Do you ever have one of those months (not days) where things are just a bit out of balance?  One day, I’m listening to my daughter (freshly returned from her 18-month church mission) share her tender spiritual experiences with the congregation in a very personal, mature and grace-filled message.  My child literally glowed.  Throughout the next week, I received news from three separate family members that they are facing extremely challenging health issues.  The next moment, I’m simply in awe of the beauty of our state, while watching my youngest daughter play her last year of high school softball.

The ups and downs have been going on for awhile now; perhaps I’m finally mentally clear enough to notice.  Quite nice, actually – I’m living again – and feeling and seeing and hearing.  I’ve added hearing because right now our 12-year old golden retriever is snoring quite loudly.

Part of the ups include finally meeting Ann Smith a few weeks ago.  Ann’s son, Tyler, was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (very rare liver cancer) at the age of  14 in May, 2011 – just a month before Nick passed away.  Ann and I have close mutual friends but had not ever met, though both aware of each other’s journey.  During the next year, Ann and her family dedicated themselves to saving Tyler’s life and established “Fight2theFinish.”  Though Tyler’s body lost the battle in May, 2012, his spirit and legacy live strongly through his foundation to support other cancer fighters.  Ann and I have emailed and texted often but never personally met until she delivered the tee shirts I ordered to help Dallin Hess.  Dallin was another young man determined to make a difference with his mantra, “Life – Make Lemonade” before succumbing to cancer last month.  He made a difference.  It was wonderful to finally meet Ann, and to thank her for the extraordinary work she continues to do.

I am also in contact with Krystal Hansen, the newly appointed Chair of American Childhood Cancer Organization, Utah Chapter.  Krystal lost her son to neuroblastoma at age 4 and she is going to represent the fight loud and proud.  Her son, Christian – “Mr. C” – was one of the cancer cuties honored at our last charity softball tournament.  On February 4th, we lost one of our First Descents “camper kids” – Kelly Pozzoli – to cervical cancer – at the age of 33.  In her effort to give back, she recommended donations to FD, of course, as well as 3LittleBirds4Life.org, a foundation dedicated to granting wishes to young adults with cancer.

And then earlier this week, I received an email from Nick’s close friend (and mine), Makelle.  She had just hosted a youth conference last weekend and a young woman named Emily Bea came to sing a song she wrote honoring her friend that died of rhabdomyosarcoma (same cancer Nick had – extremely rare).  This song is absolutely beautiful to me; the lyrics, her voice, the melody – all of it.  She has given me permission to post the link that will take you to her website and listen (for $1, you can download the song).  This song was inspired by and is dedicated to Tyler Robinson, an incredibly strong boy who passed away after a valiant bout with cancer. All of the proceeds to this song will go to the Tyler Robinson Foundation, created in honor of Tyler “dedicated to providing financial assistance to families with children battling cancer”. For more information about The Tyler Robinson Foundation, visit  tylerrobinsonfoundation.com.

I LOVE there are so many foundations making genuine and significant efforts to help children and young adults with cancer!  Often times, they work together, sharing experiences, time and vision.

So while the ups and downs continue, I am constantly reminded I am not in this alone.  Everyone has their own journey and I’m just so grateful when, at times, theirs intersect with mine to bring me strength, joy and examples of how to be courageous when feeling especially vulnerable.