The first year we had both children, Valentine’s Day snuck up on us like the evil puffy hearts temptress she is. We had no romance in our sleep-deprived bodies, but we had much love to give and wanted to find a place to celebrate. We knew one family in a way only social media and the two-degrees-of-separation the city of Richmond allows, The Reynolds, was putting on a family-friendly Valentine’s Day event, what is now the CJSTUF’s Thumbs Up Ball.
However, this was February 2010, only a month after their daughter, Charlotte, passed away from cancer. Yet they were still here hosting a gathering of families to celebrate a day of love. I always admired their fortitude or gratitude or caring or perhaps just that willingness to show up. When we arrived, I said hi and was introduced to Rachel as I had only met Roger in person. We didn’t talk much since they had many friends in attendance, and we had a preschooler and an infant to manage, but I was glad to see them and so many families surrounded by balloons and music and, of course, butterflies.
I’m pretty sure he didn’t steal that butterfly.
As these years gone on, our lives have crossed paths with the Reynolds here and there. I’ve reviewed Rachel’s book. Rachel has helped me out in personal ways that I can’t write about (who knew I had anything personal left?). I helped CJ’s Thumbs Up launch their brand new website (go check it out!).
However, I truly cherish the pictures from the first Thumbs Up Ball. I see my family as young and a little nervous to be bigger. I also see who will be. We were having such a tough year beyond just growing as family (sorry for the vague-blogging), but not so hard that we didn’t do for others. We helped and, eventually, let others help us.
Scott looks even rougher than me.
This year, I couldn’t wait to attend the Thumbs Up Ball, but sadly, we may not be in town because a good friend of mine has cancer. I may have to fly out to the West Coast to keep her company that weekend because that’s what we do. Not only my family. All of us. We don’t always realize it but in just showing up to our jobs and our families and our commitments and our lives, we are often there for others when they need to see a familiar face or realize they are not alone.
I hope your family is able to attend the ball on February 9 (register here). I also hope you are given a chance to help or be helped by someone in 2013. Those moments makes all the difference in who we are and who we will be.
