A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘childhood cancer’

Skipping and Squealing with Squeaky Shoes On

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

 

 

“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.”

Unknown 

 

 

Something that never ceases to amaze me, with the more I learn about the children and families affected directly by childhood cancer, is the sheer multitude of them who become passionately involved in ending the suffering of children with cancer. This alone speaks volumes. My heart breaks for the families who no longer have their child by their sides. And here they are, fighting for our kids of the future… making sure that no child has to face what their child faced.

If people could see how hard they are working, or even feel a glimpse of their pain and loss, all of humanity would step up as an enormous support system to help them in their mission– and to honor and recognize the bravery of their childhood cancer heroes. 

At the very top of our “To Do List,” as a World, Country, and as People, is to help fight for the children who have no voice. Children fighting cancer are too busy fighting to have a voice, and too young to articulate their needs to the adult world. Somehow, these kids make the world brighter, even though their own world is falling apart. I want to recognize them and honor them. I saw a little girl and boy skipping and squealing through a store with their Squeaky Shoes on, and I thought…

“That’s what I want for all kids.” 

If you want this for all kids, there are many things you can do to help get rid of the Childhood Cancer Monster. 

Alexa Nawrocki 

My mom and I had the honor and great pleasure of meeting Joann Nawrocki of Alexa’s Foundation during the Hope Tour of Summer 2011. Alexa lost her battle to cancer, but Joann has worked tirelessly to bring Alexa’s love and light to other children fighting cancer. We love you Alexa! We love you Joann!

Joann Nawrocki
Alexa Nawrocki Pediatric Cancer Foundation

Someone else Mom and I had the honor of meeting during that time is Ali McDonough, and her father, Joe. Please vote for Ali McDonough B+ Foundation. She is up for an award, and she really, really has earned it. After the loss of her brother, Andrew, she has turned her loss into hope for children with cancer. Thank you Ali!

http://www.nascar.com/promos/bettyjanefrance/vote/thank_you.html

Please take a moment to vote for Ali– B+Foundation!

Another way you can support these families and honor the children…

The Isaiah Alonso Foundation Chase Community Giving and Ethan Jostad Foundation

(You can vote for two! Just a moment of your time!)

https://www.facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving/app_162065369655?cv=2&app_data=ein|38-3818833

https://www.facebook.com/ChaseCommunityGiving/app_162065369655?cv=2&app_data=location|/charity/view/ein/45-3049472

If you have not seen them yet, here are the first two previews for The Truth 365. 

Day one Preview of TheTruth 365

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URnulziqMNA&feature=plcp

The Truth 365 Day 2 Preview Campaign

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djGaTAlfrXE&feature=youtu.be

This includes The Truth 365 Interview with Talia… before she knew her dream to meet Ellen would come true!

One more thing I want to share with you today is the inspiring story of childhood cancer survivor, Sabrina Cannella.

http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1502520–people-we-love-sabrina-cannella#.UFO__k_ooO8.mailto

I am in awe of what families and survivors are doing for our kids of the future. I imagine what can happen with the support of our communities, businesses, and government. I know there can be a day when all kids can skip and squeal, with their greatest care at that moment being that their shoes light up and squeak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Talia on the Ellen Show and The Truth 365 Tonight

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

“The world is my country, all mankind are my bethren, and to do good is my religion.”

Thomas Paine 

Oh my gosh!

Did you see Talia on The Ellen Show today? The show has not come on here where I live, but this is what I have seen!

http://www.ellentv.com/2012/09/13/talia-becomes-an-honorary-covergirl/

I am so happy for Talia! Ellen, I thank you! You not only thrilled Talia, who has gone through way too much for any human… but you also thrilled each of us who care about children with cancer. What you did for Talia today, you also did for us. Her joy is my joy!

And Cover Girl, you ROCK, you just plain ROCK!

https://gracemelinda.com/2012/08/07/make-a-wish-hope-tour-meets-dr-josh-in-utah-and-hope-for-talia/

Do you know what tonight is my friends?

Just checking… to see if you have been reading along… or sleeping… because I would like to have your full attention.

