For all my Arizona peeps…

photo

These 2 “elfs” are requesting unwrapped gifts for The Ronan Thompson Foundation Candy Cart. If you visit Garage Boutique for Kids, Nove’, or High Point this holiday season, please bring in an unwrapped toy to receive 15% off your entire purchase.  These toys will be used for Ronan’s Candy Cart when we visit Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Thank you and happy shopping!!!

xx

 

 

 

ROCKSTARS unite for The Ronan Thompson Foundation!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Rock the Runway For Ronan

Garage Boutique’s Annual “Fashion for Philanthropy” Event

Benefiting The Ronan Thompson Foundation

October 17, 2011

Scottsdale, AZ.

Garage Boutique is a lively place, full of kids, designer duds and good shopping mojo. But Scottsdale’s premiere children’s boutique for infants and tweens isn’t just about clothes. Owner Katie Wilson believes in philanthropy, and her young customers do, too.

This year, local kids were invited to apply to model in The Garage Boutique’s Annual Fashion Show, which will benefit The Ronan Thompson Foundation. Maya Thompson, author of http://www.RockstarRonan.com, lost her 3-year-old son, Ronan, to neuroblastoma, a form of childhood cancer, in May 2011. Maya’s blog has captured the attention of millions of people around the world. The Ronan Thompson Foundation vows to change the fact that pediatric cancer is the least funded when it comes to cancer research.

Wilson said, “Garage isn’t just about style, fashion, & the cool sweet factor, but also about making an impact. My mission is to educate, inspire and empower kids to make a difference in their school, and community through volunteer work and community service. The 75 ‘Rockstars’ in The Rock the Runway for Ronan Fashion Show all committed to raising a minimum of $200 each for the Ronan Thompson Foundation.”

Maya had three main goals in mind when she started up Ronan’s Foundation. To support in research for Childhood Cancer, to help a local family once a year that has been affected by Childhood Cancer, and to help local charities such as The Ryan House and MISS Foundation. The Ryan House is a non-profit in Phoenix and helps care for families dealing with life threatening illnesses. It is where Ronan spent the last week of his life and it is where he passed away. The MISS Foundation is a non-profit and was started up by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore. They are committed to helping families in dealing with the loss of child, from any cause.

The Fashion Show is November 10, 2011 at Casa Blanca Lounge (7134 E. Stetson) in Scottsdale. Doors open at 6pm and the Fashion Show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $25, and available at: http://www.RunwayforRonan.eventbrite.com. Limited tickets are available. For more information, visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/garageboutique.

 

Thank you to all our ROCKSTAR friends and family for your generosity and support! Please remember that occupancy is limited in our venue, so if you plan on attending it is important that you purchase your tickets in the next 24 hours. Don’t miss your chance to take part in this year’s most rocking event! 

The Magic Purple Leg Warmers

Ronan. Survived. Again. I think. I feel sick. Sick to my stomach. Rough day. Rough night. Nothing new. For your 5 months today, I put on my purple wig and went down to Garage Boutique for Kids today to meet up with Katie so we could draw the names for our Rock the Runway for Ronan Fashion Show.

I met up a lot with Katie, last week, to take a look at the kids’ applications and how they answered their questions. We asked them things like::::

1) If you had an alter ego Rockstar name, what would it be?

2) Tell us 3 ways you will raise money to benefit Childhood Cancer.

3) If you could have dinner with any Rockstar, who would it be??

I sat with Katie and we read over them all. I read about the little girl who cut off her hair and gave it to her cousin, who has cancer. Katie told me how the little girl, Elizabeth, who is 5 and has just been diagnosed with cancer, sat at her bar and filled out her application. I cried after reading and hearing these things. I looked up at Katie. She knew what I was going to say. How could we possibly not have all the kids, who took the time to come down to Katie’s store, in the show? What if the little girl that had her Daddy drive her from Tuscon after school, didn’t get picked?? The thought of any of these kiddos, getting left out, broke our hearts. We decided, that we would let all the kids in the show. Who cares if it is over the number of kids we had agreed on. Rules were meant to be broken, right? We decided a few days ago, we would break these rules.

