We are ready for the party! Last night we finished Fallon's Harlequin costume and had a little dress rehearsal. She really had to twist my arm to get me involved in this one. I did the black diamond eyes. She's not sure. What do you think?
More photos after. Thanks to all of you who participated in the comments on the post below. Means alot to me. *blows kisses*
We are ready for the party! Last night we finished Fallon's Harlequin costume and had a little dress rehearsal. She really had to twist my arm to get me involved in this one. I did the black diamond eyes. She's not sure. What do you think?
More photos after. Thanks to all of you who participated in the comments on the post below. Means alot to me. *blows kisses*
Marietta sent me a copy of the e-newsletter from the U of M Hospital!!! And she forwarded these photos too. *high five* to everyone!
And a reminder if you are new to the *pink wink* story you can read it in chronological order by clicking on the link, see right.
*700* for 7B, squeeee!
Marietta sent me a copy of the e-newsletter from the U of M Hospital!!! And she forwarded these photos too. *high five* to everyone!
And a reminder if you are new to the *pink wink* story you can read it in chronological order by clicking on the link, see right.
*700* for 7B, squeeee!
it has been reported that the socks have arrived and will be presented this afternoon. stay tuned…
EDIT: rather than make a new post, I am editing this one because I want you to be able to click on "comments" and read the message left by Angie, one of our favorite nurses from 7B. So yesterday afternoon I got to be a fly-on-the-wall (by way of a speaker phone) while Marietta, the nurse manager on 7B gathered two shifts of nurses and aides, therapists (OT and RT) and some other special people, including Shannon's doctor. On the table were only *65* pairs of socks. Marietta read the letter I had composed (see below). Very cool to hear my words come through someone else's mouth. At the key moment, the remaining 600-and-something socks were brought in as Marietta continued to explain the project. Wonderful to hear that Angie was there, as well as other favorite caregivers. For a few minutes yesterday there were people having thoughts about my sister. For a few minutes, before the hustle and bustle of starting a shift (or leaving one), there were people who got the group wink, the thanks, the validation that the call they have answered is of great value, and that they matter.
Did you feel it? Did you feel that goosebump moment? Wow! We really did it. *high five* XOXO
it has been reported that the socks have arrived and will be presented this afternoon. stay tuned…
EDIT: rather than make a new post, I am editing this one because I want you to be able to click on "comments" and read the message left by Angie, one of our favorite nurses from 7B. So yesterday afternoon I got to be a fly-on-the-wall (by way of a speaker phone) while Marietta, the nurse manager on 7B gathered two shifts of nurses and aides, therapists (OT and RT) and some other special people, including Shannon's doctor. On the table were only *65* pairs of socks. Marietta read the letter I had composed (see below). Very cool to hear my words come through someone else's mouth. At the key moment, the remaining 600-and-something socks were brought in as Marietta continued to explain the project. Wonderful to hear that Angie was there, as well as other favorite caregivers. For a few minutes yesterday there were people having thoughts about my sister. For a few minutes, before the hustle and bustle of starting a shift (or leaving one), there were people who got the group wink, the thanks, the validation that the call they have answered is of great value, and that they matter.
Did you feel it? Did you feel that goosebump moment? Wow! We really did it. *high five* XOXO
The final pink arrivals which include a pair knitted just for me:
Dear friends,
Who knew that my request, on July 29th, for collecting 65 pairs of pink socks would end with 700? It isn't the end, it's only the beginning. Several angels are at work on the other end as they are in on the surprise and are planning to make a celebration for the Pink Wink arrival. You know I will keep you posted! One of the last emails I got from my sister was in May when she wrote to me about the blog comments you left for her, sending your positive vibes. She enjoyed all the well wishes and said they were definite day brighteners. Imagine what she would say to this – 700 socks sent in her honor.
I am without words to describe what this has meant to me. I recognize that it was a loving effort to participate in this. You shopped for socks, came home and packaged them, then went back out to post them. Many envelopes were winks themselves – decorated with pink paint or ink and roses and x's & o's and hearts and flourishes and messages. Some were filled with pink wrappings and ribbons. Some came with beautiful cards or lovely gift offerings. Others came in a plain envelope with a quick note and some were simply anonymous – no return address at all. There were boxes containing more than a dozen pairs, and envelopes filled with a single pair. Some socks were dropped off at my home and others were delivered from overseas. No matter how the socks arrived I felt the love energy tucked inside. I get it that by sending me socks you are offering your support and sympathy. I get it that by sending socks you help me honor the memory of Shannon. I get it that you can't imagine loss, or have experienced a loss of your own. I get it that you love your sister, or your sibling, or your best-friend-who-is-practically-a-sister. I get it that you may know someone with Cystic Fibrosis. I get it that you are a caregiver, or know a caregiver, or believe that acknowledging caregivers is important. I get it that it just feels good to join in something that is about sharing gratitude. I get it that the impulse to be with me on this may have no specific definition. I feel the love, and as I said before: you make grief endurable.
