A New View for PAN
Cancelled. More often than not, we hear cancelled in 2020.
Birthday parties. Fundraisers. Milestone life events.
Cancelled.
Positive vibes surrounded us when a virtual party came our way to support our cause.
If you need some Tastefully Simple items, please shop away.
We are grateful for the support and generosity!
#BeBrave #MaskUp
When the MLB had its first outbreak close to our home, we felt nervous and worried about how safeguards in place allowed for the entry of positive COVID tests.
When house parties of over 700 guests occurred, we wondered how long it would take to move closer to us.
When face masks are mandated for school, we worry this is far from over.
Then a close relative received a positive diagnosis. Our prayers remain as recovery from COVID now requires hospitalization. Family members await tests and await the days of quarantine hopeful that positive is not a word they hear soon.
Positive is news we need. Positive is what we have to stay, however.
Decisions require careful thought and consideration at every turn.
We safeguard as much as we can but until the reality hits near your home, does it feel real? We struggle to make sense of it all and worry that an unexpected surge will soon lead us further apart.
Be brave and mask up.
An immunocompromised child in COVID 19 is tricky. Her mask was purchased more as a memory at the time because it was not a thought months ago, nor has it been since, to have her out in public. When she selected her pineapple print, we thought it was adorable. We never considered having her wear it to get scans, imaging, and pathology completed.
Behind the mask is a brave girl. Her monitoring this summer may be different than usual, but what appears to be “normal” in 2020?
Behind the mask was a smile as she held her father’s hand.
Behind the mask was an anxious face for wearing it for a length of time is not yet normal for hers.
Behind the mask was a proud mom who cannot quite describe how all of this feels in 2020.
Behind the mask was a dad who is always there to support and love his ladies.
Behind the mask was a brother who has matures and grows each time he removes his mask.
Behind the mask, we all look different.
Behind the mask, we are brave.
Behind the mask, we have hope for our future.
We wonder how long we will watch from behind the mask.
We thought the news of a populated pizzeria closure would raise caution. We had concern and worry for the week ahead. Instead, a few days later, we drove by a favorite restaurant of ours to see empty docks and parking spaces. We have not enjoyed a meal here during the summer of 2020, but we noticed how many others have so far this summer.
Not this weekend.
We saw emptiness.
Another positive test closed another popular dining location for a few days.
Will this continue to be a trend or is it a fluke two weeks in a row?
We applaud the business owners for following all of the rules and sanitation procedures. However, emptiness leads to worry and caution.
Be brave and keep staying safe.
Otherwise, we wonder, what next?
Kelsey wrote a guest blog today. Be brave, stay safe, and enjoy.
“Today I want to say I have felt closer to my family than I ever have before. I wanted to tell you because you might think it is too much time away from other people. You may be sad. You may be lonely. When you really think about it, you are spending quality time with family that you didn’t get before. Look on the bright side, restaurants are opening inside and outside for dining. Be kind. Be brave. Be yourself.
If you really get into it, life is getting back to normal but you still have to wear a mask. It is a good thing because people need to start feeling happy. They probably need time away from home. It is a good thing that you can go out and/or stay in. Life is sort of getting back to normal. The good thing for me is that I always have a family to see and a car to see them. I hope you had a family to see, too. Now that things are a little bit back to normal, enjoy it. I cannot wait to go to a restaurant and EAT! My family is not ready just yet, but I hope that you get out and can finally go somewhere.”
Be brave and enjoy.
As virtual graduation ceremonies commemorate the year and reopening phases begin, we continue to hope for the future and 2020. Bright spots have started to appear.
Today, driving slowly as Be a Light played on the radio, a car was pulled over onto the side of the road. A woman was standing in the middle of the road holding out her hand to stop. As the lyrics played, “…be a light” she slowly walked across the road. Next, it was clear. This kind woman was carefully placing a turtle onto the grass at the side of the road. She was freeing a turtle who was stuck in the middle of the road.
This small act of kindness was a glimmer of hope. She was a light.
Look for the good. Save a turtle. Be Brave. Be a Light.
Difference is always celebrated in the community of a rare disease family. Often called zebras for their unique traits, we embrace differences here.
Kelsey mentioned that she had a new song in her head. She wrote the words for me and has no idea how remarkable they are right now for our world. Children are our future and our future looks bright tonight…
Still a work in progress, but the current chorus:
Difference
“Difference is love.
Difference is pure.
Difference is power.
Difference is a thing that can never be taken apart.”
Be brave and celebrate your difference today.
It has been hard to find the words. It has been hard to face the day in 2020. Masks are worn and isolation is felt all around. Yet as America slowly reopens, one angry thought overshadows even a pandemic. An angry thought was felt nation-wide this week and our hearts feel it.
In the first week of June 2020, we are saddened. We are vulnerable. We have fear and anger at times in our hearts.
Over the course of these recent days, many families and individuals have come to mind. Scarlett Lewis is the most recurring voice because she personally knows the pain caused by an angry thought. Her inspirational message and social-emotional program were developed because of tragedy from an angry thought.
When Scarlett speaks, she always points out that her son, Jesse, lost his life as a hero at Sandy Hook Elementary because of an angry thought. Scarlett has reached a global scale with the Choose Love Jesse Lewis Movement.
In the first week of June 2020, let’s think like Scarlett. Let’s Choose Love. If love is all we need and our actions are driven by love or anger, why can it be so hard to Choose Love?
Scarlett, keep spreading your message and inspiring others to Choose Love.
Reflect. Hope. Be Brave. Choose Love.
A few months ago, a philanthropic group of women were on the soccer fields with news of an organization that ended abruptly after a decade of success, love, and teamwork.
Stronger and braver now than in the past, this tremendous group of warrior women could not be stopped! They formed a new alliance and stand together as The Wicked Warriors to make a difference in their community.
This week, The Wicked Warriors voted on their inaugural charitable selection. Though we are in uncertain times and the season of dragon boat racing may not commence as planned, these warriors voted and selected our organization to begin their quest to make a difference.
We are grateful that such a brave and dedicated group of women selected us.
Thank you for your support and for showing us, love.
Be Brave, Wicked Warriors!