We brainstormed during the week on the way we would announce the news. We didn’t come up with anything genius, except we knew we would have to be wearing purple. I called Liz and asked if she would help, since she has such a flair for the dramatics and is used to being in front of a camera. She was so happy to help. We didn’t have a script. We sent up my computer and pretty much winged the entire, ridiculous thing. I talked Liz into talking in our very bad, British accents… mostly because I knew if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to hold it together. Katie didn’t do one which is probably one of the reasons she pretty much lost it, at the end. Beautiful, Bad British accent saved my day. I wouldn’t have been able to do the silly video, without mine. I missed Macy. She would have been a riot to have in the video. It turned out cute, raw, silly, and ridiculous. Sometimes, it’s best not to have a script in life .

I couldn’t get across the screen, how thankful I am. How honored I am, that so many people are coming together for this for Ronan’s Foundation.  I wanted to say so many things about how you, Ronan, would be so happy to know that something like this was being put on, because of you. Because every kid, deserves to be a kid. Because the kids that get sick with cancer, deserve better. Better treatments, answers, outcomes, and CURES. Everything serious that I wanted to say, could not be said because I cannot say any of this, without ending up bawling and in tears. So, I guess I’ll say it now. On the platform that I am able to say it best on, behind the scenes, so you all don’t have to witness my tears. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Ronan, for being my sun, my moon, my stars. Thank you for teaching me so much in such a short amount of time. Thank you to all of wonderful friends and family. Thank you to Miss Katie for having such a vision, my same vision, for this event. Thank you to all the parents who have continued to read about Ronan. Who want to fight for Ronan. Who are taking my pain, and turning into something beautiful. Who are not afraid, to continue on with me, and who are not afraid to educate their own kids about something so scary like Childhood Cancer. I am aware of how gut wrenchingly painful, this story is. I know that when you see me, hear Ronan’s story, that it is your  worst nightmare, come true. It takes people with true passion, heart, and soul, to continue on the with me. I know how easy it would be to just walk away and go back to your lives, before all of this. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for not doing this. I think you all are so very brave and inspiring as well.

To all my busy little bees helping, doing, “getting shit done.” You are all the most amazing women on the PLANET! You could rule the world and I am so thankful, to have you to work with. I know this event is going to be everything Ronan would have loved. Thank you.

To all my readers/ out of state people who wish they could be at this event, but cannot, I am sorry. We are going to put together something very special, so you all have a way to be involved. I want you there, in some way shape or form, if you cannot be there physically. I’m working on this and will let you know when this idea is a little more ready to go<3 Thank you for continuing to read, love and support. It means the world to me.

Alright Ro. It is Monday a.m. and I have a lot to do today. I made it through the 9th. Your 5 months of not being here. Not without doing something a little insane though. I left for a run, last night around 7 p.m. You should have seen the radness of my outfit for you. Purple shoes, purple shorts, and the icing on the cake…. purple leg warmers. Yup. You heard me right. The most awesome purple leg warmers that I have ever seen in my life. My friend, Mandy wears them to work out in. She bought some for me and dropped them by our house yesterday. So sweet of her. I headed out for my run. It was dark, of course. The best time to meet Inferno Fuckwad Bob sometimes. I started running. I was so not feeling it at first but I continued on. I ran through a bunch of sprinklers. I got a major cramp at mile 4. I tried to stop but the voice inside of my head said to me, “What’s worse. Then pain of this or the pain of losing Ronan?” I said, without hesitation, it was the pain of losing you. I kept running my 8 minute pace. I ran over a freeway over pass. I stopped to take a picture of the moving cars. Where the hell am I??? I thought to myself. Who cares. Keep running. I finally stopped when the pain from the chafing burns under my arms started to feel like they were on fire. I looked at my GPS on my phone. 8.2 miles. Ummm…. what? 8.2 miles away from home. That can’t be….. how did I get that far away from my house?? Crap. I called Woody. He didn’t answer. I walked for a bit and found a church parking lot where I cooled down and stretched. I called Woody again. No answer. What street am I even on? I sat and stretched some more. Finally, Quinn answered. “Can you put your Dad on the phone please… thanks baby.” “Can you come and get me please. I’m on Central and Missouri, in a church parking lot, thanks, see you soon.”

