My Jessie Journal:: Hi Sweet Pea…it’s daddy! It’s early and I can’t sleep. So I’m writing to you, which I love to do. I imagine in my soul that you get these in your Heavenly home and they keep us connected. It maybe just my daddy’s heart not wanting to face reality but I LOVE writing to you. So will write as long as there is air in my lungs. Actually if there is not air that mean’s I’m with you…can’t wait for that day!
There is a picture in my phone of you and mommy together moments before you took your last breathe. It’s the most precious picture of “love” I have ever seen. A mommy simply caring for her child during the worst moment ever. I will never share this picture but it reminds me of the brutal reality of childhood cancer. A reality a family faces every day. So instead of a gut-wrenching picture, I decided to post this one. Look at us…young, health and happy!!!!
Today is September 1st so that means the start of National Childhood Cancer Awareness month. We are doing everything we can to join forces with all of the other amazing groups to let the world know Childhood Cancer sucks and every kid deserves to be encouraged to Never Ever Give Up! Our challenge to people is to Go Gold! We came up with six great ways they can Go Gold. Be fun to see people join in the campaign.
Yesterday, I did this great radio interview around Childhood Cancer with this wonderful host. She was so moved by your story she was crying as I was talking. Your selfless acts of love touched her heart Jess. It was so amazing to witness the impact your life makes on a persons life.
I also got to hangout with this amazing team at Cox Communications. They sponsored and stuffed 500 of your JoyJars to help kids smile. JoyJars are the most amazing creation…all because of YOU!!!! They not only help cure bad days but they are such a great way to help people and corporations feel they are contributing to your success.
The sad news this week was St. Baldrick’s announced their research now shows 300,000 kids are told they have cancer worldwide each year. Dang! There is so much joy to spread and so many bad days to cure. Time to spread more joy!!!
The worst news of the week was when I was getting gas yesterday. As I have shared with you, Toyota graciously donated a wonderful NEGU branded truck to help us deliver JOY. While I as filling up with gas, this man came up to me and said… “Is this how you spend people’s donations?” I tried my best to explain it was a gift from Toyota but he wasn’t the happiest guy. It bummed me out that someone would so quickly judge me, you and us. Then I thought about my counselor telling me about “Joy Robbers”…the people that suck joy out of your life and how we all had a choice to let them or stop them. So I quickly tried to mentally stop them.
Jess, I love you so much and miss you tons. I want you to know I will do anything and everything to protect your name and legacy. As you know, I’m not perfect but I’m trying my best to help parents feel hope, kids feel joy and families feel love.
Dang…tears…got to go…I love you!
xoxo,
daddy
