Well of Kindness {31 for 21}

My brother wrote a moving piece about having a niece with Ds.  In it, he talked about humanity's Deep Well of Kindness.  I have been witness to this particular Well on many occasions since Reese's birth, but think the events of the last few months take the cake.

The Step Up For Down Syndrome Walk was this past weekend.  The process of registering & donating for this event began months ago.  Since this was the first year of putting together a team, I didn't really know what to expect.  The website asked you to set a goal for the amount of money you hoped to raise.  I thought about that number a lot & sort of cringed when I asked Ben if he thought $2000 was too lofty.  He sort of mulled it over and finally said, "well, a true goal shouldn't be easily attainable," so $2000 it was.  Boy, did I underestimate the Deep Well of Kindness within my friends & family.

We surpassed our $2000 goal in weeks.  I was overwhelmed, actually shocked by the generosity of others.  We received donations from everywhere.  From high school friends I hadn't talked to in years, from Chicago pals who'd been following Reese's story on our blog, from friends of friends who'd never met our girl but still cared for her well-being and from complete strangers who I guess just felt compelled to help because they are good & kind people.

I thought about upping our goal but didn't want to appear greedy.  Then we were surprised by another act inspired by the Deep Well of Kindness.  My longtime friend, coworker & Sporting KC fan got two autographed items donated to Reese's cause (all unbeknownst to me).  She & her equally awesome boyfriend suggested raffling the items & donating the money to Reese's Step Up fund.  Our fundraising total at the time was $4000-something so we decided to shoot for a goal of $5000.  I announced the raffle on Facebook & we surpassed the new goal within a few hours.  Of course I was overwhelmed again & more tears were shed but I wasn't nearly as shocked.  I had already experienced the Deep Well of Kindness & knew anything was possible when you combine a good cause with good people.

Reese getting some love from my amazing friend, Dana

The official fundraising deadline was last Saturday.  At that time we had raised over $6600.  I was amazed.  And proud.  And thoroughly indebted to each & every one of you who supported our girl.  Imagine my surprise when I checked the website a few days later to see that number continuing to rise.  Apparently deadlines don't mean a thing to my friends & family & complete strangers - they give just to give.

Meet Lyllian, a busted knee didn't slow her down.  I should mention Lyllian & her mom had never met Reese...or me...or Ben before the walk.  Amazing people.

 



The week before the walk my neighbor shared a conversation she'd had with her 9 year-old twin daughters.  They'd heard about Reese's walk & wanted to learn more about Down syndrome.  After conducting their own research online, they both decided they wanted to contribute some of their own money to the cause (FYI, their parents had already generously donated AND entered the raffle).  So I found it only fitting that the money they hand delivered to Reese's door was the money that propelled us over the $7000  mark.  Apparently the Deep Well of Kindness doesn't apply only to adults.  And Kamryn & Kiersten are already entertaining several fundraising ideas for next year.  The Well is overflowing in these two girls.

Then Saturday was upon us & the weather was not cooperating.  To say it was cold is an understatement & I thought, "uh oh, this is gonna keep the crowd away."  Boy, was I wrong again.  Reese's Rebels came out in full force as did the rest of the 9,000+ walkers that day.  Dear friends bundled their babies beyond recognition because they couldn't stand not walking with Reese (I know, double negative). 

 Please notice the overwhelming trend of hats...

 and blankets...

 and coats...

and layers...

it was cold!!!

At least there were ponies!!

 

Kids missed soccer games & big kids missed the Mizzou Homecoming game both in person & on TV but, in their own words, "some things are just more important than a game."

 Aunts & cousins braving the cold...

as well as FaceTime buddies who singlehandedly raised hundreds of dollars for Reese's fund

 

Some of Reese's friends even designed their own attire for the special day.

 

 The infamous Lukie

And the twins who have made appearances in almost every post

 

And every single attendee gave up precious weekend & family time to not only support Reese & our family, but to support a cause that touches thousands of lives. 

Many thanks to Elece for the awesome banner.  And many thanks to Ben for inventing the coveted PVC banner frame.  Boys and their toys... 

 

Reese's Rebels Rock!!!

 

I've discovered this Deep Well of Kindness does not apply only to Reese & her pals with an extra chromosome. 

My friend Karen recently started an online campaign to do something extraordinary for her cousin & her family.  Directly from my friend's website:  Jill and Ryan Taylor have been married for almost 10 years and have three beautiful little boys. Ryan is 37 and has been living with stage IV colon cancer for the past four years. As Jill's cousin, I've been watching their story unfold for years via Facebook and for a long time I've wondered what can I do for this family? I finally stopped wondering and just asked, "Jill, if Ryan could have anything, what would he want?" She responded, "A family vacation. And maybe the chance to meet Guy Fieri, that celebrity chef from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

The campaign was launched 7 days ago.  They are $300 short of their $7000 goal.  Yep, that says seven thousand dollars.  We were fortunate to be one of the first to donate, when that $7000 goal still seemed daunting, & I feel like a giddy kid on Christmas morning every time I check the website & see their total quickly rising.  I talked to Karen at the walk & she said the same thing.  Sure, most of the donations are coming from friends & family, but some are coming from absolute strangers.  Random friends of friends of friends who saw the story on Facebook & felt compelled to help.  People, this Well of Kindness is serious.

And it doesn't always have to be about money.  I know times are tough.  You see it every day in the news & in the foreclosure signs on houses in the neighborhood. 

Ben's coworker & his wife recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  Their little bundle decided to make her entrance VERY early & was in the NICU for weeks.  Her mom was prepared for a 12-week maternity leave.  She had worked hard & saved up plenty of PTO so she could enjoy those months at home with her newborn.  Well, as it often does, life had other plans & she spent those 12 weeks in the hospital instead.  Her coworkers got wind of her plight & the Deep Well of Kindness took over.  Within a few days, this mama's PTO bank was overflowing & she was able to spend every day at her daughter's bedside & even a few within the comforts of their own home.  All without missing a paycheck & all because of the kindness of others.

The Deep Well of Kindness is apparent every day.  The Well doesn't always make headlines but it is abundant.  Maybe it's because I'm more aware of how the Well truly impacts the lives of others or maybe it's because we've been on the receiving end of that Well many times over the last 13 months, but I am in awe of it.  And I am beyond thankful.  So are Reese and her friend, Brooks.

A match made in heaven