Last Saturday Roland, Aria and I joined our friends at the zoo to walk for Arthritis. I know what you are thinking. Really? Arthritis? For like, old people? Apparently not. And in this case we were walking on team Beez Buddiezz for a little girl named Melissa, affectionately called Bee by her family, who is 2 years old. Two. She's was diagnoised juvenile arthritis just after turning one. Now, this isn't cancer, but I was floored to learn that this type of condition actually exists. Turns out it affects close to 300,000 kids in the US under the age of 18.
Meet Bee:
Just the average two year old that gets cortizone shots to help her muscle through the day. We had an impressive walk with wonderful company and perfect weather. I know great things are instore for Bee - because her Mom is determined for her to have a healthy and pain free life!
Later that night we enjoyed the Owen's backyard amusement park with Connor, Bee, Aria and more as we celebrated the arrival of summer. It's hard to imagine simple things like splashing in a pool being painful for a child. Humbled by this thought I didn't break up the natural 4-year-old-rough-housing the boys love to indulge in. Later, Roland - by accident - took a bat to the face. We all learned a lesson on where to stand during backyard tee-ball. The result was a pretty minor bloody nose, quickly dismissed with, "I want to go play." And that was that. Kids are amazingly tough. Sometimes.
Dinosaurs, lava, sprinker and a pool? Marketing genius. We bought firewood for the firepit so the guys could "camp": hang out down by the tent, chase lightening bugs and roast marshmallows. We've learned that all they want is a marshmallow - regardless of toasting. And we had some good laughs at being probably the only people in the state who bought firewood on the hottest Saturday on record.
Roland's favorite place on earth: Connor's house. Michelle and I just need one of those bank-tellar-shutes that we can blast the boys back and forth from house to house. Add one to Jack's house and we have the perfect trifecta.
Aria had a big time too. She can hang with the boys most days, but was tuckered out from all the watersliding, diving, running, jumping, etc.
This is a peice of artwork Connor made in his class at school. It is a worm farm. All the worms have been named. Awesomely, they are all named after us. There's a worm for Brian, Me, Roland's great-grandfather, Aria and Roland. We are so loved! Best compliment ever!
The next time you groan from aches and pains, think of Bee! And while I'm on this tangent, are you an organ donor?
1 comment:
I actually have two friends that have arthritis and you know one of them. Anna Ward Barnes in HC has rheumatoid arthritis. Every year I do the jingle bell run in Franklin that raises money for arthritis research. You don't think of younger folks having it but they do. So way to go Throops on raising awareness!
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