Tonight, at 6:00 EST, The Truth 365 campaign begins. This is the link where you can watch!

This is a tremendous opportunity to learn, to grow, to share, and to make this world a safer place for our children. The number one cause of death by disease for children in our country is cancer. I am not messing around here. It’s time we go for the jugular. We do this by funding pediatric cancer research. 

What Ellen did for Talia could not be more wonderful.

It breaks my heart that Ellen could not give Talia what she really wants and what she really needs— a body free of cancer. Talia, if only we could!

Please do not sit on the sidelines, and hope that others will play the game.

It is not really a game at all; it is a matter of fighting with all we have against suffering and death of the most beautiful and precious humans on this Earth.

Make-A-Wish Hope Tour at Randall Children’s Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Make-A-Wish, May my Wish Bloom and Grow

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

 

 

 

“Every End Is A New Beginning”

    ~Proverb

 

I will admit that this post is a difficult one to write. Wrapping up my Make-A-Wish Hope Tour Story is not easy to do. Like I quoted in my last day video, “All things must come to an end.”

I am discovering more each day that the mission of the Hope Tour has not ended, but instead, it has just begun. Meeting people with similar hearts for helping children with cancer has already given me the opportunity to connect people together for the common good of the kids. For example, I met Trevor Schaefer of Trevor’s Trek Foundation in Boise. Today, he is in Washington D. C. to meet with representatives about spectacular work he is doing to pass legislation that will help us learn about cancer clusters in the U.S.

It takes just a moment to sign the petitions:

Trevor’s Law:

http://www.petition2congress.com/4189/put-childrens-health-above-politics-vote-to-pass-trevors-law-sena/

While you are signing petitions for our children:

The Truth 365:

http://thetruth365.org/petition/

It’s true. The mission of the Hope Tour has only begun.

Make-A-Wish planned a very fun day for our final day in Los Angeles. Mom and I went to Universal Studios, with front of the line passes! Having concentrated on my health, my book, my studies, scholarship and college applications, and speaking/advocacy work the past four years, this was an entirely new concept to us! Oh my gosh– we laughed and laughed and loved our time there! Dracula tried his best to scare me in a gift shop. Little did he know that I have already faced the Real Monster!  I think he was a bit disappointed he was not able to rattle my cage. Hee hee, I think I rattled his instead!

Dracula was hungry!

 

Finally Met SpongeBob!!!

One of the things we did that we have never done before is have a caricature drawn. Mom enjoyed watching the artwork form, as I posed with my big Make-A-Wish button. “Yes, please include my button in the drawing!”

Caricature at Universal Studios

During our time at Universal, Mom took her usual “Jumping Photos.”

Hope Tour at Universal Studios

 

Hope Tour at Universal Studios

Hope Tour at Universal Studios

Hope Tour Video Day 27

Hope Tour Video Day 27 Part II (too funny!)

The final day of the Hope Tour arrived on July 14th—28 days after we left home. I had so many emotions inside me that day. I was sad. I was happy. I felt like this was what I am supposed to be doing, and it felt odd to have it end. I agonized over the location of my last Hope Tour Video, and then it came to me… right off the freeway on the way home… Cottage Hospital!

Final Hope Tour Video Day 28

I didn’t know then what I since have learned. All of the people I met, and places I went, are a part of me now. No one, and no thing, can ever take that away from me. I am grateful. I am truly, truly grateful. Now, I can take all that I have been given in my wish and transform it into help for the children I love so much.

Make-A-Wish made my wish much, much more than I ever wished or dreamed. May all that Make-A-Wish has given me grow and transform into the ultimate wish come true—saving children’s lives.

Location of my “Last Chemo Day at Cottage Hospital” photo

Thank you to Make-A-Wish!

 

 

 

 

 

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Make-A-Wish Makes My Wish Live On

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

“The crest and crowning of all good,

Life’s final star, is Brotherhood.”

~Edwin Markham

My Make-A-Wish Hope Tour time in Phoenix ended late in the afternoon, and then, Mom and I hopped into HerbertTheHopeMobile and headed toward California. 

California on the Hope Tour– what’s up with the trash???!