20 minutes later I was rescued. My body was becoming cold but amazingly I was not tired or sore. I actually felt like I could have turned back around and ran home. It must have been those purple magic leg warmers. How have I ever lived without those? Thanks Mandybee:) I’m going to wear them every time I feel like I need a little extra help on my runs. Or actually I may wear them on every run because they are that awesome:)

I gotta go, Ro baby. Your brothers are home for the week. Fall break. I know if you were here, we would be off doing something fun as a family. I’m sure we would be in Washington visiting Nana and Papa. I’ll be lucky to survive this week, without you. I love you. I miss you. I hope you are safe.

xoxo

Calling all Rockstars!

Model submissions will begin Monday, October 3rd, at 10 a.m. and end on Friday, October 7th at 7 p.m. Applications must be filled out by the child at the Garage Boutique for Kids and “Rockstars,” must be an Arizona resident. We would like the kiddos, who want the chance to be participate, to be old enough to sit down and fill out the application (it’s o.k. if they need a little help;). The model lineup will be announced Sunday, October 9th, via the Garage Boutique Facebook Page through a live, random drawing. Each model selected will be required to raise a minimum of $200.00 dollars to help in the fight against Pediatric Cancer.

Please save the date of November 10th, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. for this Rockstar Event. Tickets will be available to purchase for $25.00 dollars, per person, after our models are selected. Your ticket purchase will get you into the event, to watch the Fashion Show, and enjoy all of the other surprises we are putting together. We are working very hard to make this night a very fun filled family affair, for all ages.  All inquiries regarding this event should be submitted via email to rockstar@garageboutique.com

Additional details to follow soon. We are can’t wait to see you all for a night full of all things Rockstar!!!

xoxo

Because golfing in a TuTu is sometimes necessary

Ronan. Hi baby. I missed you today so much that at times I felt that I couldn’t breathe. I woke up early for not having slept well the night before, but I was ready to start the day anyway. I was tired, but my mind refused to be still. I got up, showered, dressed, and ran out the door. I got a few errands done, ran into the grocery store and came home to make breakfast for your brothers and cousins. We all sat around the table and ate, laughed and talked. It was hard for me to sit there without you, but I did it because it was important to your brothers. It didn’t feel good. Does that make me a bad mama? I don’t know. It would seem like simple things like this would make me happy. They should, right?? Maybe someday, but not now. Your brothers ate huge breakfast which was important as they had their first basketball game at The Village to play. I fed them, they got ready and we all headed out the door. I had to walk through those doors without you today and it was gut wrenching. You used to love to go watch your brothers basketball games. You were their little mascot. I tried to stay focused on watching your brothers, but I was so distracted by you not being there. And there were sooooo many kids everywhere. I could not stop the screaming from inside my head as to why you were not with us. Why did you have to die from Cancer? All of these healthy kids, were running about. I just kept thinking, they have NO idea how lucky they are. I kept wondering if their parents did? If their parents knew how lucky they were to have healthy, happy, carefree, kids. Or is it something that was more of a right, not a privilege to them? I don’t know, but I really I do know. I know how lucky parents are who have healthy kids. How a day should never pass without being grateful for this gift. I know this because of the sickness you fought, for the life we lived in the hospital, and for your death. Your death that is now teaching thousands of people how precious life really is. It seems so unfair that you had to be the one to teach us all this lesson. Why couldn’t it have been me? I would have gladly died in your place. I wish this everyday.

Ro baby. I think I started this a few days ago. Everything is blurry again. The days continue to drag on and on. We’ve kept busy. Your brothers amaze me everyday. You always hear how kids are so resilient, but now I am witnessing it first hand. Both of your brothers are thriving in school. Doing so well and they are such good boys. They are coming home with good grades, both are getting praises from their teachers, and they seem happy. I am glad they won’t know the pain of losing you in the way that I do. I would never want them to feel even a quarter of the way that I do. I am trying really hard to balance their therapy, while making sure they feel somewhat normal. This means play dates, sleep overs, the same chores, responsibilities, and getting them back into a routine of structure and love. I know they hurt, I know they miss you, I know they are sad and confused…. but it is not consuming them. They were really well-adjusted boys before all of this, and I know that is a big part of why they actually seem like they are going to be o.k. It is all I can hope for at this point. I don’t want their lives to be ruined over losing you. I want them to learn from this and understand how precious life really is. They get it. They got it before all of this which seems so unfair. FUCK. I hate trying to justify any of this, because they were already going to turn out to be amazing men anyway. So what. Now they get to become better boys because you died? It’s not right, Ro. I sometimes have to try to rationalize this in any way I can, just to keep me moving forward. The truth is, they should not have to be learning this lesson. There is no rationalizing this because it is just fucked up. Plain and simple.

