Urban Ava

TIPP CITY, OHIO - This beautiful sassy little thing is my friend, Ava. Urban Ava, to be specific. Her mama opened this darling little shop downtown and named it after her – who can blame her, she’s totally irresistible. I had the honor of meeting Ava’s mama, Kelley, a few years ago at a Vera Bradley event and we were immediately friends. She is such a compassionate and kind lady, and has really embraced this cause as her own. It’s hard for me to listen to her as she talks about it; she’s so moving it makes me cry. In her restaurant today, I had the honor of meeting many wonderful breast cancer warriors (including one wonderful gentleman, he’ll get his own post later) AND got to have a fun snack with my sweet Ava as well. Thank you, Kelley, for caring so much about those of us fighting this battle. I highly recommend you all visit Urban Ava’s store the next time you find yourself in Tipp City!

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Mother's Day

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS - That’s where I was born, where I technically first met my momma. I got to know her every day thereafter, in little lifetime increments that are now dusty fragments in my memories. I remember when I was very sick once as a child and she sat with me for hours and stroked my hair and sang very softly to me. I remember her voice as she would gently reprimand us; in German, so the guests wouldn’t know that we had done something wrong. I remember how she would never – NEVER – say a harsh word about anyone and would make sure that no one was hungry or wanting in her presence. We never had much, but we were taught to share it all. Her heart was meant to help others, as that is what the Lord told her to do. And so she did, until the day she died. She was taken from us so very early; 42 years on this earth is not nearly enough time. I miss you, momma, every single day. Not just the big holidays where most people think you grieve the most, but on days like Tuesdays. As I put the kids in the bath and wish you were here to see their sweet faces and their eyes that look so much like yours. To all of you girls out there, those who might be mommas someday and to those who might not; take care of yourselves. Enjoy each moment, savor every experience and be sure to tell the ones you love exactly how much you love them every single day. If you feel so inclined this most special of holidays, please make a small donation to help fight the disease that has taken so many mommas.

Clocks and Jelly

WOOSTER, OHIO - So I pulled into Wooster late in the evening. Ok, it wasn’t even Wooster, it was Smithville, a suburb of Wooster. Or is it the other way around, I don’t know. Anyway, it was dark so I couldn’t see anything and therefore had no expectations of what might be out there. For this event, I was blessed enough to have my entire family join me – a truly rare thing, indeed. We all woke up to find that we were in this beautiful bucolic setting with rolling hills, cows and horses. We drove over to Buchanan Place, a Vera Bradley retail shop for the event. It is worth the drive, my friends, to visit this special place, I strongly recommend you see it if you can. It was held in the Barn next door (yes, barn) and what a fun morning! They had a silent auction that featured clocks (thank you, Wooster Clock) and a GIANT jelly basket (thank you, Smuckers) and many other items all donated for this good cause. My favorite part was that there were so many little children there; babies to teens. It’s really all about them, don’t you think? We want to rid the world of this disease before they face it themselves. A big thank you to Debra and Laurie for working so hard on this great party. Saving lives is fun stuff, isn’t it, ladies? :)