I know, call me CRAZY! Don’t commit me yet!!

I decided on a huge whim that I am NOT making my Christmas cards this year! I BOUGHT THEM!!

Before you pass out from the shock, keep reading.

So I was going though my emails, and I had one in there from the American Cancer Society.

This is what it read:

————————————————————————–

This year, do two good deeds at once by sending your holiday greetings in a card designed by the American Cancer Society, New England Division.We have six cards to choose from.All cards will say: In the spirit of the holiday season a contribution in your honor has been made to the American Cancer Society, and you get to choose the sentiment.There are no fees for printing, shipping, or processing, and 100% of your donation will help the American Cancer Society continue its programs of public education, patient support, lifesaving research, and advocacy for social policies that reduce the public’s cancer risk.

You should have your cards in hand within 5 to 7 days business days of placing your order.

View them now and place your order online.

—————————————————————-

How could I NOT do this?

Christmas time for me is always sentimental for me. I ALWAYS look at the photos from the Christmas right before Alexa got diagnosed with Leukemia. I get a huge wave of emotions this time of year. So much can change year to year.

This one in photo in particular, ALWAYS stands out to me.

alexa-christmas-05.jpg

Her long dark brown hair. So shiny and thick. You cannot tell by the photo but it was down to her waist. She looked so happy, and full of life. Christmas for Alexa always begins in July! She gets out the movies and starts with the carols! She’s so funny.

 I often wondered if that would be her last Christmas, once she got sick. I HATE those photos of her. It makes me really remember that you never know what may come from one year to the next. Who will be with you, who won’t. What can change in a single second.

I felt so vulnerable. Something I loved more than anything was threatened to be taken away by a horrific disease. There were too many scary times to count. So many times I planned her funeral in my head. Im not saying that to be morbid and negative, its just the raw truth of what you are faced with. I often would not let my mind wander, for the thoughts that would fill it were awful. Many tears flowed, and still do time to time. I don’t think I let myself deal with it head on. I couldn’t let it all in then. I still feel like it was one big BLUR. Two and a half years of going through the motions.

Then came the following year, Alexa and her now bald head, holding her gingerbread house. She was so proud of that house. Again full of life, happiness and the magic she once had. I was amazed at her, being a typical kid, after everything she had gone through, once again so happy.

alexa-gingerbread.jpg

That photo makes me happier that the one before. It is proof that God can answer prayers, and that research makes a difference. Too many other mommies lost their babies before me, so that research could later save mine. My baby is still here, but no one is promised tomorrow, NO ONE. When you come close to feeling that, it never leaves.

I cannot tell you how thankful “I” am personally for all the research that has been done over the past decade. I learned that had Alexa got sick just 10-12 years ago she would have most likely received a death sentence with her diagnosis! But with research she had a 96% Cure rate, and is currently in remission! The fear never leaves, but I truly believe she has beat this. I believe God has big plans for Alexa.

I thank God DAILY for that. There are no words to say what that gift means to me. So I decided I would support a cause I was affected by and believe in, and at the same time I make a small difference, and let go of the STRESS of making all my holiday cards!! Its the one thing I don’t enjoy about the holidays. I am relieving myself of that and the guilt this year!

Now don’t think I’m not going to make stuff for the holidays, I absolutely am! I have my new My Timeless Templates, and other fun ideas that will help with that. I just decided this was a nice thing to support, and gave me a fabulous excuse out of something that stresses me out every year, as I’m not big on mass production, and it will allow me more time to focus on HANDMADE stuff for everyone again!

I will also include a photo of all of us in there, like I normally do. I may not even go through the crazy hustle of the professional photo shoot! I want to keep it fun and natural. No crazy poses and waiting for 2 hours for our appointment. I want to take this season and be thankful, give back, and start new traditions.

So thanks for letting me share my liberation! I hope you check it out too.  I feel so good about it.

Also Alexa’s set– 100% of the proceeds support Pediatric Leukemia & Lymphoma Research! Sorry I had to toss that in there for those who may not know about it 😀

Well thanks again for reading. Tomorrow I have 3 more posts!

OK maybe I AM crazy! LOL!

Good night world 😀