We encountered a brief display of nature when what I call a Mini-Haboob (Wikipedia definition) swept over the highway we were driving on. Tumbleweeds and twigs flew through the air as we found ourselves unable to see the road in front of us. The “I Respect Nature” display did not last long in its vigor, and soon, we were able to continue on, with a significant dust storm flying all around us.

On our way out of Phoenix, Mini- Haboob

By the time we reached Hyatt Westlake Plaza, we were two bleary-eyed Hope Tour-ers! Mom and I awakened the next morning to a surprise that opened our bleary eyes… it was a message from Linda… the Linda who planned the entire Hope Tour. She was down in the lobby!

Linda, my Make-A-Wish Angel

Linda has been incredible, amazing, and all other great adjectives rolled into one. She understood how I wanted to make my wish bless the children who are fighting cancer, and how I wanted my wish to raise awareness that will bring funding for pediatric cancer research. Linda, from Tri-Counties Make-A-Wish, worked with other chapters, including National, to make my wish come true. Through their co-operation, Make-A-Wish has not only made my wish come true, but they have made it possible for my wish to live on.  Linda, my very own personal Make-A-Wish Angel, I thank you. I know you love the children just as I do, and that’s why you were able to do what you did—pretty much the impossible! Mom and I thank you for our time together that enriched our lives; may it spill over and bless others. You will always be an Angel in my life.

After meeting Linda in the hotel lobby, we left for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Thank you to Marlen Bugarin, for meeting us. Marlen took us on a tour of the hospital, and I also had a time to meet Dr. Stuart E. Siegel, Director Head, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Professor of Pediatrics. Make-A-Wish far exceeded my wish by planning meetings with many oncologists and researchers on my Hope Tour.  This was a wonderful surprise! The opportunity to meet with doctors and researchers goes even beyond inspiring me to do what they do. By meeting, this opportunity opens the doors for all of us to work together for common good for children fighting cancer. Whenever we join with others who have the same passion, the good we can do exceeds the sum of the parts. It’s like vinegar and baking soda combined… bubbles!

With Dr. Stuart Siegel at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

One of the things I will remember most about my visit to CHLA, besides meeting Dr. Siegel, are the warriors I met that day. I met several teenage warriors who will always have a piece of my heart. I talked with Austin and his mom. Austin and I have a lot in common. He plays football, and we spoke of how hard it is to not be able to do what you love and how—at the same time—that love for what you love to do is what gives you the push to heal. I think of Austin every day… and I check in on his page to see how he is doing.

Austin!

Someone else I will always remember is Henry. Henry told me an unbelievable story about his life and about what he has overcome, and how cancer has actually helped him to be who he needs to be. I won’t give the details, because, I have encouraged him to tell his own story!

Henry!

On our way back to our hotel, after visiting the hospital, we missed the onramp to the freeway. As we drove down a street to turn around, we noticed a dog tied up outside a motor-home that looked like it didn’t “motor” anymore. The dog’s bones were sticking out, as if the poor baby was starving. Mom pulled over HerbertTheHopeMobile, looked into the back, and she pulled out something for the dog to eat. She got out, walked over to those who were in the motor-home, and asked if it would be okay to feed the dog.

I love my mom.

My Make-A-Wish Hope Tour created many acts of love… this is why my wish lives on.

California in the Distance on the Hope Tour

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Stand Up 2 Cancer and Taylor Swift, Turning Tears Into Hope

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

“And we wept that one so lovely should have a life so brief.”

~ William Cullen Bryant

“One so lovely”…

The attention to childhood cancer in last night’s Stand Up 2 Cancer production was HOPE for my spirit. Stand Up to Cancer has partnered with St. Baldrick’s to create a Dream Team; research means HOPE in so many ways. There are children who need treatment options now, right now.

PAC2 brought me this great news in my inbox today! I could not summarize this or explain it any better:

“Headed into last night’s show, while SU2C had funded some childhood cancer specific research, it had yet not formed a Pediatric Dream Team (i.e., larger, higher-dollar, multi-institutional research projects).   There are seven existing SU2CDream teams.  

