"Love doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints"

August has always been a bittersweet month for me. As a kid, I was so happy for August to arrive because it meant my birthday was coming (August 26). But at the same time, my excitement was tempered by the fact that school would be starting very soon. Keep in mind, when I was in school growing up, we always started after Labor Day. Now, knowing school is around the corner doesn’t bother me quite as much. I love the fall, and everything that goes with it. It’s a time when it gets cooler, while the colors about us grow warmer.

As we approach those cooler days (hard to fathom on a day like today!), I consider the impact of family and friends in our lives. We have had a pretty rough year emotionally due to a death in the family, and we owe so much to the incredibly caring and loving support system in our lives. This same support system has also been wonderful with us since Davis’s diagnosis. We know how difficult it can be to donate time and time again, and in knowing this, we are eternally grateful for so many sacrifices that are made. Plus, for so many who cannot donate financially, their love, support, and prayers have been priceless.

We teach our two boys the importance of kindness to others, of volunteering, of helping others more that they help you. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, it is hard to argue with the Golden Rule. To this day, the Golden Rule is such a guiding principle to me! So many life lessons can be taught and learned through experiencing this. And some wonderful conversations occur with the boys that demonstrate that they are growing into caring, empathetic people. And we are all huggers, so watch out!

The JDRF One Walk is now 86 days away, and we are very busy planning and plotting creative ways to offset our team fundraising goals. We hate going back to the proverbial well year after year (although no one has really complained that much!), so we appreciate when our crazy schemes are received so well. We have the Walk, and Cabaret Night in early 2017 (potentially changing locations!!), and some other fun/goofy ideas to help us stay motivated. I have been in touch with a graphic designer about ideas for a new logo, so I am hopeful this will be the year we can unveil it!
We would love if you joined our Army this year, as a walker (we have a big team every year and it is lots of fun!), a donor (financial or Cabaret Night auction item), as a behind-the-scenes planner (just let me know!), or just as a friend. The summer is closing quickly, but the excitement is really just upon us. Join us and make it even more exciting!

“We push away what we can never understand. We push away the unimaginable”- Angelica Schuyler, It's Quiet Uptown, Hamilton – An American Musical