My skin is hot, my toes are hot, my head is hot. I am so hot. I am not sure how going to Maine for a week rewired my tolerance for heat, but it did. Lordy mercy, the weather on that side of the country makes me weak in the knees. Now, I am fully aware that I am not seeing or feeling that crazy winter that they said they had. So, I need to check myself of all of this before I pack my bags. Either way, back to Texas we come.
Camp Sunshine. This magical place exists free of cost to families with different diseases that shake the world of families from all over the country. We, of course, went to the oncology camp and it is as if you are transported into a safe zone. A place where you don't have to explain or try to figure out your spot in the crowd because you are all in the fight together. Siblings find friends in cancer kids, cancer kids find peace with having their people at every corner. They come out of their shells and compare scars and battle wounds. Parents alike come together and it as if we have known each other for years. We meet and talk for hours on end in a counseling setup, we do trust building things, we climb walls, we eat together, we cry together. All in all, the therapy of healing was powerful at this place and I am forever grateful for the people who provide it for families like ours. We are forever grateful and hope to help pay it forward in some shape or form in our lifetime!
I was reminded of my family that lies in my friends here in Dallas. Many of the families there stated that their core group of friends did not show up as they would have hoped they would. I was left feeling just the opposite. My core group of people have been there for every step and I am so honored to call them my friends (or really family). E had to miss her dance recital that was a REALLY big deal that she worked up her muscle tone, learned the dances, and built her confidence to get up on stage. Weeks before the performance, we were accepted to go to camp. She was going to have to miss. This was hard on all of us. So, I sent out the call that I needed my people to help make a random dance class a makeshift recital and they heard the call. Friend after friend, and their kids and cameras, and flowers from those who couldn't make it, showed up with as much excitement as I did. Tears flowed as we watched our girl perform and I was so honored to sit back and just look around. We rolled over for some pizza and we all celebrated. We just celebrated it all. Nothing like loving one another over beer and a slice of gooey heaven.
I have so many other stories of our core people. So many people who have cared for us, fed us, sent us treasures for cloudy days. I could go on forever. Moral of the story is that we are lucky to have surrounded ourselves with badass people. It really does mean the world to us and gives me all the feels these days.
We are sending Jeff on a scavenger hunt tomorrow for Father's Day, so I have things to get in order. I will be back to see you guys soon!
Much love to you and the sunshine out there.
Until Next Time.
- Jenn
