This week...
Well I continue to struggle with this cold... just a dry cough right now but enough so that I'm unable to rest peacefully at night... looks like Ian bounced back quicker then me. I hope everyone enjoyed the warm weather on Halloween. I am happy to report that Ian and I got through the evening with some sadness but overall we were happy with how we managed. Ian got held up at work so the first 1/2 dozen "trick or treater's" I managed on my own. My social worker from the hospital called at 5:45pm to see how we were handling the day and I stayed on the phone with him until Ian got home so that definitely helped. The kids were cute although a lot fewer than I had anticipated having bought 160 treats, we maybe had 50 kids. Ian and I were excited to see a little boy dressed up as a giraffe in the same giraffe costume that Grace wore for her first and only well Halloween. We missed her tremendously and were constantly thinking of what our evening would have been if she were with us but at the same time so grateful that we had our found memories to give us strength and get us through the pain of missing her.
Yesterday I had a meeting with a grief councilor (pre interview to being accepted into the support group that starts in Jan.) It was OK... many tears shed but her daughter also died at a young age due to illness so it was an interesting experience speaking to someone who can relate to the heartache. We spoke for over 3 hours.
We have found some volunteer activities through the Sick Kids Foundation. This is separate from Sick Kids hospital and does not require bereaved parents to wait one year post receiving treatment at the hospital to volunteer. This is because when you volunteer with the Foundation, you are not in direct contact with patients and parents. Ian and I will be volunteering with the Sick Kids Foundation in two ways: 1) selling "Starlight" necklaces along the parade route of the Santa Clause Parade to raise money for the Sick Kids Fund; 2) Selling lottery tickets at a booth at the One of A Kind Show to also raise money for the Sick Kids Fund. We look forward to continuing to volunteer with the Sick Kids Foundation as opportunities come available.
So, have you started your Christmas shopping? Have you decided what to get that person who has everything? Well here's an idea... You are able to donate money to Sick Kids honoring the person that you would like to buy a gift for. They will be sent a card so that they are aware you have made this donation in their honor or the card can be sent to you so that you can give it directly to them. When Ian and I sat down and did our Christmas budget, we were able to allocate over $800 to Grace's fund honoring those who have done so much for us over the past several months. We won't have a lot of presents under our Christmas tree, but we are confident that those we chose to honor with these donations will prefer this statement of gratitude. So here's the challenge... are you able to donate money to Sick Kids honoring those who you have no idea what to buy or those who seem to have everything? Any donation over $10 receives a tax receipt. Every $10 is a step towards finding cures for deadly pediatric diseases. Grace's fund is called the Grace Compagnon Stanley Tribute Fund if you would prefer the money to go directly to brain tumour research. Just call (416) 813-7350 or go to www.sickkidsfoundation.com and state which fund you would like the money to go to, the amount and who the donation is honoring (Ie your boss, parents, best friend etc.) They then do everything else. It is an easy, seamless process and a good way to celebrate Christmas!
Mama misses you baby.
L~
Yesterday I had a meeting with a grief councilor (pre interview to being accepted into the support group that starts in Jan.) It was OK... many tears shed but her daughter also died at a young age due to illness so it was an interesting experience speaking to someone who can relate to the heartache. We spoke for over 3 hours.
We have found some volunteer activities through the Sick Kids Foundation. This is separate from Sick Kids hospital and does not require bereaved parents to wait one year post receiving treatment at the hospital to volunteer. This is because when you volunteer with the Foundation, you are not in direct contact with patients and parents. Ian and I will be volunteering with the Sick Kids Foundation in two ways: 1) selling "Starlight" necklaces along the parade route of the Santa Clause Parade to raise money for the Sick Kids Fund; 2) Selling lottery tickets at a booth at the One of A Kind Show to also raise money for the Sick Kids Fund. We look forward to continuing to volunteer with the Sick Kids Foundation as opportunities come available.
So, have you started your Christmas shopping? Have you decided what to get that person who has everything? Well here's an idea... You are able to donate money to Sick Kids honoring the person that you would like to buy a gift for. They will be sent a card so that they are aware you have made this donation in their honor or the card can be sent to you so that you can give it directly to them. When Ian and I sat down and did our Christmas budget, we were able to allocate over $800 to Grace's fund honoring those who have done so much for us over the past several months. We won't have a lot of presents under our Christmas tree, but we are confident that those we chose to honor with these donations will prefer this statement of gratitude. So here's the challenge... are you able to donate money to Sick Kids honoring those who you have no idea what to buy or those who seem to have everything? Any donation over $10 receives a tax receipt. Every $10 is a step towards finding cures for deadly pediatric diseases. Grace's fund is called the Grace Compagnon Stanley Tribute Fund if you would prefer the money to go directly to brain tumour research. Just call (416) 813-7350 or go to www.sickkidsfoundation.com and state which fund you would like the money to go to, the amount and who the donation is honoring (Ie your boss, parents, best friend etc.) They then do everything else. It is an easy, seamless process and a good way to celebrate Christmas!
Mama misses you baby.
L~
posted by Lesley at 1:29 p.m.
1 Comments:
So nice to still keep reading your comments. You're such a strong woman and I know little Grace is very proud of you. We are coming up on five years that my son Kyle is cancer-free. We've learned so much from him and this horrible disease. It's never easy. I'm always scared but try to take it each day at a time. Stay strong and know that you have a lot of people, including strangers like me, praying for you and getting strength from your messages. Take care,
Sharon
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