Gratitude

My birthday was Friday, October 29th.  I planned the day off to pamper myself, I attended the kindy Pumpkin Palooza and then stopped at home before getting the boys and heading out to see my friend A for dinner. 

 

When I was home inbetween errands, I received an e-mail stating that some friends got me a birthday gift, but it wasn't delivered, and to check the attached e-mail address to see the present.

 

I was puzzled at first, reading loving wishes and then seeing all of these confirmations of donations.  To the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. And then I started to cry. So hard I couldn't see straight. And it was the ugly cry, people.

 

I haven't really found the right words, other than to say I'm humbled. And Thank You. 

 

I've chosen to write about my friend A and her breast cancer, not to seek money or recognition, but because I don't know what else to do.

 

I can't cure her.

 

I'm not sick.

 

But I can write and share my feelings.

 

Your support has been unbelievable.  I won't name everyone who donated (you know who you are, and collectively sent almost $900 to the foundation), but I also wanted to thank those of you who have given constant encouragement.  The e-mails and texts to check in on how things are going.  Asking not only about A, but also about me. Honest to goodness support that I never would have imagined.

 

When I saw A for dinner that night, I showed her the donation confirmations.  She was overwhelmed with gratitude.  She said "I'm uncomfortably overwhelmed, but in a 'good' uncomfortable way."   Especially at this sentiment from one of the birthday organizers:  "I know the best present we can give you right now is to honor A and help save other best friend's out there from the same fate."  Yah. Like I said, Ugly Cry.

 

The attached picture is of a little ceramic sign A gave me for my birthday.  It says "Good friends are like stars – the darker the night the brighter they shine." 

 

I'm trying to be her star.

 

And you all are mine.