On June 6th, a 15 year old girl named Alice Pyne started a blog. She's 15 years old and is dying of cancer - the blog is her bucket list.
Her list is a compilation of typical things all 15 year old girls want to do, 'have a private movie party with my BFFs', to things she's always wanted to do but is no longer able to because of the cancer.
Within days, her blog went viral and people from all around the world are leaving comments, sending emails, and helping to make her dreams come true.
My friend Elaine emailed me this morning....we met by chance a few years ago and have kept in touch through email and facebook ever since. She often leaves thoughtful and thought provoking comments on my blog, sometimes giving me great advice on parenting, always guided by her heart and instinct. I respect her as a person and as a mother.
So when I read her email about Alice's blog and the words that followed "I think this is a good opportunity for all us to reach out and email a child who is ill....try to brighten their days. I would also think this is a good idea for teachers to create pen pals", I didn't hesitate.
As a mother, I can't imagine the strength it takes to put on a brave face while they fight an unfightable battle or the devastation of losing your child for any reason.
And these children....these brave children who are fighting so hard.
Maybe you're like me and you want to help but don't know how.
This is where Elaine comes in.....there is a way you can help. On Alice's blog there is a link to Post Pals, an organization in the U.K. that allows you to write and send messages to a child who is fighting a terminal illness.
Elaine also found an organization in the U.S. that does this as well - it's called Make A Child Smile.
She's currently on the hunt for a Canadian organization that does similar work - when she does, I'll update it here.
Today may not be your last day on earth, but imagine if it was....and you could spend those last moments making a sick child smile.
First off in Shit I Love today is Harto.
Harto is the genius behind My Drunk Kitchen. I discovered her last week through the Huffington Post and then spent the next half hour watching all of her videos.
Harto is brilliant. BRILLIANT! I am in awe of her and completely jealous at the same time. Not only is she hilarious, her editing is spot on. Seriously....I don't even think you should watch this video because then you too will get sucked into the awesomeness that is drunk Tacos and the next thing you know, you're clicking over to watch Brunches and Butter Yo Shit and then it's noon and you realize you've missed your deadline.
Okay, don't say I didn't warn you.
Next up in Shit I Love - Coppertone Mousse Sunscreen.
I'm going to take a wild guess and say that I'm not the only parent out there who has kids who hate having sunscreen put on. My kids are all "Why do we have to wear sunscreeeeeeeeennnnnnn?" while they do the impatient shuffle dance and back away as I'm trying to lather on the protective barrier. And of course, I'm all "Because I'm your mother and I said so" while grabbing their arms to drag them back over to me, only they're all slippery because of the sunscreen I did manage to get on and could slide their arms out of my grip. Not gonna lie....the whole putting on the sunscreen process launched more than a few tantrums at our house. Most of them mine.
The fact is, the boys didn't like the creams because it left their skin feeling greasy. I didn't like the sprays because it went everywhere. Also, have you ever tried to spray the bottle once your hands are covered in sunscreen? Is it just me or does it become a two-handed job for everyone else too?
So when I was asked if I wanted to try the new Coppertone Mousse Sunscreen, I was all for it.
Guess what? I love it. I'm not going to say our sunscreen shenanigans are gone for good - the boys are never going to actually 'like' the process of putting on sunscreen but it's become more manageable, plus there's no spray mess.
Number 3 on the list is this....
Really? Need I say more? I saw it at Bed, Bath and Beyond last year and have wanted it ever since. Finally, last night I bit the bullet and bought it. I'm having my girlfriends over tonight and in about 6 hours, that baby is going to be filled to the rim with sangria.
And lastly, but not leastly, in Shit I Love is this right here --> The Best Mom On The Block
I absolutely adore @caffeinated_mom and was lucky enough to meet her in person a year and a half ago. But what she doesn't know is that I stalk her blog. I've tried many of her recipes to much success and have a file folder of recipes I've printed off and are on my 'to make' list.
Yesterday she tweeted out she was just about to put up a new recipe for a BLT Pasta Salad and I actually bought bacon in anticipation. Her recipes are simple, family friendly and always delicious.
So now that I've shared with you....why don't you tell me about some of the stuff you love!
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I’m okay with rainstorms, even downpours where the wipers can’t keep up with the torrents of water on the windshield. Blizzards don’t even really phase me anymore. It’s the cloudy days that do me in. Those are the days I grip the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white and every oncoming car is a threat. Loud noises cause adrenalin to course through my veins and I shush my kids more often than usual.
It was an overcast day when my family was hit head on by a drunk driver while on our way to my mother-in-laws to celebrate Mother’s Day. In the grand scheme of things we were okay, no 'catastrophic injuries' as the insurance companies like to put it. But there are ripples from the aftermath of the collision–my son’s fear of driving and back and neck injuries that keep cropping up.
Summer is almost upon us and with it comes long weekends and vacations. For many of us, this means more hours on the highway as we head to our cottage or vacation destination. And with cottages, backyard bbq’s and warm evenings relaxing on a patio there’s many more opportunities to drink.
Or maybe drinking isn’t involved at all. Maybe you want to make the most of your four hour drive to the cottage so you grab your cell phone and start talking and texting your friends. Or you want to change the CD and your eyes leave the road for just a few seconds while you rummage around for Bruno Mars. It could be that your kids finished their movie and want to watch another but the next exit is miles away so you attempt the disc switch while on the highway.
We are a distracted society. We’re still driving while we’re distracted. We’re still drinking and climbing into our cars thinking we have it under control. Unbelievably, there are are parents who are moving their kids up to booster seats when those children aren’t the proper age and weight for that restraint and/or not using a booster seat at all. And many of us are still driving well beyond the speed limits posted.
Those families who have lost loved ones because someone else chose to drink and drive or not pay attention while on the road, those families will never be the same. From this point forward, life for them will be known as before the accident and after the accident.
If you cause an accident because you were drinking or distracted or not obeying the laws, if your child is hurt because they weren't restrained properly, this will hold true for you as well.
So I’m here today to ask that this summer when you’re out on the road to pay attention. Don’t drive while you’re distracted. Don’t drive while you’re drinking. Pay attention to the speed limits, they aren’t just a guideline. And always, always, always make sure everyone in your vehicle is properly secured in restraints that are appropriate for that person’s age and size.
Having a safe summer isn't up to everyone else, it's up to you.
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