This weekend was busy. I don’t know what we filled it with, but it was filled. Basketball game, Football on T.V., Inferno Hiking, things around the house. I went golfing on Saturday night. Glow in the dark golfing on a lit up course. If there is one thing I’ve always known about life, it’s that people take it way too seriously. And when you become a “grown up,” it is easy to get lost in the shuffle of responsibilities. I’ve always had a pretty good idea about how to balance both things… silliness and seriousness. I’m a big kid at heart, which is probably why I relate so well to babies/toddlers/children/ and teen-agers. I like fun. I used to be so fun. I used to love to live, which is why Saturday night was so necessary. I saw something in Phoenix Magazine about a glow in the dark golf tournament that was being held. Um… yes please! I called to register, but all the slots were full. I got a call Saturday morning, telling me that two spots had opened up and the man asked if I wanted them. I said, of course. I called up Liz to see if she wanted to go with me as I have been missing her since our summer in Coronado ended. We both have been so busy, so it seemed like the perfect excuse to spend some time with her. Liz does not golf, but she was game anyway. She told me her friend, Heather, wanted to come as well. I met Heather over the summer and she is a doll. I told her to bring her. I told Liz to be prepared as I had somehow gotten it into my head that it was necessary to go glow in the dark golfing, in a TuTu. Why the heck not? My lovely, Katie, just happens to carry TuTu’s at her store. She took a pink and a purple one, off her mannequins for me. I came home, threw on the purple one, for you of course, a black shirt and black flats. Liz about died when I opened the door and I think she may have called me a dork. I told her that she was wearing one too, so she needed to be quiet. Golfing in a TuTu. I cannot believe somebody hasn’t thought of this before. It should be mandatory. It was so much fun and made our golfing night, even better. I did this for you. And for me. Because my life is so sad now, but being in a TuTu for a few hours while whacking a golf ball on a dark glow in the dark course, made me smile and think of you and how much you would have loved being with me. I totally want to put together a golf tournament for you with this idea. All the ladies in TuTu’s just for you. I’ll make the men all wear fake mustaches or something silly like that. The lesson being, life can be hard and for some, harder than others……. but you should always remember how to have fun, even if it is in the form of acting like an 8-year-old child. Adults often forget how to do this as the age thing seems to cripple them. Age is just a number, nothing more. I promise to always try to channel my inner child for you by doing silly things like golfing in a TuTu. It makes me a better mama. And the fact that you had your childhood stolen from you makes me want to channel my inner child that much more. To make up for the life that you never fully got to live. I’m sorry, Ro.

I spent today, keeping busy. I actually got my booty up out of bed at 5 a.m. and went to boot camp. I had lunch with Tammy yesterday and told her if I got some decent sleep, that I would come to her class this morning. I got a good 5 hours in, which I seem to do just fine on. I went to her class and I am so glad I did. I miss it so much. I’m paying the price already though as I am so sore, I can hardly walk.

I’m having a really hard time being home during the day, alone. It is so quiet without you. Too quiet. I have been going to public places when I have emails to get through, bills to open, checks to write, etc….. Today, I went to my Safeway and sat in the Starbucks with my headphones blaring music, while I pounded out email after email. I had two really sweet women come up who recognized me to say Hello and how sorry they were. I cried talking to them both. I couldn’t help it as I was an emotional mess pretty much the entire day. I was glad they said hello as it is always nice to know how many people are thinking about you. I finished up my things and headed off to get a few more things done. Lots of “shit list,” things checked off today. Yay me.

