I got to be party to pure, absolute joy this weekend. I have seen such displays on television after a big win in sports or gameshows. This time, it was my little girl who celebrated. After so many losses in the past six months, it was a much needed win.
As a parent, one of the worst things about cancer is being totally helpless. We are forced to sit and watch as one thing after another is taken away from our little girl. Ballet, plays, school, vacations, little things and big things are plucked away as she lays in bed.
Wonderful organizations are out there to give back to these kids. Groups such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation come beside them to give them something to look forward to during their treatment. A very introspective child, Kylie debated long and hard over her wish, finally deciding she wanted to see Aladdin on Broadway.
A few weeks ago, Kylie was asked to be the honored child at Make-a-Wish Georgia’s annual fund-raising Wish Gala. The chairperson of the event took her on a shopping spree for a gown. This day of shopping was unlike any that my girls have been on – especially Kylie. As a fourth child, hand-me-downs are the rule of thumb. If it isn’t obscenely high or dragging the ground, it fits.
Not this time. She was treated like a princess. After a six month hiatus, I saw her old friend, “excitement” start to creep back into her life.
The big night came. We all got dressed up for the Gala.
She knew she was going to sing with her sister. She knew I was going to speak. She thought of herself as the entertainment and the face of wish-children for the evening. What she didn’t know was that Make-a-Wish had planned a big surprise for her. They had a video from her favorite Broadway performers who granted her wish to go to see Aladdin. Here is her reaction:
Priceless. Pure Joy.
After so many months of seeing her disappointed, I can’t look at that video without tears.
You might be wondering if I embarrassed myself and my family in front of the trendier set. I believe the answer is no. With a stern admonition from the start, I spent the evening minding everything I did and said carefully. I paused three seconds before any word escaped my lips. I didn’t spill or break anything. My online tux-buying escapade was made unnecessary by a friend exactly my size who owns a tuxedo. I did not step on anyone’s dress or trip on my way to the stage. I didn’t try to fit in by discussing the beach chalet I own in Vermont.
It was a lovely evening. Kylie was the star…. And she deserves it.
Filed under:
Dad stuff 
Here’s something new that came in last week. I did a spread for Chirp magazine’s June 2014 issue, entitled, “Soccer In New Zealand”. It depicts a youth soccer tournament held in New Zealand called “Jambo”. I had a lot of fun putting this together, from depicting flags and soccer players from various countries. It has various puzzles to play, including finding things in the picture, as well as spotting balls that are NOT used in soccer. Off to the far bottom right are a few little informational facts about New Zealand. After drawing this, I hope to someday visit the country myself!
Here's something new that came in last week. I did a spread for Chirp magazine's June 2014 issue, entitled, "Soccer In New Zealand". It depicts a youth soccer tournament held in New Zealand called "Jambo". I had a lot of fun putting this together, from depicting flags and soccer players from various countries. It has various puzzles to play, including finding things in the picture, as well as spotting balls that are NOT used in soccer. Off to the far bottom right are a few little informational facts about New Zealand. After drawing this, I hope to someday visit the country myself!
It might seem odd that a picture book that repeats just one word is an Honor Book for this year's Geisel Award. Yet
Ball offers beginning readers much more than the opportunity to really, really learn how to decode the word
ball. It tells a fantastic story almost entirely in pictures. The long-snouted, rotund mutt--who could come straight from a
New Yorker comic--is obsessed with his red ball. From the moment his redhead owner awakes he is after her to throw his toy, which she enthusiastically does--until it's time for her to leave for school. Dog then spends the agonizing hours until her return trying to get the other members of the household (a blissed-out yoga mom, a drooling infant, and the family cat) to play ball without success. Finally Dog stumbles into a restless sleep and dreams of--what else--chasing his ball. The dream sequence is sidesplittingly funny, especially the spread that leads him down a toilet and through a labyrinth of pipes. First-time author/illustrator does a bang-up job of creating a humorous homage to dogs and their love of balls.
Ball by Mary Sullivan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 40 pages
Published: 2013
and so today baseball season officially begins! yay!
i "heart" baseball :)
(PERSONALIZED) PRINTS CAN BE FOUND HERE:
so, i say on this first official day of baseball...BATTER UP!!!
Mister Crabby and his pals hanging around on the beach. Digital illustration created a few years ago for Pearson Math.Jenny B Harris
This is my friend's Italian Greyhound, Tay. (Mateo) She had this red ball that she loved more than anything else. When it became nothing but a flattened piece of rubber it became a choking hazard and had to be taken away. Do you think any of us could come up with a ball even close to the specialness of that one? We never did. Luckily a move to a new home took her mind off the ball and her one-toy obsession was a thing of the past.
I chose her as my Animal Wednesday model today because of the way that ball is stuffed in her mouth, reminding me of all the people who'll be overindulging tomorrow! I'll also be having Thanksgiving at her house trying to avoid her big, brown pleading eyes. No Tay, go lie down. I may have to tell her to go find 'red ball' so we can eat in peace :)
HAW to all of you, and blessings to my friends who will be celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow!
Beijing update: Team Great Britain bag a bronze medal in the equestrian onanisme event.
Ink and watercolour 12.5cm x 17.5cm
So happy to see this! I’ve wondered (and prayed) how your baby is doing. You have a beautiful family and your girls have your smile. Enjoy them :)
I’m with you 100% – wondrous! And thank you so much for sharing this beautiful evening (pass the tissues please)
Just wonderful Mark. I am so happy for you, Kylie and your family. This video brings tears to the eyes and your girls, and wife are so beautiful. Congratulations happy dad. :-)
Her beautiful smile and reaction brought tears to my eyes. So happy for her.
Ok this makes me tear up…what a wonderful blessing for your baby…and the rest of you.