. Another holiday down. I was just glad to have gotten through it and I was even more glad when it was over. Holidays will never be the same for me again. They just don’t have much meaning for me anymore. They have become something that I feel our world puts so much silly importance on, while the real meaning gets lost in translation. Why do we sit around one day a year and take that one day to try to be thankful for all that we have? Shouldn’t it be like this every single day that we are alive and healthy? I swear I heard more about Black Friday then the actual being thankful for Thanksgiving. That makes me want to vomit. It’s the real world petty bullshit that I have such a hard time with. All week I felt like covering my eyes and ears to all that was going on around me. I don’t want to hear about all the amazing black friday sales. I don’t want to hear about the fightings and shooting over all the sale item stuff. Because at the end of the day, that’s all it is, is stuff. And as we all know, stuff isn’t what matters most in life. But fuck, do people sure act like jackasses about it. Clearly, these people have never watched a kid die from cancer, right? And if so, then I don’t really even have words for that. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good bargain in life. But when it comes the day after I was supposed to sit around and be thankful for all that I ALREADY have, well that to me just seems a little ironic. And stupid. And I want nothing to do with it.

The day after Thanksgiving we didn’t do anything. I was wiped out, Macy was wiped out, everybody seemed to have an emotional hangover. We stayed at home. Cuddled. Watched some movies. Took naps. Ate. I felt like I was in a coma. I forget how the emotionally exhausting these holidays are for me until they hit me the next day. Holidays are exhausting regardless. Add a dead child to that and times it by 1000. It is almost unbearable at times. I knew that I could take one day to gather my strength back up but once Saturday came, I was going to have to face the day. I was glad when Saturday arrived as I had a plan of action. I do much better in the world when I’ve got a plan in place. Without one, I feel like I am just floating around, trying to make it through the day without wanting to slit my wrists. A plan for me, keeps me focused and in line. It’s almost my lifeline in a way.

Macy and I ran around getting some things for your Candy Cart, Ro. We had made a plan with Phoenix Children’s Hospital to do your candy cart on Saturday. In my mind, I was thinking about all of those kids, stuck in the hospital who didn’t get to go home for the holiday. In my mind, I knew of a way that I could bring some smiles to their faces in a really easy way. In my mind, I was also selfishly thinking of me and how I knew doing something like this, for others helps me to get through rough things like Thanksgiving. I also knew your Macy would be honored to be a part of it. I was so excited when Saturday came around it was all you and these kids. We decked out your cart with candy and toys. Thanks to the awesome company, Spirit Hoods, we also had some really great animal inspired hoodies to give out as well. Remember how we used to wear ours in the hospital all the time? How soft they are and how warm they kept your little bald head? They contacted me a while ago and asked if they could send me a bunch. I was of course, over the moon about that. Their hoods make such perfect sense to give to all of these bald-headed babes. Stacy, Mandy Bee and Macy all helped me with the cart at PCH. You should have seen the smiles that I got to see today. You should have seen the way the kids’ faces lit up over the goodies that we brought. You should have seen the way that I felt a little bit happy, being able to do something so wonderful in honor of you. You might think after going through all of this, that I would never want to walk on an oncology floor again? Not true. It is the only place I feel sane in. It is the only place I feel like I belong. Not only did I get to make the kids smile today, but I got to make some parents smile as well. That to me, means just as much. We ended your candy cart day by walking to the elevators and I hadn’t really seen any of us cry yet. I looked over at your Macy and saw her wiping away her tears. That gets me every time. Once she starts, I start and then there is no stopping it. She said something ridiculous like, “I’m sorry. I have a crying problem.” I laughed and thought to myself…”A crying problem? I don’t think so. More like the biggest most genuine heart I’ve ever seen anybody in my life, have.” I don’t know what I would do without that girl, Ronan. I thank my lucky stars every single day that she came into our lives when she did. I thank my lucky stars every single day that I watched the two of you, fall head over heels in love with each other. I thank my lucky stars that she is still here and is still one of my very best friends. Thank you, Ronan for our New York Miss Macy. She is my sunshine during these very dark days.

