Unlikely…
If you asked me five years ago if I ever imagined myself blogging, I would have said “unlikely” … I may have even said “never,” but you know how the saying goes. It’s true that I never wanted to write a blog or be a blogger. I never wanted to learn how to build a website. I never wanted to plan big events and I certainly never wanted to ask people for money. Basically, I never wanted to run a nonprofit, and yet here I am.
Five-years-ago me never imagined a lot of what my life has consisted of over the past several years. Having a child diagnosed with a horrific disease, the whirlwind of a "cancer team" from three different hospitals, sifting through medical documents, deciphering doctor talk, researching clinical trials, living out of a hotel room while friends and family cared for my other children, and watching my once vibrant and perfect child have endless procedures only to have the life sucked out of her day by day, and finally hospice, a funeral, and burying a small, teal coffin.
Grief, the sad eyes following you, watching other children grow and thrive, and wondering 'what if?' have all become normal. However, finding strength and joy in unlikely places has also become normal. And this is what fuels our hope. That and the incredible, generous, and unwavering support of our Love for Linley family.
I don't plan on revisiting all those heartbreaking moments in this blog— I'm not here to ruin your day (or mine!). I am honestly blogging because I don't know what the heck I'm doing and I need you all and all of your support. I'm blogging because I don't have a background in nonprofits, fundraising, event planning, or web design, but I'm trying my best and learning every day. Linley is worth it; she is my why. I have her whispering in my ear to not give up, to keep going, do my best. I'm trying to channel her overachiever and gentle leader ways and make her proud. I'm blogging because I believe success is possible with you behind me— your help, your advice, your expertise, and your love.
So, onto our first assignment… donations. Nonprofits, as their namesake alludes, run on donations. If we want to kick childhood cancers’ butt, we need to raise money not only to help families affected by this monster, but also to fund the most brilliant and cutting edge research and the most promising trials. Having first-hand experience dealing with doctors, organizations, and researchers at the heart of this disease, I can handle that part, but I cannot do it without your support. Every donation is significant! From small individual gifts to large corporate matches— you are so very important to Love for Linley Foundation.
To sweeten the deal…for every $5 donated, I’ll fix a typo in this blog or on the Foundation’s new website!! To all my perfectionist buddies out there, this one is for you!
To my Love for Linley family, my unlikely family— you've been there for us all along and we are so grateful for you.
And to my girl— love you always Linley— keep shining your light and I will keep telling your Story.
All my love,