But yesterday’s show and the collaborative efforts of St. Baldrick’s and SU2C are going to change that.  It almost seemed like the majority of the show was focused on kids!  Having Julia Roberts caution viewers that cancer “kills a child every four hours in this country.”  Having Justin, St. Baldrick’s Ambassador Kid, featured so prominently, having Taylor Swift dedicate her song to Ronan, and the hearts touched by Avalanna’s story are all giant leaps forward for childhood cancer awareness!!  Reaching a nationwide audience no matter what channel you tuned in!!  Leveraging our ‘normal’ audience an order of magnitude, or two!! 

 Hopefully a prime example of Awareness–>Funding–>Research–>Cure”

Thank you to PAC2 for always bringing us updated news!

Taylor Swift’s song to Ronan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ITrd7fM6aY

When we see the faces of childhood warriors, the youngest among us who fight cancer, they seem to always, always have a smile, even when their suffering is great. While they suffer, they think of others. They don’t want others to be sad because of their suffering. They don’t want to be their suffering.

“People know me for my happiness. I don’t want people to think of me for sadness.”

~ Jack Bartosz (August 24, 2012)

And so these brilliant spirits among us teach us strength. They teach us about courage and about what is truly important in our lives. They teach us not to be petty, or mean, or frustrated. Instead, their characters lead us to better ourselves. They lead us to the paths of compassion, gratitude, acceptance, and pureness of love.

I love them. I love these children with every speck of my heart. For this reason, I am one very happy Melinda! Stand Up 2 Cancer has stepped up to the plate for the kids!

SU2C, YOU ARE AWESOME!

Taylor Swift…

I keep searching for the words to thank you for your beautiful song, but it’s hard for me to see the screen while I type– and there are no words. If you could see the tears falling over my cheeks, you would instantly know the extent of my gratitude. Tears of the gratitude type speak volumes. Thank you!

To all of my AMAZING nurses, and to all the others… Thank you!

Did you know you can Be a Part of The Cure?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Wish Is…

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

A wish is…

 a hope, and a dream, and a leap of faith. One act of love can make it come true.

~Melinda

With summer 2012 fading into the sunset, I find myself with my first two weeks of college behind me. I love it here at Pepperdine! Before time rolls on, I want to complete my Make-A-Wish Hope Tour Story. I believe I left off at the Grand Canyon, which brings us to our time in Phoenix.

I will probably always chuckle when I recall our time in Phoenix. What makes me laugh is remembering waiting for our “shuttle” in the hotel lobby on our very first morning there. Our itinerary showed that a shuttle would pick us up and take us to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. We saw that there was a hotel shuttle out front and then noticed that the shuttle driver was scurrying around in the hotel. As we waited for the driver to finish his business in the lobby, an enormous white limousine—with a big blue star that said, “Make-A-Wish,”– pulled up alongside the shuttle.

Could it be that there is another “Wish Kid” here?

Could it be that that is for me?

Is THIS the “shuttle”?!

I was equally delighted by our ride as by our driver, Modjtaba. What a wonderful man, with a beautiful way, and what an enormous number of children he must have delighted throughout his many years of service to Make-A-Wish!

My “shuttle driver”, Maja

My special thanks go to Jamie, Teri, and Allison at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and to Rachel and Jennifer from Make-A-Wish.

With Rachel Jimenez from Make-A-Wish

Speaking at Phoenix Children’s Hospital

While I was at Phoenix Children’s, I was able to speak with patients and staff, have visiting time with patients, and was able to take a tour of their brand new facilities. The cafeteria at Phoenix Children’s Hospital wins my personal grand prize (thank you for lunch, Allison, and thank you to Jennifer from Make-A-Wish, Phoenix, for all your hard work!) One more of the many things I love about Phoenix Children’s Hospital, is that they have a therapy dog program! What would I have done without the therapy dogs at Cottage Hospital?!

I love therapy dogs! Phoenix Children’s Hospital

The staff was exceptionally kind and caring. I loved meeting each of them. You would imagine that anyone who would choose the field of caring for children with cancer would have qualities of gentleness and compassion, and this is exactly what I found at each of the hospitals I visited on the Hope Tour. I have within me even more respect, even more gratitude, for each and every worker who helps the children than ever before. Each of their jobs is important in the lives of the kids.

