Faith in Humanity

Last night I went to a fundraiser for my cousin's children to help replenish the trust fund that helps pay for the kid's everyday needs. Overall it was a great night - not sure yet of the total amount raised but that doesn't even matter. If we only raised $100 is was more than they had yesterday, right? The people that attended were so awesome and they bid on items and laid their money down for these kids. I had donations given to me at work and the guys that work in the warehouse at my husband's work really went over and beyond what we expected in donations and buying raffle tickets to the event. Times like these really restore my faith in mankind - points out that although life isn't perfect - there ARE good people out there, willing to give what little they might have to help others in need.

My little boy was sick with strep and I was bummed that maybe we would have to stay home for fear of infecting others - but my good friends A and L really pulled thru for me and came over to stay with him so that my husband and I could still attend the event and be with my family. I was close to tears at their offer and the fact that they realized how important it was for me to be there and what it meant to me. A girl could not ask for a better group of friends!

The kids were there for a while at the start of the night, then left about half way through the event because it was way past bedtime. But it was almost magical the way the little girls were twirling around the dance floor in their fancy dresses and her son was running around and smiling up a storm. Even the 13 year old, who has gotten quite moody as 13 year old girls often do at this age, was smiling and laughing and made a point to greet everyone when they came in and said "Thank you for coming".

I really missed my cousin last night. I think it's finally hitting me that she's gone. She's gone and never coming back. She'll never see her children smile or hear them laugh again. But my aunt (her Mom) swears that she is watching them and talks quite often of the strange things that happen around the house. She swears that it's my cousin and 10 year old Chelsea watching from up above and seeing how great the kids are doing - despite what they have been through. They are not only surviving but flourishing day by day.

Yes - last night I had a revelation - I started to grieve for my cousin and her daughter that were taken so tragically from us last year and had a little bit of hope restored to my soul in the process.

It was a very, very good night.