I spent a lot of the day, doing things for others today. Things that should feel really good to me, but they don’t. As I was walking out of Staples, and to my car, I felt like the world was going to swallow me whole. I started bawling. Choking on my tears and feeling like I was surly going to suffocate to death. I was engulfed in a world of loneliness, sadness, pain, and just plain missing my little partner in crime. I somehow made it to my car, but it took me a while to calm down. I drove home but cried the whole way there. Once I got home, I tried to be productive. I am always trying to avoid the silence. I talked to Fernanda and she let me vent/sob to her. I told her over and over that I could not believe you are gone. I asked her why you because I will never understand. I told her how I had spent my day, doing all of these great things, like helping others which is what I know I am meant to do…. but it is never going to fill the huge hole in my heart. She said something like the pain will never go away, but I will learn to live with it. I told her what a shitty way to live. Because it is. To live in constant agony and pain; and knowing that I will never feel better, but this is my new normal. FUCK YOU WORLD. I hate this life. I hate this life without you and I just want you back. But you are not coming back so I am just supposed to continue on, fighting for any ounce of happiness that comes my way once in a blue moon? I want to help others, and I hope someday I can feel something from it. But as of now, it just feels like a fire that lives inside of me. It burns all day long and I feel like it is coming from you. You are the one pushing me forward, to make a difference. You are the one, pushing me to do as many things as I can to help where I am needed, to continue on to fight for all of the kids who are affected by cancer. There are so many out there, Ro. So many sweet babies who are going through this. I had no idea….. I feel like such a fool. My happiness was so simple before and I really did know how lucky we were. I thanked God for my life everyday. I was not ungrateful, mean, or a bad person. I was a good person before all of this but now I have to become better??? I know I do. I know I do for you. As much as I hate all of this pain, I know I still have you to answer to, Ro. You want things in this world to change. I have to be the one to help change them for you, because I want you to be proud of me. I promise to make you proud of me.

I’ve got to go now little one. It’s been a hard day. An awful day of feeling like I am buried alive and drowning all at the same time. I miss you. I love you to the moon and back and hope you are safe. G’nite my little “not spicy,” monkey boy. Sweet dreams, Ro.

xoxo

P.S. This makes me sick to my stomach. Did you know that pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer in the US? Pediatric cancer kills more kids then AIDS, Asthma, Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy COMBINED and the really sad part of this is that no one knows this. Doctor’s do not educate parents about this. And to top it off, pediatric cancer research gets the least financial funding. Please help spread this info and save our babies!!!

I am starting a new trend. I think every girl should golf in a mother fucking TuTu. It rules. Go see Katie@Garage. She has the BEST ones.

Katie@Garage……

Has these in! Stop by, FB, or call her. She’ll ship for FREE!

Click on her FB page and you can order them that way……https://www.facebook.com/katie.garage   Be sure to *LIKE* her page as well.

Email her….katie@garageboutique.com

Call her store….. 480.556.6900

Or stop on by….. 7144 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

THANK YOU LOVELIES!!! THANK YOU, SWEET KATIE!!!!!

