Day Twenty of...98 Days

Something didn't seem right today, it wasn't the snowy weather, it wasn't that I wasn't feeling well it was that something or someone was missing. I looked at the calendar and then I remembered ahh yes my Dad's Birthday. I lost my Dad I guess it's been over 5 1/2 years ago and I have been thinking about him a lot lately. We weren't very close which was a shame but I knew he loved me in his own way and I guess I am thinking about him more as my daughter's wedding approaches and realizing he won't be there. He was 75 and died of colon cancer another devastating disease.

As I thought about how sad I was that he was no longer with us on his Birthday I remember what a full life he lived. He had six children who adored him and a loving wife and wonderful friends. But you know I was okay because that is the natural order in life that the parents pass before the children and you seem to be able to accept that fate.

But what I can't accept and why we will do all we can during this campaign for it to be successful is the idea of losing a child. And Leukemia is what took our honoree Tressa from her parents. I have seen the faces and heard the heartfelt stories of so many other parents who faced the same horrible reality. They keep thinking this can't be happening and I can only imagine how it changes them and their life forever because their little child they loved so deeply is now only with them in spirit. Parents shouldn't lose children to these devastating blood cancers it's not natural it's not right and it needs to stop.

And the only way we can is through more research. And that is why the money raised during these campaigns can make the difference to fund research and find that cure so not another child will have a similar fate.

So Happy Birthday Dad! Thanks for teaching me the importance of giving back and working on such an important fund-raising campaign you always said everyone has the power to make a difference and that is what we are working towards today.