gratitude – Page 4 – Kelsey's Kaleidoscope

An open letter to the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders Organization

An open letter to the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders Organization:

Saturday, November 5 began early in my house. We had to be up and out of the house by 7:15 A.M. on a Saturday to make it over the bridge for the start of the Philadelphia Eagles Junior Cheerleading Session. If you knew the month we had leading up to this date and the week we endured that brought us out of the house before we typically leave on a weekday, you can understand why a part of me wished I hit the snooze button.

Then we arrived at Lincoln Financial Field for the A.M. session of Eagles Junior Cheerleading. We were greeted by smiling faces at every turn and walked up the escalator to the beaming faces and beauty that embodies the Eagles Cheerleaders. My spirits have been a bit broken and the thought of being surrounded by such beauty on a day where I wanted to hide under the covers was not ideal.

However, the cheerleaders are not just beautiful women on the outside. Those gorgeous gals talked with every little girl that arrived and made her feel confident and special. Their beauty runs far beyond face value.

My little girl especially needed to be surrounded by friendship, happiness, and a positive attitude this week because her spirits have been very fragile. She recently had a hospital stay that scared friends and family alike. This time, unlike other scares we have faced with her rare illness, she is keenly aware of her body, the awkward biopsy scar that still looks fresh on her calf, and the belly and cheeks that have grown puffy through steroid doses. It’s much more difficult to face these challenges and remain strong because she is asking me questions that I am struggling to answer.

This morning, no one knew of these struggles. Well, that is not entirely true. Four of these lovely women joined a fundraising event held at Pat’s King of Steaks in September. In fact, it was at that meeting where Kelsey was informed about the Junior cheer session. I am grateful for Amanda, the talented and stunning Eagles cheerleader, who told us about today’s events and helped us become a part of it.

When you live in a world world that can oftentimes seem selfish and self-centered, it is truly refreshing to watch women collaborate, encourage, and teach young girls. The girls learned a cheer and a dance today. That was the objective. However, the cheerleaders taught the girls so much more than a routine. They modeled poise, grace, and confidence along with every step.

While the Eagles Cheerleaders are gorgeous individuals with pristine physical appearances, they were encouraging young women to smile and have fun with the bodies they arrived in. There were girls of all shapes and sizes present that varied in age and experience level. The cheerleaders made each one smile and sparkle from within.

Personally, it has been about a month since I have seen that spark from within my daughter. I shed a few tears on my keys as I attempt to put into words just how much having your organization renew Kelsey’s energy and her smile means to me. I’m sure it is a combination of her body accepting new medication and as a result feeling a bit more like herself today. But my family has felt a bit broken as we have watched a child that typically shines who has been fading instead.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank your organization for helping young girls feel confident and excited to work as a team, smile, and simply have fun. I think we need more role models like you in our world who are promoting the right values and helping kids feel confident in who they are. I know that my daughter needed this lift today in more ways than one. Truth be told, so did I. Thank you.

Fondly,

A grateful mother

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#flyeaglesfly @eaglescheer

“Progress will not prevail through silence.”

I can vividly picture the buckets of rain pouring down on my car in the spring of 2004 before GPS was on my phone or in my car. I was completely lost in a foreign place and saw spotlights in the Home Depot parking lot up ahead. As the daughter of a handyman, I knew those lights anywhere.

I safely parked and called the only person I could, my Dad. He knew exactly how to help me find this hidden school in a town I knew only through my google search. That is my father for you. It seems that he is always there any time I need him with the exact answer or helpful hand. Whether it is repairing a flat tire on the curved and very dangerous on-ramp to 295, sitting with me through every day of Kelsey’s hospitalizations and always arriving with a large pumpkin DD coffee, fixing anything for me in a pinch, or building a deck with my husband, my dad is always the one.

And so my father saved the day yet again on that Spring evening of low visibility as I was about to face my first interview in the world of education. The Superintendent and Principal were holding 15 minute interviews in the library throughout the day, and I believe that I had the final appointment of the night.

Now five minutes late and wondering if they would still be inside at 8:20 P.M, I found the door locked. Lacking an umbrella and holding my teaching portfolio that grew soggier by the second (thank you to whoever created plastic sheet protectors, by the way! Without you, I stood not a chance.), it seemed that Murphy’s Law was enjoying this hour on my behalf. When I finally reached the correct door, now likely ten minutes tardy, both Superintendent and Principal seemed warm and full of energy after a long day at work.

Late and wet, I forged on with my educational jargon, apologized profusely for my tardiness, and went with the honest approach about the rain. It was not raining when I left my evening class in Ewing, NJ nor was there a cloud in the sky all day while I was student teaching. I did not even think to grab an umbrella just in case. I was, after all, still a college student.