I’m tired. It’s late. I miss you, so very much. I miss you. I love you. I hope you are safe. Sweet dreams, baby boy.

xoxo

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Taylor Swift loves Rockstar Ronan! And I don’t love Obnoxious Complainers! So shut up!

 

 

 

 

Ro baby. I am trying to breathe tonight. I am trying to focus on all the yummy goodness that has filled my days. Because of you, and the effect you are having on the world. I actually had a lady come up to me today and tell me that I didn’t only change her life, but I am creating a movement. A movement, Ro. I hugged her. I cried. But what is new….. I’m always crying. Those were powerful words that she said to me, as she looked me in the eyes as I watched her eyes, well up with tears. I told her it was all you. Not me. Never me. Always you.

So, I am trying to let some things off of my chest because there are people who just don’t get this, or who do get it and just choose to ignore this and are not worthy of your story. They just are not. And I have to accept that. I cannot change everybody. I cannot change the person who knows your story, knows who I am but does not care. So, she sits in front of me and bitches about all the stress in her life, like the remodel of the 1 of her several homes. Complains right in front of me Ronan! And I am so pissed at myself tonight. I sat back and pretended like I wasn’t standing right there, as if I was invisible because I know if I let myself get pissed about the all of the asshole people in the world, that I am going to wasting a lot of time and energy on negativity. I have enough Inferno Fuckwad Bob in my life to go around for everyone. Do I really need to add to it? Do I really need to let stupid shit, get under my skin? No. But it does because I am human. And I know what it means to have real things to worry about such as just trying to stay alive. Every day I pray for death because the love of my life, DIED, of Childhood Cancer. I’ve got to come up with a new plan. And it cannot consist of the berserk fantasy moment I had in my head where I ripped this ladies hair out and told her to shut the fuck up because she has all of her babies and that is all that matters. I am going to have to take a less violent approach so I don’t get my ass shipped off to tent city with Sheriff Joe. It will maybe just have to be something like, “Oh, do you know Ronan? (slip her one of your little cards) Oh you do?(because everyone that lives in our very big but very small little city does) I am so glad. He is amazing. You know he died from Childhood Cancer, right? But gosh, I am really sorry that you are so stressed out over your home remodel. I hope it turns out to be beautiful.” Kill em’ with kindness, right Ro? Either that, or just choose to look the other way. Fuck that. I’m not looking the other way anymore. People need to wake up and stop bitching about such nonsense. Your house remodel, is NOT a problem. Your nanny quitting, is NOT a problem. Your nail breaking, is NOT a problem. Kids dying, everyday IS a problem. The dad just diagnosed with Lung Cancer, who is not a smoker, IS a problem.  All of the kids around the world, who don’t have homes or families, IS a problem. Not getting to wipe your babies sweet tears anymore, because he is DEAD, is a FUCKING PROBLEM!!!

Enough with the complaining about make-believe problems. Go visit a Children’s Oncology floor and then see if you can leave there, still bitching about your problems. Actually, do not go and visit this floor. The fact that you sat and complained in front of me today, is your fucking problem, not mine. You are not worthy being surrounded by all the beauty that shines off a kids Oncology floor. You are not worthy of any of the beauty that is going to come from Ronan’s story. Do you know what I heard today, asshole lady? I met the most beautiful family. Little Elizabeth Blair who has Stage IV Non-Hodgkins Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. She was talking about her bald head and how she doesn’t have blond hair, like her mommy anymore. Her mom just looked at her and said, “But where does beauty come from, Elizabeth?” Elizabeth answered right away. She said, “It comes from here,” and pointed at her HEART. Her heart ladies and gentleman. This 5-year-old knows more than most adults. This 5-year-old knows what is truly important in life. This 5-year-old is going to grow up to be an incredible young lady. I am pretty sure she would have anyway, due to the family that she is surrounded by. But now she has that extra sparkle in her eye, that most people do not. A sparkle in her eye, just like you did, Ro. The sparkle that is going to help to change this world. And hopefully make more people, stop complaining about stupid shit and doing something that will actually help to make a difference. Even if it means they just make their kids’ lunches for school and give the nanny/housecleaner, the day off. So be it. It’s a start. Baby steps can be done. They can be done and they can turn into something much bigger.

