MIRACLES AWAIT

Please join me as I help my friend, Catrina, in celebrating the lives of two young people from Mt. Pocono, PA...

Miracles Await is a fundraiser/benefit that is being held in Lauren & Zachary's honor. Both were students at Pocono Mountain East High School and both lost their lives back in March. The purpose of the benefit is two-fold -- to establish two separate scholarships in each teen's honor and to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs.

This cause is near & dear to my friend, Catrina's, heart. Catrina's family & Lauren's family are close...so close you could say that each was like a second family to the other. Catrina has fond memories of babysitting Lauren and she has told me so much about how talented Lauren was and how much she enjoyed art.

So, here is where I turn to you - because we are a tight-knit blogging community, ya know. Catrina is asking that we help {in any way that we can} by either giving a financial donation to Miracles Await or by donating items to be included in gift baskets that will be raffled at the benefit. Anything and everything is appreciated, so please click here for more details. It is a bit of a short notice - the benefit is on July 12th - but there is still plenty of time to help this noble cause.

Miracles truly DO await for those who believe...

MY WISH

Jade Goody's very public battle with cervical cancer and Natasha Richardson's tragic death have left me wondering...

Both women are/were mothers. Both women love(d) and cherish(ed) their families. Both women will leave/left behind a loving spouse. I think it's safe to say that Jade Goody has come to terms with her terminal illness and is doing everything and anything she can to preserve her memory for her two young boys. Natasha Richardson never really got the chance to do that for her sons.

Life is precious. It's taken away at a moment's notice. I think as a mother both women touch my heart in very different ways, but one thing is for certain - how would I want my children to remember me...what do I want for my children...what kind of legacy will I leave behind? I can't think about this without getting emotional. All of the "what if's" aren't something that I normally tend to think about, but here lately I just can't help but to.

So, this is my wish for my children:

• To be honest and capable individuals
• To have an open mind
• To love with no boundaries
• To have unwaivering faith
• To make a difference
• To never give up
• To be fair
• To know that they are loved
• To be a friend to all
• To be compassionate and empathetic
• To cherish each day as a gift
• To never forget that family is forever
• To dream big

It's not a complete list. I think the list is constantly evolving. As my children grow older, their needs and wants change and my needs and wants for them change, too. I certainly hope that my children will never have to face the same situation that Jade's boys are facing or that Natasha's boys are going through. But, should something happen (God forbid) I truly hope that my children realize that I will never be gone from them and that my memory will live forever in their hearts.

Happy birthday, Spencer!

In 2002, shortly after I moved back to the area, I met a girl who would turn out to be my best friend -- Angie. We "met" online at a "young moms" forum. We found out we both lived in Virginia Beach and that we actually worked up the street from one another. We agreed that we would get together and officially meet in person one day. That day happened just weeks after she lost her son, Spencer. His birthday is tomorrow, February 11th, and he would have been seven years old.

I truly feel that Spencer had a role in creating a bond in mine & Angie's friendship that has lasted over the years and despite living miles apart from one another. He is a guardian angel looking down on his family and his two brothers and I believe with my whole heart that he's looking out for my family as well (just months after we met, Angie and I found out that we were both pregnant with our sons, Jeston & Aidan). He's a special boy who was asked to live in eternal paradise with the Lord.

Tomorrow isn't going to be easy for Angie. February 11th has never been easy...it will never be easy. But, I know that her unwaivering faith in the Lord and the strength of her family will help pull her through.

http://ourangelspencer.memory-of.com/About.aspx

Angie -- I love you.

Happy birthday sweet boy!