My Mom and MS

Hi sweet blog readers.
I know that from time to time you see ways that you can give back here on my blog. I think it’s important for each of us to find a way, even if it’s a small way, to help others in need and to give back something and do some good in this world. I’m a BIG believer in that. On this little ol’ blog of mine I know that it’s mostly crafty inspiration, details about blog design stuff, photos of my kiddos and sometimes (although not a lot lately) scrapbook layouts & cards that I’ve created. I have chosen to keep this blog a positive, happy, crafty inspirational spot in the world wide web, but today I have something personal to share with you. My Mom has multiple sclerosis and has been dealing with it for going on about four years now. As you know, MS can be devastating. My Mom’s prognosis has been pretty good lately. She has some lesions on her brain and has to inject medicine into herself quite a bit to deal with the side effects of her MS. The MS is limiting her ability to function like she is used to and I can see how hard it is for her and it breaks my heart.

My heart also breaks for the many, many people who also have multiple sclerosis and their family members who watch their loved ones deal with such a horrible disease. That is why come April I am walking in the MS Walk here in Nashville for not only my Mom, but for the countless other people who are dealing with this disease. Sure walking is nothing spectacular and walking won’t cure the disease. Walking can’t rid the MS that has invaded my Mom’s body, but it’s doing something. It’s moving toward a goal. It’s helping to raise awareness and money for MS so that one day there will be a cure for it and other people’s Moms, Dads, children, brothers, sisters, etc. won’t have to go through it. It’s doing something.

And while I’m not the type to beg folks for money – when it comes to something that I believe in – something that my heart is connected to – there is no shame in my game and that is why I am asking you, sweet blog readers to help support my walk with a small donation. Believe me when I say that ANY amount – even a dollar is so very much appreciated and helps. I’m serious. It would mean so much to me. I have a goal to raise $500 and with your help I know I can get there. Even if every one of my blog followers donated one dollar – I would just about be at that goal and no matter what I raise – I know it will help. I’d love to go way beyond my goal though, heehee. ;)

I thought it would be great to do some giveaways too for every donation that is donated to support me on the MS walk in honor of my Mom. So, for every donation that is donated – your name will be entered to win:

• A custom blog design from Two Happy Mamas Blog Design Studio (for either you or someone you love). Retail value – $125
• A $25 gift certificate to A Million Little Things
• A $20 gift certificate to my sweet friend, Monika Wright’s Etsy store, I Love it All. 

And if you have anything that you’d like to donate for a prize – please click on the envelope on my sidebar and contact me. I would love to add more goodies that folks could win as they support me on this walk of mine. I know that you all don’t donate to win something, but it’s just my way of saying thank you for giving something, especially in this hard economic time.

The walk is April 9th so I will draw the winners of the prizes that first week of April so you have plenty of time to donate – although the sooner the better so that I can see how much I have to meet the goal I’ve set for myself.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you aren’t able to give right now, I totally understand. Just please pray for my Mom and all those dealing with MS. It means so much to me.

And I’ll end the post with this:

That’s me and my Mom in the photograph above. That photograph makes me smile. That’s the kind of Mom I want to be – the kind that doesn’t just catch you at the bottom of the slide – the kind that goes down the slide with you. I’m walking to make a difference, even if it is just a small one. I’m walking for my Mom.

Thank you. BIG hugs and much love to you all…

Click the below banner if you’d like to donate: