The last time i wrote, we had just come off a high from raising some $$ for Challenge - Supporting kids with Cancer...it has been nothing but flat out ever since...with both work and charity stuff taking centre stage...
For those that do ask about the twin boys who had JMML - Jarad and Connor, i was finally able to see them and give them a massive big cuddle in February...Jarad is still sick and is requiring many medical procedures, while Connor is pretty much back on track. While Jarad is home, he does spend a number of days through the week undergoing various treatments. After speaking with Chris - I think they are happy to be at home, although it still is clearly a trying time with them...when i can work out my camera...i will post some piccies of the boys (and show you the pics the boys took of me!)...it was a truly amazing experience to see them both again...and to see them looking happy and finally at home...it bought tears to my eyes...i know its still very much a trying time for the boy's family with Jarad still being sick with complications from his bone marrow transplant, but for the time being...they are alive and together and thats all they could hope for...
I also remember writing at the end of last year about Kelli Zook and her amazing friends who ran a marathon over in the United States to raise money for Leukaemia research over there...
Kelli sent me a copy of the DVD they had put together and it was absolutely amazingly beautiful. Thanks to all of you again...it was amazing...if anyone needs any inspiration, get in contact with me and i will send you the DVD...to me its just such a tragedy that we lose our loved ones to these diseases...just such a shame...but on the positive side, its wonderful to know there are people like Kelli out there doing a fantastic job raising money and awareness...well done to Kelli and team...well done...we here in Australia are just amazed...
Thanks also to my aunty Julia and her husband Michael who so very very kindly donated a DVD player and some DVD's for melon's cottage...you guys have only ever supported us...so a huge thanks to you...
thanks also to our mate Sally who I know reads the blog from her home in Laos...thanks to you for the DVD's you bought back after your last trip home...i know many families will enjoy them in time to come...
You all know by now that i am a lover of beautiful poems...either those that written in memory of Melon or those that i discover and share with you...
I have recently found something i would like to share with you:
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths.
These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life, that fills them with compassion, gentleness and deep loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen.
Elizabeth Kulbler-Ross
I would like to dedicate that to all the beautiful people out there that continually help us to heal and to be the people we are. Thanks...
Pete and i have recently been to Cairns to catch up with Hayley, Dale and our nephews - Kyle, Blake and Connor. It is clear to us that Eli is still very much part of their lives with many questions and statements coming our way...like....Eli is the brightest star in the sky...where is Eli now...etc etc. Blake (who is 6) still has a giraffe that Eli gave him when Eli was in hospital. Even now...it is still just so humbling to know that people - especially kids, are still so touched by Eli's memory. We consider it to be the best gift of all...and im sure like other mums and dads who have lost their children, it helps us knowing that our children will never be distant memories.
Speaking of memories...we only have a week to go before Worlds Greatest Shave happens...this year we are having a 'public' shave out the front of the Lakes Entertainment Centre (esplanade side)...we will have a small craft stall, a bbq and shaves/colours to raise money for a great cause...It will all kick off at 10am and wrap up around 1pm...thanks to Trav, Vikki, Coral, B and Flicko for helping us with morning tea's. A massive mention to Alan Webster who is shaving his mo after 34 years...he has used melon's memory for part of his inspiration and has raised a whisker under $30,000...an enormous effort and we are all just so proud!
For those who would still like to donate in Eli's memory...you can go to www.worldsgreatestshave.org.au - sponsor a team - "Melonhead"....
I think thats about it for now...I will hopefully get on in the next couple of weeks and post some pictures of our adventures over the past couple of months.
Before i leave, i would just like to acknowledge Nicholas Timms who would have been 3 today. Nick died just after Melon did...and we like to think that they are up there being the brightest stars in the sky...Happy birthday Nick...as pete says...celebrating birthdays remind us of what should have been...celebrating anniversaries of when our loved ones die are reminders of what was....
luv and hugs
the simpsons
xox
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