Every once in a while it hits me hard that we have a daughter who may some day not be able to see the beauty of life that surrounds her. Like when we go into a dim movie theater and she stops dead in her tracks because she cannot see anything. Or when she trips over a step that is so obvious to all of us but her. Or the way her eyes look when the sky darkens up and she realizes she can't see and reaches out for one of us to hold her hand. It's as if she looks right through us.
It's times like that that I offer up my oft-repeated silent, fervent, continual prayer for her: "please help come up with some research that will help her."
Now, I know that she will be ok if she loses her vision. I know that many people cope with vision loss and are still able to lead wonderful lives. I know Lucy's feisty personality will help her tough out anything she comes up against.
But oh, how I want to stand up and fight against what all the facts tell us is inevitable.
That's why we are so glad to be in cahoots with the Foundation Fighting Blindness. They are doing all kinds of research that continues to keep us hoping. And we want to help them any way we can so that they can in turn help Lucy and so many thousands of others who suffer from vision loss.
It feels good to be part of a purpose. A cause for good. That's why I'm excited that we are gearing up for our second annual Vision Walk a week from tomorrow. (To see the report on last year's walk click here.) We have been a little bit late on the draw but we are really working on gathering up some funding this week. My mom and I have already donated portions of our proceeds from our book A Mother's Book of Secrets, (we give all the royalties to this and other avenues to help fight blindness). We hope that possibly others will join us in the cause. The kids are doing some extra things this next week to earn their own money to contribute...you'll probably see them running around in their "I Love Lucy" t-shirts doing lemonade stands or extra chores. We are encouraging them to do their part to help their little sister.
To see more information, join our "I Love Lucy Team," or to make a donation click here.
This week Elle was asked to write a paper on the topic of her choice for school. She informed me last night that she decided to write it about Lucy. I thought it was pretty fitting as we have the Vision Walk coming up so I asked for her permission to post it. She got a few of the details a little mixed up in parts, (and know that we really aren't that crazy on Sundays), but it pretty much epitomizes the love these guys have for their sister and how this whole thing has affected them.
Oh man I'm so thankful for the children we get to share Lucy with. And Elle, sometimes I'm with you on those tears feeling like "prisoners breaking out from jail." You are one eloquent girl!
Thank you, thank you to all those out there who pray for Lucy and love her from afar. We feel your love and we appreciate you more than we can ever really express.
Love, Shawni
p.s. If anyone wants to post our vision walk link on their own blogs or facebook to help us create awareness, please feel free! Click here for the link. We'll take any help we can get to help spread the word.Labels: I Love Lucy Project
Oh man I'm so thankful for the children we get to share Lucy with. And Elle, sometimes I'm with you on those tears feeling like "prisoners breaking out from jail." You are one eloquent girl!