This weekend I hung out with my aunt. We laughed, I think she shed a tear, but we had a good time. And I walked away thinking, boy is she passionate.
Let me give you some back story.....
In 2008 my aunt had an abnormal mammogram [yes, mammograms suck but they save lives ladies] which resulted in a double mastectomy in 2009. At this time, she had 5 children, aged 8-15. She couldn't work, and her husband had to support them all while doing normal everyday life things- like driving them around to sports/activities, grocery shopping, making meals, etc.
And then something miraculous happened. The community stepped up and stepped in- people she knew and many strangers who became friends. Meals were brought over, kids were carpooled without questions, someone stopped by to make sure the kids actually ate dinner and did their homework. And my aunt recovered fully. They didn't miss a beat in their lives and were no worse for the wear (minus a pair of boobies).
After receiving such overwhelming support, my aunt decided everyone should have this experience. No one should be left to fight the fight alone and their family suffer because of it. Everyone deserved the love and support she had received, and she felt it truly helped her to recover completely and keep good spirits through it all.
So she created a charity. "Halos for Angels"- because everyone who helped her in any way deserved a halo. And that charity has sprung from a thought in her mind into a big deal- they even have a gala every year!
Her next big undertaking is pretty spectacular- she wants to build in her neighborhood and overall wellness center. For boys and girls of all ages races and walks of life- for EVERYONE.
It already has a business plan, and a sustainability plan. It already has a location picked out. It already has some small town support and one big heart backing it. It will take 1.9 million dollars. It will take passion, a whole lot of it, to see it from paper into realization. It's already had some blood sweat and tears. But my aunt says it will be affordable, benefit everyone who uses it, and should be a stable in all communities. I don't disagree.... there are places like this that are government funded in other countries, where they value mental health of their countrymen along with the physical.
This charity is my aunt's legacy, her life's work, her full time job- she is a part time nanny (her "little angels"). Her family is along for the ride, the extended family is in on it, the community and friends close to home and far away. It's become bigger than just her story. And she is living proof that what has been done is beneficial to individuals and families struck by tragedy, and that the community has a heart.
So - what are you passionate about? Where do you focus your time and energy?
Let me give you some back story.....
In 2008 my aunt had an abnormal mammogram [yes, mammograms suck but they save lives ladies] which resulted in a double mastectomy in 2009. At this time, she had 5 children, aged 8-15. She couldn't work, and her husband had to support them all while doing normal everyday life things- like driving them around to sports/activities, grocery shopping, making meals, etc.
And then something miraculous happened. The community stepped up and stepped in- people she knew and many strangers who became friends. Meals were brought over, kids were carpooled without questions, someone stopped by to make sure the kids actually ate dinner and did their homework. And my aunt recovered fully. They didn't miss a beat in their lives and were no worse for the wear (minus a pair of boobies).
After receiving such overwhelming support, my aunt decided everyone should have this experience. No one should be left to fight the fight alone and their family suffer because of it. Everyone deserved the love and support she had received, and she felt it truly helped her to recover completely and keep good spirits through it all.
So she created a charity. "Halos for Angels"- because everyone who helped her in any way deserved a halo. And that charity has sprung from a thought in her mind into a big deal- they even have a gala every year!
Her next big undertaking is pretty spectacular- she wants to build in her neighborhood and overall wellness center. For boys and girls of all ages races and walks of life- for EVERYONE.
It already has a business plan, and a sustainability plan. It already has a location picked out. It already has some small town support and one big heart backing it. It will take 1.9 million dollars. It will take passion, a whole lot of it, to see it from paper into realization. It's already had some blood sweat and tears. But my aunt says it will be affordable, benefit everyone who uses it, and should be a stable in all communities. I don't disagree.... there are places like this that are government funded in other countries, where they value mental health of their countrymen along with the physical.
This charity is my aunt's legacy, her life's work, her full time job- she is a part time nanny (her "little angels"). Her family is along for the ride, the extended family is in on it, the community and friends close to home and far away. It's become bigger than just her story. And she is living proof that what has been done is beneficial to individuals and families struck by tragedy, and that the community has a heart.
So - what are you passionate about? Where do you focus your time and energy?
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