My Jessie Journal: Hi Sweet Pea, it’s daddy! I’m writing from Savannah, GA as Hurricane Florence arrives a little north from here. I have the honor of speaking to 1,000 oncology nurses today at the annual APHON conference. Guess who I’m talking about=)…yep, YOU and your NEGU strength and spirit. More specifically what to do when a catastrophic “stress storm” enters your life. I just know that someone here is in the middle of a stress storm and needs to find hope so they can thrive and be their best not just survive it. Pediatric oncology nurses have one of the highest rates of burnout due to the stress they experience so encouraging them to NEGU and get help is so important so they can be their best for the kids/families they support.
I still love this picture of us as we were in the middle of our catastrophic stress storm back in 2011. I comforted you and you comforted me…I will forever cherish the honor I had of giving you comfort when you were in the greatest pain of your life. I know mommy did the majority of the care as she was and still is the strongest person I know on this planet. We never wanted you to feel alone but always loved!!!
After I speak, I have 30 mins to get to the airport and head home before the storm hits here. I hope I don’t get stuck so I can be home for our NEGU Golf Classic on Monday. We have lots of wonderful people coming and our hope is to raise $250,000 so we can give $1,000 checks away to courageous families during our 25 Days of Love program in December. We randomly pick the families from our Year of Joy program. As you know, 2 years ago we were able help 25 families during 25 Days of Love. Last year, 75 families. Now we decided to “go big for the kids” and see if we can help 250 families during the holidays so they can have a little financial help during their “stress storm”.
Speaking of families, have you seen the amazing pictures families are taking for the NEGU Challenge? I just love seeing their NEGU strength!!! We have also been honored to have so many compassionate people taking the NEGU Challenge so we can get the full $40,000 donation for our holiday JoyJars.
Jess, this is all because of YOU! I wouldn’t be in Savannah right now if it wasn’t for you. People wouldn’t be writing on their hands if it wasn’t for you. Kids wouldn’t be smiling with their JoyJars if it wasn’t for you. Families wouldn’t be getting some financial help this Christmas if it wasn’t for you. WOW…you have done so much for so many Sweet Pea…I’m so honored to be your daddy=)))
Well I need to practice my keynote speech so I can do my best today. You know this but…I MISS YOU AND WILL FOREVER LOVE YOU!!!
See you in a wink…PROMISE!
xoxo
daddy