With Teri Lane at Phoenix Children’s Hospital

I want to hug them all! Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Ashton getting ready to go home!

Thank you for what you do!

Hope Tour Video Day 24

Hope Tour Video Day 24 Part II

Day Two in Phoenix brought more surprises. I was very excited for this day. I knew from our schedule that we would be meeting Elizabeth Reich, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona, and David Williams, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish. All I could think about was how I could ever express my thanks to them. How could I ever tell them what Make-A-Wish has done for me? How could I thank them for all that Make-A-Wish does for children with cancer?

These thoughts stilled swirled about in my brain as Mom and I entered the Ritz-Carlton in Scottsdale to meet them for lunch. It’s a good thing my brain was swirling a bit, because I was totally unprepared for what awaited us as we entered the beautiful building. As the doors opened, I noticed the staff was standing on either side of me, forming a path for me to walk through. And they were clapping.

Melinda Food at The Ritz-Carlton in Scottsdale

The swirling of my brain escalated, as we entered an elevator with Elizabeth and David that opened its doors to a room filled with my favorite foods! Really! Chef Jeff (I love saying that!) greeted us and then gave us a tour of the gourmet delicacies that awaited our lucky taste-buds. The food was delicious beyond word-description. It included a frozen yogurt for dessert (with berry topping!) that I swear had to come straight from the cow.

Lunch with David Williams and Elizabeth Reich– Chef Jeff at the Ritz-Carlton in Scottsdale

I loved meeting and talking with David and Elizabeth. I could have enjoyed their company all day long, and if there was room in my tummy, I could have enjoyed the food all day long! I send my sincere thanks to everyone at the Ritz-Carlton for everything! When we finished our lunch, we headed across the street to Make-A-Wish Headquarters. With this stop near the end of my Hope Tour, I had so much to thank everyone for that I could hardly wait.  

With Elizabeth at Make-A-Wish Headquarters

After speaking with everyone and signing books, Mom and I had a tour. I loved meeting everyone at Make-A-Wish. I was touched by the love in everyone’s hearts. I was touched by the photos on the walls of other Wish Kids.

With Frances and Jennifer at Make-A-Wish Headquarters in Phoenix

To anyone who has ever worked for or supported Make-A-Wish, I need to thank you. You helped grant so much more than my wish. You sent love into my heart and into the world.

Thank you!

Thank you Make-A-Wish!

 Hope Tour Video Day 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Making The Weak Strong

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

“Even the weak become strong when they are united.”

~ Johann Friedrich Von Schiller

Thank you, Mr. Von Schiller. I agree. Unification, to me, means each individual can bring their own specialty/resource to the group. Unification means strengthening of all our bonds. Most importantly, unification of the childhood cancer community will translate into less suffering and more lives saved.

Oxford Dictionary definition of Unification:

The process of being united or made into a whole

Doctors,hospitals, foundations, please accept this invitation to form a strong fortress of purpose along with this growing list of others.  Peter C. Adamson, M. D., Chairman of Children’s Oncology Group, has since joined this “Dream Team.”

Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Labor Day Weekend with The Truth 365

From The Truth 365 Website

 Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation

Awareness Beads

Band of Parents

BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation

Battle For a Cure Foundation

The Brad Kaminsky Foundation

Brooke’s Blossoms

Caleb’s Crusade Against Childhood Cancer

Candlelighters NYC

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Children’s Oncology Group

Ethan Jostad Foundation

Get Well Gaby Foundation

Healing Hunter Foundation

I BACK JACK Foundation

Isabella Santos Foundation

Jessie Rees Foundation: Never Ever Give Up

Kaely’s Kindness Foundation

Kids of Childhood Cancer

Kids v. Cancer

Kyle’s Krew

Melina’s White Light

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

People Against Childhood Cancer – PAC2

Pierce Phillips Charity

Press On to CURE Childhood Cancer

Seattle Children’s Hospital

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation

The Coco Foundation

The EVAN Foundation

The Maxwell Lacewell Foundation

The Sierra Rayn Foundation

Tucker Arnold Foundation

United in Grace

Wonder Capes

 More keep adding to the list each day. By uniting all of our “pieces,” we can create a strong, productive “whole.” With The Truth 365 campaign about to begin, this is a brilliant opportunity for the awakening of our communities, our nation, and the world we live in.

