When a family is in the stage of crisis in their experience of life that makes them a Project Parent Family, sharing their story with others is most often farthest thing from their minds. The toll on these families is unfathomable unless one has experienced it. That’s where we step in, we have experienced it, and we are here to bridge the gap and give freely of our time and resources as was done for us by so many. It’s easier to request support when a story can be shared and that’s why we share ours.
Our intention is to lessen the burden on these families not to add to it. Our “Request For Support” form is short and simple. It does include an optional section for families who want to share something about their precious child. A few do…
Brief Share on our most recent family and our upcoming 4th Annual Gala in support of them:
What to say?! Typically, I have plenty of words to wrap around what is, this year however I have found myself very quiet. Quiet does not mean inactive and plenty of movement and intention continues with the Place of Possibility! As I invite you to support our 4th Annual Gala let me just share a story of the most recent family we supported this past week.
In the spring of 2018, after 18 months in my grief journey, a retreat called Restoring a Mother's Heart came into my awareness. As I read about the weekend, I knew it was something I was being called to attend. During the retreat a few connections were made that have sprouted in different ways over the past two years.
A benefit of Facebook is keeping people in contact who otherwise would likely be unaware of the journey of each other's lives. A few weeks ago, a special family showed up on my feed. Their story encompasses a path that traversed once is inconceivable, yet for a second time they find themselves on this same journey!! The mom of this young family was at the retreat grieving the passing of her son at age 2 ½. He was diagnosed at 11 months of age with Tay-Sachs disease. The miracle they hoped for was not to be and this family found themselves in the incomprehensible journey of grief of a child. Some time passed and they discovered that they were being blessed with another child in March of 2019 and this angel was born with Tay-Sachs just like her big brother.
A few weeks ago, a post came to my attention on FB and once again this family is experiencing the unimaginable, as their beautiful baby girl was placed on hospice. I reached out and shared Project Parent with them. In just a few quick, un-intrusive message exchanges this family was supported by you and your generosity as funds in the amount of a day’s pay were quickly sent to them in financial support of their journey.
The brief form families are asked to complete offers a space for parents to write something they would like to share about their Child, this is what was shared from this family...
"Our sweet _________ is a mommy and daddy's girl. Her smile lights up the room and she's taught us a love language without ever speaking a word. Although our hearts are breaking it's with great honor to be her mommy and daddy!!"
Thank you for your support of the Place of Possibility and we look forward to seeing you at this year's Bowties & Butterflies Blacktie Dinner Gala. The event this year falls right on Zach's birthday. He turns 25 and we have themed this year's Gala "Surprise Party" as this year has certainly been one of "surprises". Our intention is lots of FUN surprises, making this year new and unique despite all the circumstances of 2020. Families still need help, even more help than before. Let's do this together and have a great time doing it!!
Loving Words from more Project Parent Families:
Elias Age 10 - Daddy Says: Elias gives me hope and trust that we all have a purpose here. That purpose is a life long journey and in that journey we meet people (who) help through it.
Hadassa, - Daddy Says: Hadassa is our warrior that has demonstrated great strength. Our faith has become stranger and she is our motivation.
Haven Age 1 - Mommy Says: Haven has taught us patience and to never give up. She teaches us to enjoy every moment in a day. Haven is a beautiful soul. (homozygous achondroplasia, restrictive lung disease)
Genesis Age 18 – Daddy Says: Genesis was a piece of heaven that we had the privilege of caring and creating experiences. (malignant neoplasm of bone and articular)
Leonardo – Mommy Says: He might be old in age, but he is still a baby…He is a fighter (cerebral palsy, chronic respiratory failure)
Nathaniel Age 13 – Mommy Says: Nathaniel is battling stage 4 group 4 Rhabdo. 5 days before his last chemo (or should have been his las chemo) we got new he relapsed and are awaiting our next treatment plan.
Lyanet Age 5 – Daddy Says: Lyanet is a very charismatic 5 year old girl who has wished of celebrating her sweet 15 with family. Just recently she was hospitalized and she no longer wants to have a celebration and wants only to spend time with mom and dad. (malignant neoplasm of brain)20
Zachary Age 20 - Our Last Picture Together
The reality of the journey is unimaginable and though there is no escape we do survive and through faith, trust and belief and the passing of time, BEing, BREATHing and BELIEVING the possibilities of healing are available in grief.
Zachary you are my Boy and I am your Mom and I love you forever
Keep sending me miracles and blue butterflies
Mommy Loves You!