Maybe it starts with giving the Nanny the day off, paid of course and actually driving your kids to school, yourself. Then guess what? The next thing you know, instead of spending Thanksgiving basking in too many pies and food to eat, you and your entire family, spend a few hours, in a soup kitchen. Pretty soon it starts to set in that, “Oh my god. I am so thankful. I mean really thankful. I am thinking about that family today, who is having to spend their first Thanksgiving, without their Ronan. I have all of my kids. They are healthy. I want to be a good person. Not just a good person, but a REALLY good person. Because I am thankful. And blessed. And because so many people, are not. But deserve to be. So I am going to work really hard, to try to make a difference somehow, in this world.” Or maybe not. Maybe you would just sit around Thanksgiving, obsessing about everything you are going to buy on Black Friday. Obsessing about the Jimmy Choos that are going to go on Sale at Saks. This is probably the case. So in that case; fuck off. But I really hope your contractors are not late, AGAIN! I mean really, they were an hour late and you screamed and yelled at them because that is so much of a real problem? Those paid employees can be so rude sometimes. I don’t know who they think they are. The sense of entitlement of those blue-collar workers, is just beyond me. Shut up lady. Shut up and fuck off.

Oh Ro. Sorry your little post got Hijacked tonight. I just had to get that off of my chest. UGH! I have ONE more thing to say. Hang tight, little man. DEAR PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE ALL OF THIER CHILDREN- Please STOP. I do not want to hear anymore, “Oh… Ronan is happy. He is in Heaven. God is taking care of him, you don’t need to worry.” I’m warning you NOW. If I have to hear this one more time, it is not going to be pretty. I get that most of you mean well, but you also have all of your kids. You get to watch them play soccer, you get to hang up their art work, you get to kiss them goodnight and tuck them in bed. You get to do all of those amazing things, therefore you do not have the right, to tell me my child is in a better place. Because I can tell you, I can fucking guarantee he is not. He is not here, with me, which is the only place he belongs. So please, keep your he is with GOD and in a better place comments to yourself. It may bring you peace, but it only makes me angry. Pray for me all you want. Bring on the prayers. But stop saying the things above. I’m going to start carrying a weapon with me, like Silly String. The next person that says this to me, is going to be douched in Silly String. You’ve been warned.

On to the amazingness, RO! Moving forward. Breathing. Inhaling the smell from your GiGi that is covering my face. It smells like you. Let’s start with the darling Taylor Swift. That’s a good story to end with. Or how about the “Fan Mail,” that I am getting sent to Katie’s Shop, like the Foster the People signed concert poster. Ummm… Hello lovie who sent me that. So rad. Thank you. Or all of my Ro Baby Maya’s Mafia Fans whom I met today, by chance, who just popped into Katie’s store to buy bracelets. So sweet. I loved meeting a few of you today. The love you have for us is so inspiring. The awaking I am seeing in these beautiful people, Ronan, is very moving and powerful. Just like you.

Crap… sidetracked! I just have too many great things to blab about! Back to T’ Swizzle. Who told her about you? Because I am so very sure, it was one of your little Fairy God Mothers down here. I was contacted by her event manager. “Taylor would like to extend two tickets to her show, plus a meet and greet with her, before hand. Are you available?” Was I available? Why yes, of course. I knew with all the amazingness going on, that I wanted to see if I could work my magic just a little. I have no shame, so I asked for 5 tickets instead. Poof! My wish was granted. Now, I just had to come up with a plan to reward some very special people in a very special way. I told Katie about the email. I knew the two of us, would come up with something very yummy and delicious to do. We thought about having people bid for the tickets, to raise more money for your foundation. We knew the tickets, could have gotten a lot of moolah. But that seemed to be defeating the purpose. We have been watching how hard, our little Rockstars have been working, to raise their 200 dollars to model in the show. Then Katie showed me this FB Wall post written by Elizabeth’s mom, the little girl with Stage IV Cancer.

