The good news is that our fundraising was successful. Thanks to our supporters, we raised $2000 for the kids of St. Jude and another $1500 for the Shannon O'Hara Foundation. Well done, people.
The St. Jude walk was absolutely freezing, yet our crazy families still came out to walk with us. We did the best we could, but let's just say we might not have walked the whole 5K. The hot coffee and warm breakfast was too enticing...
Luckily, we got to warm up by heading to the hockey rink.
Our foundation fundraising efforts got a nice jump start with a $500 donation from the Century Girl's Hockey program. The continued support of the hockey community means the world to us.
Dan and I enjoyed our day at the rink on Saturday, catching up with old friends. Seeing Shannon's buddies playing varsity hockey was just as we imagined it - exciting and heartbreaking at the same time.
But every conversation we had with one of Shannon's friends made us smile. They are beautiful, funny young women now, and maybe it allows us to imagine what Shannon might have been like at this age. We are forever connected to those girls and we must just do our best to enjoy watching them grow, not letting our minds wander too often to the what if...
We wrapped up the weekend with book sales at St. John's during the Sunday masses. Another great show of support from our church community and over two dozen people purchased Determined to Matter.
We continue to share Shannon's story and hopefully inspire others to live each day with purpose and meaning. I know that sounds kind of cheesy, but I guess I feel our experience affords us the right to say it out loud.
It's Thanksgiving week. Time to practice gratitude...
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| Emily, Erin, & Laurynn - St. Jude Walk |
