I recently joined a local non-profit charity organization called Mothers Against Cancer. For sometime I have wanted to do something in Sarah's honor that would benefit children and their families who are facing the same battle. This organization meets once a year, the first Monday in December, to raise funds and auction off hundreds of gifts and baked goods. All proceeds are given to Texas Children's Hospital to fund research programs and assist families in need.
Today I had the privilege of attending their annual luncheon. I felt impressed to bring with me one of Sarah's funeral programs. The program has a beautiful picture of Sarah on the front with several other sweet photographs throughout. I am always grateful for opportunities to share this with others.
I enjoyed a delicious lunch and the company of several women who were seated at my table. I showed Sarah's program to a friendly woman sitting to the right of me. She asked if I would share our experience with her. Soon after she stood up with Sarah's program in hand and tearfully expressed her sadness over our loss and explained to the other women seated at our table that this was the purpose of Mothers Against Cancer--to celebrate the lives of those who have lost their battle to cancer and help save those who will one day be faced with the disease.
A few minutes passed and this same woman left the table for a brief moment and returned with Dr. Poplack, Director of Texas Children's Cancer Center. Dr. Poplack shook my hand and asked that I share Sarah's story with him. He graciously gave condolences and affirmed to me that the funds raised through this charity were greatly benefiting Texas' Children's cancer research. He gave me the very grim statistic that in this hospital alone, one child dies every four days from a brain tumor. Children and their families from across the world travel to Texas Children's for treatments and cures. Dr. Poplack asked that I mail him one of Sarah's funeral programs that he might share it with his colleges. I was touched that he was genuinely moved and wanted to remember one of the numerous little faces cared for at his hospital.
This week marks two years since Sarah's death. In some ways it seems her life ended long ago and in other ways it was just yesterday that I held her close and sang her favorite lullaby one last time. I am grateful for many opportunities to honor and remember her.
8 comments:
What a wonderful organization. I am so impressed by the compassion of that doctor-what a comfort that is in our health care system. Your little Sarah has been on my mind all week. I can still clearly feel her sparkly eyes and sweet smile as Brian carried her around church each week. What an amazing little spirit your Sarah is! I am so glad that you have found such a beautiful, uplifting way to honor her.
Thinking of you this week. We are so blessed to have these little angels in our home for awhile. I know she's smiling down on you and your family.
What a special and tender day for you, Christine! How absolutely wonderful for Sarah to be a part of this important event and for so many people to spend time thinking about her. Please look for an email from me later this week. You are, as always, in my thoughts.
What a wonderful opportunity. I am so grateful to know you have found a way to meet with other women and honor Sarah in such a way. I think that is so wise of you. I too, just love that beautiful program, and have found my children reading it and rereading it the last two years. Much love to you and your family.
Christine I am so touched and impressed with this experience. I admire your efforts to honor Sarah and wish you the best in this endeavor. I know your involvement will bring wonderful results to this organization and I also know it will help you in your healing process.
Such a beautiful cause. Sarah's story will touch so many lives now and always.
What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing this experience with us. One of Sarah's programs hangs in my craft room. It has given me many opportunities to share with others your experience. I am so glad you're involved with this organization.
What a wonderful experience! And what a sad statistic! Breaks my heart. i have been thinking about you all month. I'm praying the Lord is with you and your sweet family.
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