4 Months feels like 4 Years. Thanks, Cancer. You’re AWESOME.

Ro. I can write tonight. I need to write tonight. It’s been a couple of days I think. I don’t know that I’ll be able to sleep tonight. It’s creeping up. The 9th of every month date. 3:30 a.m. will be here soon. I’ve been dreading it all week. Consumed by it. 4 months is almost here. What was I doing at this time, 4 months ago? Laying with you, while Fernanda sat and watched you so we could get some sleep together. I was cuddled up beside you, which was always my favorite place to be. I’ll bet you Fernanda was rubbing you, trying to sing, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” but she didn’t know the words, so she had to Google them on her phone. I love that story. She watched you because she knew that I needed the rest and I wouldn’t sleep if someone wasn’t keeping their eye on you.  She knew when it was her time to go and I think she left around 2:30 a.m. She kissed us goodbye and left the two of us in the room, alone together. She knew that it was time for you to go. She knew that we needed to be alone. She knows so much. I remember watching you. Your little breaths got so shallow. I remember The Ryan House nurse standing over us and how fast my heart was beating. I looked up at her and asked if you were gone. She told me not yet, but it was going to be soon. I remember thinking how unfair it was that my heart was rapidly beating, yet yours was getting ready to stop. I kissed you all over. I told you I loved you and whispered to you, “Come on baby. Come with me. Let’s get out of this place.” I asked her to go and get your Daddy. You waited for him to come in and kiss you goodbye. Then your little heart just stopped. Just like that. I go over this night in my head, at least 10 times a day. I pray that you know how much I love you, I pray that you were not scared as I worry about that so much. I still can’t believe you are gone and that I am still here, living this life, without you.
I had a mini freak out today. Panic took over after I dropped your brothers off at school. I knew I could not go home to an empty house. I went to Starbucks and sat with my computer and went through emails and paid bills. I emailed somebody at www.spirithoods.com and told them about you and asked them if they had ever thought about donating their amazing “hoods,” to kids with Cancer. I told them how much you loved yours and how many cancer kids would comment on it, but probably couldn’t afford to buy one. I asked them to consider donating some. I actually got a response pretty quickly and I was very impressed. I’m working on them and I have a feeling they won’t let me down. Could you imagine how many smiles their Spirit Hoods would bring to the faces of kids everywhere. Hospitals are notorious for being cold. Remember how much we loved wearing ours together. You looked so cute in yours. I could have gobbled you up and am sure I tried. I miss your little face so much.

One of our favorites met me for a bit today. I was a wreck, but tried my best to remain calm. I don’t think I put on a very good show. It’s fine. I have never been one to pretend with our lovie. No reason to. I talked about how this date is hard for me every month. I tried not to cry and just listened to the words that came my way. I tried to keep an open mind and to not be angry at the fact that you are not here. Our lovie sat and told me that you are not really gone, that you are everywhere. That you will never be gone. I know this deep down, but it does not take away the pain of your physical self not being here. It does not take away the pain of not being able to hear your squeaky voice or look at your beautiful face. Our lovie asked for a smile. I refused as my smile seemed nowhere to be found today. I’ll bet you I went the whole freaking day without smiling. And I always smile for our lovie. That’s how you know it was a really, really, bad day. I know you know. I know it’s on my really bad days, that you find some way to make me feel a little happy. I found that today when I went to visit my new friend, Katie, at her boutique. Her kind heart and kick ass music playlist made me feel good. I joked with her that she must secretly have access to my iPod because I swear she always has my favorite songs playing while I am in her store. Tom Petty’s “Last Dance with Mary Jane,” was on when I was telling her that. Oh, Tom Petty…. how I love thee. And Miss Katy…. this new gorgeous girl you have put in my life, Ro. Thank you. I can tell she is going to be a big part of this new, strange, life without you. Another one of your little gifts. Thanks baby.

The rest of the day was spent in therapy. Therapy with your Daddy and than I went off to therapy alone with Sarah. I felt like my head was spinning most of the day. Than I decided that it should feel that way, as I have many hats that I am wearing right now. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing; but it is where I’m at. You want to hear all of the hats I’m wearing? I’ll tell you.

The Maya Hat- Trying to take care of me. Whatever that means.

The Ronan Hat- Trying to connect and still trying to take care of you. It’s all I want to do.

The Mama Hat- Trying to be a good Mama to your brothers. I’m naturally a good mom, so this is not hard. But it still takes a lot more effort than it used to.

The Wife Hat- Trying to be a wife to your Daddy. Failing.

The Therapy Hat- Sarah, Dr. Rachel, Dr. Joanne, and Dr. Beth with Liam and Quinn. FUCK. That is a lot of therapy, but so necessary.

The Friend Hat- Trying. Failing. I miss my friends.

The Foundation Hat- My busy work. Trying to get everything figured out. I like this hat. It gives me HOPE that I am keeping  you alive; even though you are gone.

The Not Slitting my Wrists Hat- Want to. Everyday. Everyday I survive without doing this is a fucking miracle.

The Grieving Hat- I’m doing this. In my way, alone. Or in the presence of therapists. I’m working hard to do this. I don’t want to stuff away any pain because it will all come back to haunt me later if I do.