There is more to tell, more to share, and more to celebrate as the story continues to unfold. For now, let me offer my humble thanks. Posting the boxes felt good, although a little sad as it's been a daily task for me to attend to this project. It began as an idea to pay-it-forward to my sister's caregivers and then it became bigger but offered a distraction to keep my mind occupied. I reflect on the whole thing now and see that it was so comforting to share my grief. By dividing it, it slowly diminishes.
I know you are with me. SHE is with me. You have helped me say that she mattered. I will never forget this. NEVER. Thank you. THANK YOU.
xoxo, Michelle
The final pink arrivals which include a pair knitted just for me:
Dear friends,
Who knew that my request, on July 29th, for collecting 65 pairs of pink socks would end with 700? It isn't the end, it's only the beginning. Several angels are at work on the other end as they are in on the surprise and are planning to make a celebration for the Pink Wink arrival. You know I will keep you posted! One of the last emails I got from my sister was in May when she wrote to me about the blog comments you left for her, sending your positive vibes. She enjoyed all the well wishes and said they were definite day brighteners. Imagine what she would say to this – 700 socks sent in her honor.
I am without words to describe what this has meant to me. I recognize that it was a loving effort to participate in this. You shopped for socks, came home and packaged them, then went back out to post them. Many envelopes were winks themselves – decorated with pink paint or ink and roses and x's & o's and hearts and flourishes and messages. Some were filled with pink wrappings and ribbons. Some came with beautiful cards or lovely gift offerings. Others came in a plain envelope with a quick note and some were simply anonymous – no return address at all. There were boxes containing more than a dozen pairs, and envelopes filled with a single pair. Some socks were dropped off at my home and others were delivered from overseas. No matter how the socks arrived I felt the love energy tucked inside. I get it that by sending me socks you are offering your support and sympathy. I get it that by sending socks you help me honor the memory of Shannon. I get it that you can't imagine loss, or have experienced a loss of your own. I get it that you love your sister, or your sibling, or your best-friend-who-is-practically-a-sister. I get it that you may know someone with Cystic Fibrosis. I get it that you are a caregiver, or know a caregiver, or believe that acknowledging caregivers is important. I get it that it just feels good to join in something that is about sharing gratitude. I get it that the impulse to be with me on this may have no specific definition. I feel the love, and as I said before: you make grief endurable.
There is more to tell, more to share, and more to celebrate as the story continues to unfold. For now, let me offer my humble thanks. Posting the boxes felt good, although a little sad as it's been a daily task for me to attend to this project. It began as an idea to pay-it-forward to my sister's caregivers and then it became bigger but offered a distraction to keep my mind occupied. I reflect on the whole thing now and see that it was so comforting to share my grief. By dividing it, it slowly diminishes.
I know you are with me. SHE is with me. You have helped me say that she mattered. I will never forget this. NEVER. Thank you. THANK YOU.
xoxo, Michelle
I had to really pack them in and squish down so the covers would fit – 690 pairs! *high fives* all around. To my friends, to my neighbors, to my online buddies and acquaintances from near and far, and to those of I've never even exchanged a word with – written or spoken, THANK YOU. I am finishing up the letter that will accompany each bin, then they are hitting the road. The last few that came in….
The gathering of these socks has been such an experience. There is a pink glow where there was once a dark hole. I will continue to write about the winks and all the ripple effects….but now it's time to launch….to spread the love.
The kids started school today. Amazing how they have grown (in August, Fallon turned 13 and Peter turned 18 – a senior!) Amazing that the summer season is over (but not the hot weather!) Amazing that we can be 3/4 of the way through the year and yet still feel like we can start anew. A fresh start for the teachers, students, and parents. New notebooks, fresh pencils, cool folders and cooler shoes.
I'm ready for something new. I'm ready to look forward. I'm ready to say farewell to these pink socks and let the love energy they are wrapped in be released. Deep breath…..
I had to really pack them in and squish down so the covers would fit – 690 pairs! *high fives* all around. To my friends, to my neighbors, to my online buddies and acquaintances from near and far, and to those of I've never even exchanged a word with – written or spoken, THANK YOU. I am finishing up the letter that will accompany each bin, then they are hitting the road. The last few that came in….
The gathering of these socks has been such an experience. There is a pink glow where there was once a dark hole. I will continue to write about the winks and all the ripple effects….but now it's time to launch….to spread the love.
The kids started school today. Amazing how they have grown (in August, Fallon turned 13 and Peter turned 18 – a senior!) Amazing that the summer season is over (but not the hot weather!) Amazing that we can be 3/4 of the way through the year and yet still feel like we can start anew. A fresh start for the teachers, students, and parents. New notebooks, fresh pencils, cool folders and cooler shoes.
I'm ready for something new. I'm ready to look forward. I'm ready to say farewell to these pink socks and let the love energy they are wrapped in be released. Deep breath…..