Charlotte's Journey

 This little light in the world is 8 today. As I glanced at her very first picture in our arms, and her very first birthday pictures, I was reminded of all the hopes we held in our hearts for our baby Charlotte. We could never know the road her life would take us back then of course, but those hopes still remain fierce and strong and POSSIBLE. Thank you God for gifting us this special soul to raise and to love. She continues to make every day of our lives more richer, more meaningful, and more joyful. I know you all celebrate every single milestone with us and thank you for loving our Charlotte. Happy birthday sweet girl! We love you so

If you ask a child “What would you like to be one day?” You might expect them to answer with anything other then “An adult.” But that’s the reality of 1 in every 285 children who will be diagnosed with cancer before their 20th birthday (ACCO.org stats) Will you help us, village? It seems rare and far removed, until it isn’t.  Have I ever shared that one of my best childhood friends, whom I grew up with throughout middle and high school AND roomed with for a year at Virginia Tech had a son who lost his battle with Stage IV Neuroblastoma few years before Charlotte was diagnosed with the same disease? In fact, one of the reasons I went into a physical state of shock when Charlotte’s official diagnosis returned was because I knew that word, Neuroblastoma. I knew what it was because I watched Trevor fight Neuroblastoma through his own carepage that his family would update. And I knew he fought so hard but gained his angel wings anyway. I literally hit the floor in shock and anguish when the