"YOPP!"

Because Erin's death six months ago today rocked my world, I selfishly want the earth to noticeably shift somehow due to her absence, even though she didn't really weigh all that much. Perhaps that listing motion I continue to feel is only personally discernible, due to the gravitational pull of my heavy heart ~ a tidal bulge of grief.

I ask for just a few moments of your time; moments spent in recognition of Erin's life and, in turn, the lives of all those whose worlds have been affected by cancer. Most likely, the majority of you know someone who has, or at one time had, an unsolicited personal relationship with the disease. Perhaps if we join together in the same "space" we can cause a noticeable shift, maybe not in Mother Earth, but in awareness, with acknowledgement of all those challenged to stare down this potentially-lethal adversary.

In this quest I'm reminded of Dr. Seuss' story, "Horton Hears a Who". With his highly-sensitive elephant ears, only Horton is able to hear the voices of the tiny Whos crying for help, desperate because their world has fallen apart. Alas, no one else can hear them. All in Whoville are implored by the mayor to yell as loudly as possible, with the hope that if this act is done in unison their small voices can be heard. They begin to make a great racket: hollering, and banging drums, and blowing horns and still they are not heard. A thorough search of the town is conducted, and at last "One Shirker, quite hidden away in the Fairfax Apartments, Apartment 12-J" is discovered. This silent "young twerp" is carried to the top of the tower, and when strongly urged to yell with the rest of the community, clears his throat and simply shouts ~ "YOPP"!

With the addition of that one tiny "YOPP", their voices finally ring out loud and clear. Lo and behold, those in charge of making decisions finally hear them. Their whole world is "saved by the smallest of all".

Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

Today, I'm asking for a collective "YOPP".

LIVESTRONG Action has a dedication book that salutes those whose lives have been touched by cancer, with the intention of increasing awareness about the need to take action against this disease that affects so many. Last night, I designed a page for Erin. Hers is one of nearly 50,000 pages, each created with love by family and friends of those whose lives have been touched by this disease.

I received this response ~

"LIVESTRONG Action will send this dedication book, with your signatures, to world leaders and pressure them to make cancer a priority in their own countries. It's our best chance to push for better treatment, more funding for cancer research and access to care for everyone around the world."

One of Erin's volleyball teammates had erin #8 Livestrong bracelets made for friends and our family members in December of 2006 when she was initially diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma.
I haven't taken mine off since.



LiveStrong has now ended this dedication campaign.

Thanks so much to those of you who participated.

Please, take a moment to click on ~

ERIN INSPIRED ME TO TAKE ACTION

This link will connect you to her personal page, where you can add your name to the list of those willing to acknowledge the memory of Erin and others like her, all who have been taken from us too soon. Your name will also show your willingness to stand in strong support, honoring those who continue to LIVE daily with the challenges of this disease as they desperately hope for a cure.

I also ask you to kindly spread the word by forwarding the link to my blog so this information reaches as many as possible. Thank you.

Perhaps the cumulative effect of all our signatures will carry enough weight to cause my desired blip in the earth's movement. It's worth a try.




I REALLY REALLY HATE CANCER.

Six months...