To Transcend

 Transcend:  a : to rise above or go beyond the limits of

b : to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects of :

I was asked on Wednesday to come for milk break in Colton's second grade class.  A surprise was in the making and I didn't want to miss out.  Riley's mom, Karla, had purchased enough bracelets for Colton's entire class to wear one!  Colton beamed and my heart was beating with extra beats of pure joy.  

I've been more and more convinced that I am part of something bigger than myself.  I see proof of that every day.  Its in the emails I get from strangers, sharing their hearts with me.  The checks that fill my mailbox, generous ones, that leave me with my jaw dropping.  

When sweet "A" from Colton's class, who is mostly nonverbal, and has his own para, but loves Colton with all his heart, watches Colton throw his arms around me, and quickly rushes to the other side and wraps his arms around me smiling and looking up at me- I know he feels it too.  He could never articulate to us what was going on, just that even he, knew love when he felt it.  Mrs. Larson grabbed the camera and captured the moment and its one shared between her and I that we'll never forget.  She has already requested that "A" and Colton be in the same class again next year, for the third year in a row.  

Thank you Karla and the entire Swenson family!  We were so touched by your generosity!

Behind the scenes, making the meat Friday, for the spaghetti dinner on Sunday.  These are all the details I am largely being kept out of.  But thank you Curt for giving me a sneak peak.  I know everyone in this picture has been doing little else than "benefit work and planning" for the last month or so.  I can only imagine, the hours upon hours, and the sleepless nights spent planning and preparing.

Poor Curt, someone always gets stuck with the dishes, now don't they?  Thanks Kim, Sara, Curt, Amy and Jeff!

This photo came early today entitled "Five strong women; we are here for you!"  

And that they are.  Thank you Stacy, Katie, Suzanne, Tami, and Mary!

See what I mean?  This is way bigger than me.  

The very first book club book we read was The Middle Place, by Kelly Corrigan.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer and after just a few treatments was told her father had prostate and bladder cancer.  She weaves a poignant, funny, gripping tale of what it is like to both be battling cancer as you watch a parent fight their own battle with cancer.  

I promise, this video of a speech she has done, will inspire you, its worth the full 5 minutes.  

With all of you, all of this behind me, so much bigger than me, how can I not transcend?