Please join in unity.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

~Helen Keller

Could that be a Monument balancing on top of my head, with a car going through it?  Yes, thought so! 

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It Takes Two to Speak The Truth

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

“It takes two to speak the truth—one to speak and the other to hear.”

~Henry David Thoreau

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in a project that is bringing together the entire childhood cancer community– a project I believe will change the future of childhood cancer. I remember my oncologist, Dr. Dan, explaining to me how the cure rates for childhood cancer have improved remarkably, because of the sharing of information through Children’s Oncology Group. I have since learned how there are multiple childhood cancer foundations working hard to raise money for pediatric cancer research, many of them started by families whose own child has fought cancer. By taking a stand alongside one another, we can have a larger impact, and make a greater impact faster. By joining together, we can learn and share The Truth.

The project, The Truth 365, seeks to create “One Voice” for all. In creating One Voice, we can “speak the truth,” creating the opportunity for individuals, private corporations, and for our elected representatives to “hear.” With all of my heart, I have hope that our Voice will not bounce off of numb ears and numb hearts. I want each one to accept a bit of responsibility when they “hear.”

The Truth is, childhood cancer research is overlooked and underfunded. The Truth is, childhood cancer researchers must spend many of their working hours applying for grants. I don’t want brilliant pediatric cancer researchers spending their precious time writing grant applications; I want them in the lab, finding causes and cures. Sadly, in the world of pediatric cancer research, this is The Truth. If funding for research is the greatest obstacle standing in the way of ending the suffering of thousands of children, what are we waiting for?

The Truth is, funding for pediatric cancer research is an extreme, high priority for us as individuals, as a country, and as a world. Let’s stand together for action now. Time is of the essence. Children are dying… seven each day in the United States alone.

This is a pledge to our children of today and a promise to children of the future. We are looking into the face of greatness here– greatness in the form of ending human suffering.

That is, our Baby Humans.

                                                                        Photo/Image by Mike Gillette

 

 

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Discovering the World — Make-A-Wish Hope Tour at the Grand Canyon

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.”


– Buddha

 

Without a doubt, one of the great joys of my Make-A-Wish Hope Tour was the opportunity I had to discover the world. I discovered more about the world of childhood cancer, about the patients, those who take care of them, about childhood cancer research, and about our healthcare facilities. I discovered new friends. Traveling by car, and seeing this country we live in, was a breathtaking education in itself! When Linda, my INCREDIBLE Make-A-Wish coordinator, told us that they would have to “put” us somewhere between Salt Lake City and Phoenix over a weekend, I had no clue that the place she would “put” us would be the Grand Canyon!

After a very long day of driving through sight after sight that drew our gasps, we approached the Eastern entrance of the Grand Canyon near the time of sunset. We had been driving through Navajo Land, and the circular huts we kept seeing had piqued my interest enough to Google them. (Yes, Google them!)

Make-A-Wish Hope Tour at The Grand Canyon

We pulled over at the very first look-out point after we entered the park, Desert View. No words or pictures, or anything Earthly could have prepared me for my first view of the Canyon. Rather than try unsuccessfully to re-capture my thoughts and feelings at the time…

Day 21 Video

Grand Canyon on the Hope Tour

We cried. Mom and I cried. We cried tears of joy for this place of unspeakable beauty before us. We cried tears of joy for life. We cried tears of joy for the love we have for each other. God’s presence and His love were overwhelming. Overwhelming.

Thank you again, Make-A-Wish, for giving me the opportunity to discover the world. I promise to give all my heart to it.

Thank you to Grand Canyon Squire Inn for our wonderful stay and for your kind support of Make-A-Wish!

From PA2 Events for September National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month...

http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com/page/pac2-september-2012-national-childhood-cancer-awareness-event-cal?xg_source=msg_mes_network

 

 

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