So baby. What do you think about all of that? That’s A LOT of stuff. Remember back in the day, when all we had to worry about was naps and grocery shopping? That life does not even seem real anymore. I feel like I’ve been living this life now, forever. What a stupid, spoiled brat I was. I’ve got a lot of making up to do for being such an ignorant human being. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me. It’s fine, baby. I’m not scared. I know you are going to help me, therefore, I can do anything. Fuck You, Cancer. Right, Ro?

My new friend, Heather, also stopped by for a visit. She is the Queen of random, surprise drive-by’s. I just happened to be home and was so glad to see her face. We sat in the kitchen today and talked for awhile. She is another one of those peeps with such an amazing heart. She always seems to appear when I need  a bit of cheering up. When I need a little kick in the ass to remind me of how strong I am. She told me that she tells someone, at least once a day, that I am going to do for Childhood Cancer, what Lance Armstrong has done for Cancer in general. WOW. What a compliment. Talk about picking a girl up, when she is down. I took a minute to think about what she told me. I started to get overwhelmed, but a calmness washed over me. I think she is right. I think she is right because I have you to fight for and the strength you give me will help me change things, in a drastic way. Everything I used to be scared of, Ro…. no longer exists. I am here, on this earth, to change things for you. Because you know that you did not deserve to die, nor does any other child suffering from Cancer. Somebody has got to take this fucker down. Super Ro to the rescue!!!!! I know we can do this, little man. Heather, knows we can do this. She lit up like a little Christmas Tree when she was telling me this today. It was so stinking adorable. It was so beautiful. It was so you.

Oh, Ro. Nice song pick tonight as I was just getting to end this post. Seriously! That just got you the BIGGEST SMILE! I love you to the moon and back, baby. I hope you are safe. You are so right, this is absolutely not the end.

THE BRAVERY

Tell me
Come on tell me what you can
Even as you wait for death your wiser than I am
Tell me what does it mean to exist
I am not a scientist I must believe there’s more than this
And I can not accept
That everything that’s real
Is only what our eyes can see
And our hands can feel

[chorus]
Not even earth can hold us
Not even life controls us
Not even the ground can keep us down
The memories in my head
Are just as real as the time we spent
You’ll always be close to me
My friend
This is not the end

I see
I can see you’re still afraid
Weathered like the silver moon, on you even fear looks good
I wish, I wish I had some words to give
But all that I can think to say
Is I’ll be with you everyday

[chorus]
Not even earth can hold us
Not even life controls us
Not even the ground can keep us down
The memories in my head
I just realized the time we spent
You’ll always be close to me
My friend
This is not the end

La la la la la
This is not the end
La la la l al la
This is not the end

I don’t care
I don’t care what you believe
As long as you are in my heart
You’re just as real as me
Maybe
Maybe even more
Someone who’s touched so many lives
can never, ever die

[chorus]
Not even earth can hold us
Not even life controls us
Not even the ground can keep us down
The memories in my head
I just realized the time we spent
You always be close to me
My friend
This is not the end

For out of town peeps who want bracelets…… U.S. only please….

My new, sweet friend, Katie who owns Garage Boutique for Kids has generously offered to take orders for the Naughty and Nice versions of bracelets! I left her with a slew of them today and she has offered to take orders for me and ship them for FREE! How amazing is she!

We have worked this out so that if you want to buy bracelets, you can pay for them via Check in the mail or by Credit Card. We are asking a minimum donation of $5 per bracelet.

If you are paying via credit card, there will be a $1 Credit Card fee. If you are paying via Check, once Katie gets it, she will send the bracelets out to you.

Or you can stop in her adorable store to buy them as well!

Click on her FB page and you can order them that way……https://www.facebook.com/katie.garage   Be sure to *LIKE* her page as well.

Call her store….. 480.556.6900

Or stop on by….. 7144 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

Please specify if you would like the Naughty or Nice and how many you would like. Get them while they last! I have a feeling they won’t be around long!! Also, the Nice version runs a little smaller. So if you have kids, they are perfect for them.
Thank you for the love and support! Thank you for helping to spread the word on Ronan and Childhood Cancer.

A million kisses to my sweet Katie for her amazing heart of gold!!!!!

xoxo