Oh my SWEETNESS! Holy Willy Wonka! Today was the absolute BEST!!! Today we ran, walked, skipped, piggy backed, wheeled and twirled a 5K to fight Childhood Cancer at Grand Canyon University “Pinkalicious Style!” What does “Pinkalicious Style” look like you ask? Well, let me tell you we had everything from argyle to piggy tails, rainbow to more rainbow and lipstick! You can’t forget the lipstick. And oh my, the most AMAZING, “Beauty comes from within the heart” t-shirts designed by our multi-talented long time very special friend Chris Wahl!! He designed the most perfect shirt for my most perfect little girl. E’s Team consisted of not only the most incredible besties that a girl could ask for but also her past preschool teachers, babysitters, and new friendly faces of the kindest individuals who truly give the meaning to our team shirts. Beauty comes from within the heart. Team Elizabeth showed genuine beauty today. Each and everyone of us crossed that finish line in true pinkalicious style whether it was by wagon or walking, running or riding, age 5 or age 50. Medals were made and miles were gained all in the fight against childhood cancer. And well, Lymphoma, it can kiss our determined pinkalicious butts! Because we rocked it out there today! But, that’s not all. The kids also rocked it in our front yard today. They ROCKED it GOOD! As promised, Elizabeth, Kate and Bryce were fundraising full force with their Super Duper Candy Scoop Shop featuring a Rainbow of candies and Rainbow Manicures. Although, there was no rain, they each had a pocket full of sunshine and were ready to make things happen with a rainbow of colors in Pop Rocks, Gumballs, Lemonheads, cherry rainbow and pink lemonade Swizzle Sticks, gigantic Jaw Breakers, Gummy Bears, rainbow heart cookies, and rainbow manicures. Have I mentioned Elizabeth LOVES rainbow anything? The proceeds of todays fundraising efforts will benefit The Ronan Thompson Foundation. The Ronan Thompson Foundation and The Garage Boutique for Kids are hosting a Rock the Runway Fashion Show Event. My 3 kiddos are all participating. Although they may not all model, they all 3 are certain they want to help raise money to help in the fight against Pediatric Cancer. These kiddos made BIG BIG accomplishments today! I would say a top accomplishment for each of them to date. Their goal for today was to raise $200.00 each for a total of $600.00. Are you ready for this? Are you ready to hear what my kiddos raised in our front yard to fight Pediatric Cancer? $1019.64!! In three hours, these determined children fought for their sister, they fought for their cousin, they fought for their friends, they fought for your family, they fought for our family, they fought for Ronan and all the other children who have won or lost their battles to childhood cancer. They fought hard and they fought proud! My husband and I are so completely impressed with how busy these little bees worked today. But we are not surprised at the results! You, our community, our family of friends are more than generous. We had a complete stranger drive up and give $100.00! Oh my SWEETNESS! We have a toothache tonight from all the sweetness. We are blessed, thankful, and just so happy for all the kindness, love and of course beauty that comes from within all of your hearts. So whoop there it is! $1019.64 going to The Ronan Thompson Foundation. You are beautiful, The Blair’s P.S. Elizabeth went back to school on Wednesday!!

It was a no brainer. We wanted to extend the invitation to The Blair Family, to go with us. I had Katie call them today. She said it there were tears all around. My heart fluttered. I had not met The Blair Family, until today. Until after this phone call was made. About an hour later, they came bouncing into Katie’s shop. I hugged Elizabeth’s mama tight and we both cried a little. I rubbed the top of Elizabeth’s smooth, bald head. It made me miss you so much. Turns out, The Blairs, LOVE Taylor. They already had tickets. They gave their tickets to some friends and Elizabeth’s brother and Daddy get to go as well. We are so exited to take Elizabeth, her mama, and older sister, with us- to meet Taylor and to sit in some really good seats. It is going to be an amazing night. That Taylor, has a heart of gold. Just like so many of the lovelies that seem to be coming out left and right, Ro. They all love you so much. Amazing things are happening, my little man. All because of you.

Ro baby. I wish I could tuck you in but I can’t. So I will cuddle with your blanket instead. I will go to sleep, without my Ambien because the pain is something I need to be in. I cannot mask or cover it up. I will fall asleep with my tears soaking my pillow because it is where I need to be, now. I love you so much. I miss you so much. I hope you are safe. Sweet dreams, baby doll.

xoxo