The two administrators could not have been nicer to me and seemed to let my joke and my honesty lighten the mood. I had an immediate comfort and connection with these two, and the feeling must have been mutual.

The journey to a job offer did not end that night, and three more interviews, including a demonstration lesson, were still necessary hurdles to cross. At least I knew the way now. The sun seemed to shine and mock me on each of the subsequent interview days that followed this initial test of my will and my patience.

That day was serendipitous after all and maybe it was Murphy’s Law that made me stand out. Whatever the case, I was offered a second grade teaching position before I graduated college. I was extremely proud.

After the first blunder, I read more about this tiny town and was impressed with all that I learned. Over the years, I have met countless families who have done everything from the extraordinary to the everyday necessities for their children. I have assisted in the home schooling of a student near and dear to my heart who still battles the effects of Leukemia. I have hosted tailgate parties with my grade level partners to celebrate local sports teams, created “Olympic” events and reading challenges with my incredible colleagues, and loved every one of my students dearly.

I would like to think that I have made a difference in the lives of many. They have given me joys, challenges, and proud moments that I will never forget. Each one has taught me something about life, humanity, and the pursuit of academic excellence.

The relationships that I have made in this town surround me in almost every aspect of my life. Over a decade of connections add up quickly. The irony of Saturday for me was that the relationships that lifted me up this weekend are the same ones I kept in the dark for so long. My journey was purposely kept hidden because it was easier, I was in denial, and I felt that it was the most professional thing to do.

The students and families who came to support Kelsey’s Lemonade Stand on Saturday at Chestnut Branch park filled my heart with more happiness than I am able to describe in words. Through the efforts of Tina Munholland, her family and with the assistance of all members of the Lutz, Buckley, Capasso, Kulback, and Buck families (among countless others that I admire and appreciate), one town came together to raise more than $1500 to help my family find a cure for my daughter. Though the money was incredibly generous, Saturday meant so much more than the donations.

Then this afternoon, I unexpectedly encountered a former student who is now in sixth grade. We did not expect to see one another. Seeing him was surreal for me. There he stood, tall and proud in a Kelsey’s Kaleidoscope t-shirt I did not even know he owned. His grin spanned from ear to ear, and I was left speechless. I was truly overcome with emotion as I am now typing about the love and support I have felt over the past few days for my daughter’s cause.

Tears stream as I reflect on all of the years and the good I thought I was doing. I realize now that I am just lucky to be a part of something amazing. There is a tremendous amount of great at every corner of that tiny town. Those, like me, lucky enough to call it our work home only seek to enhance the great and make it exceptional whether we realize it or not. How fortunate we all are.

Silence is said to be golden in a theater, but I have found little value in it elsewhere. My new motto is “Progress will not prevail through silence.” Thank you for listening, supporting, and promoting progress. Thank you Dad for somehow navigating me to that hidden school and thank you to the Superintendent and Principal who gave me a chance.

These words are a humble attempt at my heartfelt appreciation, though they could never fully convey my sincere appreciation.

#newviewforpan

Wit or Wit Out?

This summer has brought me to a new level of humility, gratitude, and appreciation, all of which I find to be fundamentally sound values to foster in children and adults of all ages. September and November Events are filling up, and I am touched more than I could ever express for the diligent efforts of our family and friends. It is no wonder that my family tree has strong roots in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia .

William Penn founded the historic city in 1682 and the Declaration of Independence was signed there in 1776. It is home of the Liberty Bell, the most intimidating fans in football, and my grandmother. As a New Jersey native, I must admit that my South Philadelphia roots and incorrect pronunciation of “water” can not help but come out from time to time.

The Philadelphia Eagles will begin the 2016 football season on Sunday, September 11, 2016 just a few blocks away from my mother’s childhood home. Those passionate fans will be ready to stand tall for our country and for their team. They will bleed a combination of green, red, white, and blue to commemorate Patriot Day and the American past time. Fans will honor and cheer for the memory of what was and the hope of a new beginning.

Then, it is my sincere hope that win or lose, another tradition will stay strong. The one and only Pat’s King of Steaks since 1930 is located at the intersection of 9th Street, Wharton Street, and Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia and sure to serve up a post game delight. This iconic location will help my family’s efforts become one step closer to a cure by hosting Cheesesteaks for Kelsey. On September 11, we will join forces with the King himself to help the Princess of our lives. $1.00 from every steak purchased from 4 P.M.- 10 P.M. on 9/11/16 will go towards our mission and help us with our goal. Come one, come all.

Win or lose, my heart will be full with pride as an American for all of the pain and resilience that day represents, pride as a mother on a mission to bring attention and hope to her daughter and other affected children, pride as an Eagles fan, and pride in my South Philadelphia roots. The City of Brotherly love will not disappoint me.

Are you wit us or are we wit out you?