That's Just Mean

Rant begin.

So while we are chugging along with our happy PLAN A; the world around us seems to be falling apart with hatred. It's been a sad week and all of our hearts have been heavy. I wholeheartedly believe that God has PLAN A all mapped out. He has his reasons for the storms that come but still...some days are harder than others. On some days, PLAN A seemingly sucks.

Boston Marathon Bombing. Ricin Letters. Texas Plant Explosion.

And all we can do is pray.
Pray. Pray. And Pray More!

But when the mean is on our own street...we can do something. When bad behavior strikes...we need to strike back. I plead with you, my friends...watch your children. Communicate with them. Watch their friends. Don't sit back and let things slide.

Example: My children came to me and told me that a kid down the street (who is 9 years old) had called another friend (a 10 year old girl) fat and that he told her that she needed to go on the biggest loser. My kids were uncomfortable about it and told me because they knew it was wrong and mean. (Go kiddos!)

Well, I waited for that kid at the bus stop today and had a little chat with him. It went something like this:

"Is it true that you called _______ fat and said she should go on the biggest loser?"
- Yes. But I thought I was just being funny.
"Well it wasn't funny at all. It was mean. And I have no tolerance for mean around here." (Meaning on MY street!)
- Well, she fell on me and...it was just...
"It doesn't matter. There are no excuses. How would you feel if someone made fun of the way you looked or the way you acted? How would that make you feel?
- Angry. And sad.
"That's how you made her feel. And Jack and McKenna didn't like being around it and they told me because they didn't know what to do."
- Oh
"Do you watch tv?"
- Some.
"Watch the news sometime. There are a lot of mean and hateful people in this world. I don't think you really want to be one of them. Do you?"
- No. It was wrong. Can I tell her I'm sorry?
"She doesn't live here. So, what should you do?"
- I can write her a letter.
"That's a good idea. And no more mean. Got it?
- Yes.

An apology letter was delivered to our door within a half hour. And that little girl got the apology she deserved.

Stop the mean while it's young. Don't let it harvest. Don't be afraid that some other parent is gonna call you out for teaching their kid some darn manners. Consciously parent, teach kindness and be a positive example so that things like the Boston bombing and crazy Ricin postal deliveries have a decreased chance of happening in the first place.

Rant complete.

Keep Calm and Carry On with Plan A

This year, our brownie troop chose For 3 Sisters as their cookie charity. We donated almost 100 boxes to the charity that has been such a godsend to me. It was very personal and so exciting that we could give back.

And today was the big day to present the cookies to the organization. The Pink Fireman was set to visit the girls and we were going to deliver all the cookies. We had a pink ribbon cake, we made cards and we set-up a table of items from my 3-Day Walk to share with the girls. The Pink Fireman was coming and we were all so excited.

Life happens.

And sadly, death happens.

One of our breast cancer warriors lost her battle this week and today she was laid to rest. She was 29 years old. She was a brave young woman and a known face of advocacy for the Susan G. Komen cause. She had many friends and supporters...one of them being the Pink Fireman. So, at the last minute, The Pink Fireman couldn't make it to our event. He was at our dear warrior's funeral; he and his pink angel wings were needed somewhere else.

So what do you do with 20 girls and 10 parents...
All waiting for the Pink Fireman? 

Look to Plan B? 

Well y'all know how I feel about Plan B.

So I spoke to the girls. I shared my story of briefly meeting the Pink Fireman at the 2011 3-Day Walk. I shared how I called on him a year later when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I shared how amazing For 3 Sisters has been for me - the resources, love and support they have provided. I answered questions about breast cancer and then I thanked the girls for their hard work in selling cookies and donating them to this fantastic organization that means so much to me. I also asked them to remind their moms to always go to their doctors and to keep healthy. And when they grow up, they need to do the same. Thankfully, I have the gift of gab and it all seemed to go okay.

Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D52rAQMH_Q

Then I told them the news...that The Pink Fireman had an emergency and wasn't going to make it to our event. I told them that he was with a family of someone with breast cancer and they needed him more than we did today. 

I then reminded the girls that when I found out on October 18, 2012 that I had breast cancer; I wasn't prepared. It wasn't something that me or my family had planned on. And, that's how life works. We can try to plan and plan and plan but sometimes things just don't go the way we expect. And rather than trying to control it, we have to accept it...and celebrate life no matter what path it leads us on. So I asked the girls to celebrate - to celebrate their accomplishments and have a great party anyway. So, they ate the pink ribbon cake and had chocolate covered strawberries and finished their cards for the Pink Fireman.

And no one was sad because we chose to be happy.

No one except the Pink Fireman, who felt terrible.  

No need, my friend.

You see, The Pink Fireman might be an amazingly compassionate icon of the breast cancer community but he's also just a guy. His name is Marshall Moneymaker. He lost his 3 sisters to breast cancer - a horrific situation - and yet he spends every day working to educate women on early detection. He makes his rounds celebrating survivors, visiting with warriors and honoring those that lost the battle. He extends himself to the people that need him and he's really good at it. But he's still just a guy...not superman (although we think so!)...and he can't be in two places at once. And it's all okay because today we tried to do what he does everyday.

Make the most of the unexpected.

Make it work for the good.

Teach a life lesson.

You know why? 

Because there's no "Plan B."

Today WAS "Plan A."

God doesn't make mistakes. 

I got in the car and cried after it was all said and done. Not because it didn't go as planned...but because I have finally learned to make the best of things in a way I couldn't before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The old Holly would have had a total panic attack. I would have been a mess.

Cancer sucks...but life doesn't. 

And, I thank God every day that cancer taught me to 
Accept Plan A and celebrate it.
What's the point of "Keep Calm" if we don't?

One of THOSE Days

Our 1st Field Hockey scrimmage was fantastic - my Fierce Fireballs played their hearts out and my very own McKenna scored the first goal of the season!

Jack's football team won by a landslide (he personally had 4 touchdowns including a pick-six.)

I got my nails done.

The kids played with their friends outside in the warm sun.

My husband went to Sam's Club and stocked our pantry, fridge and freezers and then made us all a fantastic dinner.

Both kids had a friend over for a sleepover. We all watched a great movie together and ate some popcorn.

All the kids went right to sleep and now we are nestled in too.

Yes. Today was one of THOSE days...the kind of day that I drop to my knees and thank God for being so incredibly blessed.