Happy Birthday

Today my brother should be celebrating his 36th birthday beside his wife and daughter and instead, the hole that was left years ago still resides and we will celebrate without him yet again.  Cancer is nasty and it sucks.  Cancer didn't care that my brother wanted to be a dad and husband and give them the life our father never gave us.  I know birthdays in heaven have to be better than the birthdays we have here on earth but I still wish he was here to celebrate with.  One more hug, one more I love you and one more joke to get me through the day.  Then again, after that "one more", I am sure I would want more!  Happy Birthday Justin.  I doubt you are reading blogs in heaven but I just don't feel right not wishing you a happy birthday in some way.  I will celebrate you today, I will tell your nieces more stories and keep you here with us in spirit.  I love you!!!!

Talk About It

Today I am in a funk.  For some reason my mind keeps going to families who have to bury their young children.  No parent should ever have to bury their child.  I think it is the holidays coming up and thinking about the Stanton family who will not get to have their son Danny with them.  It just breaks my heart into a million pieces.  Let me say it again.....NO PARENT SHOULD EVER HAVE TO BURY THEIR CHILD!!!!!  No, there is not a cure for Epilepsy...yet.  I am hoping that sometime in the future there is one, but there is technology out there that can get the person who is seizing help during that seizure.  And the parents of Danny are making sure that each family who needs one, gets one (through their Danny Did Foundation).  And guess what?  We were one of those families.  Every night I get assurance when my sweet girl goes to bed.  I tuck her in and turn on her monitor.  I know that when I hear the alarm, that I need to get to her and be by her side.  Without her monitor, I would sleep right through her seizure and God only knows what could happen, and it can happen, just ask the Stanton's. 
I know that many people don't know what to get others for Christmas and a lot of people are looking for unique gifts and for gifts that make a difference in the world.  Danny Did did not ask me to say this but I feel so strongly about it and love this foundation so much.  So, this is my idea........donate.  Yes, it really is that easy.  Donate in someones name, donate in your name, donate in the name of a child who suffers or for their families.  In doing this, you will be giving the ultimate gift to those in need and potentially helping aid in saving lives.  And if you cannot donate, please take the time to get educated.  Would you know what to do if you saw someone having a seizure?  If the answer is no, you need to find out.  I didn't know what to do until we were in the hospital with our child wondering what on earth was going on.  That to me is too late to figure it out.  And please take the time to watch this video.  This is Mike Stanton, Danny's dad.  To be able to walk through grief and help others at the same time is amazing to me, they truly are heroes to me!!!

Henry's Story

Tonight is an important night for the Granju family.  Tonight their local station out in Tennessee will be airing the story of their son Henry who died earlier this year.  I have told a bit of his story here, but I would hope that you can take the time to watch his story tonight.  For all of the details, please go here and read his mom's blog.  Oh, and keep reading after that because she is an amazing writer!!!!

Acts Of Kindness For Henry

I have been following this blog for a little while now.  The woman who writes the blog is Katie Allison Granju.  She writes beautifully and has a wonderful sense of humor.  She has also been hit with the most tragic of events this year, the death of her 18 year old son Henry.  If you have a moment, take the time to read her blog, but today, go out and spread some kindness in remembrance of Henry.  Yes, he was a drug addict and yes, it did lead to him getting into a bad situation which would ultimately lead to his death, but he was also an 18 year old kid.  A kid who had gotten in too deep and couldn't find his way out.  He was also a son and a brother who is missed deeply.  despite his addiction, he was a wonderful young man and today he would have been 19.  So, to honor his memory, his family is asking that everyone go out and spread some kindness in the name of Henry Granju.  Nothing wrong with being nice right?  If you do, please join the facebook group Acts Of Kindness For Henry, and let the family know what you did int heir sons name.  They don't have him here to celebrate with and I know it would bring some sort of peace and happiness to know that the memory of their son still lives on.  And why stop today?  Being kind is something we should be doing everyday!!!  And if we are kind to others and help others out, maybe people like Henry would still be around.  Have a blessed day!!!