Dear Joe,

Happy Birthday Sweetie Pea.
Love you lots, Miss you tons.  Mom

T-Minus Two Days,

December 19th and two days from now will be Joe's birthday.  He would be have been 23 and God knows what he would be doing now.  But I miss him and always wonder what could of , should of have been.  A friend asked the other day how I was doing.  No, I cannot say I am doing well with his birthday and the holidays so close together, but I replied I am keeping myself busy.

But really what I have done is found a cause bigger than me and my grief.  Joedance Film Festival has filled a void, given me a reason to get up in the morning, put a positive foot forward and engage with so many talented people, who by the way never knew Joe, but believe in the cause. We never had control over Joe's cancer, but we have control of how we remember him and raise awareness of rare pediatric cancers.

So yes I have kept busy but this year with a purpose and I thank everyone who has been such support to our family these past years until we found our way.

Leah

The box comes every year just about the same time in December.  It is from Leah Moir my dear, sweet  friend who lives in Knoxville and ironically the first friend I met when we moved there.  And every year it is three ornaments and have never been the same ones the past three years.  The first set was stars, then crystal crosses and this year silver bells.  In the box is always a note of how she searches until she finds just the right ones.

After Joe, Tony and David's ornaments are hung I take my time to put each one on the tree.  Just as she searches for the right ones in remembrance of Joe and our family I hang them with the same feeling.  And long after Tony and David are gone on to their own homes our tree will be filled with Joe's and Leah's ornaments.

Leah's jester of love reminds me how important friends and family are, not just during the Christmas season, but all year long.  Thank you Leah for your beautiful gift every year.  

I Never Thought

When we started Joedance three years ago I never thought I would be in the office talking to one of the largest  food producers in the country asking for a donation for Joedance.  Who knew that just two blocks from our home was a flour milling plant that produces enough flour to support local and national businesses.  Most of the wheat arrives every day from North and South Carolina and is distributed to local bakeries, Lance, Dunkin Donuts and local grocery stores.  Who knew that I would meet Kevin Caudle, a Chemical Engineer fascinated by the food industry and wants to be a good neighbor to the 4th Ward neighborhood.

Who knew that twenty-four hours after our meeting Kevin and his company ADM would sign on to be our Presenting Sponsor.  Who knew that this would all happen in memory of Joe and in support of our family that has struggled with his loss as we work to raise awareness of rare and complex cancers.

Well, I never thought so many would want to be a part of Joedance and I still ask who knew we would be where we are today?