I'm putting away the power tools and paint and I'm getting personal on the blog today. Something touched my heart and I wanted to share.
Our family lives in a community that glorifies sports. All sports, but baseball in particular. Shane and I like baseball too. We signed our oldest up for little league when he was 6, soon after moving here. A few years into it though and it was clear that he was not loving it. He was the kid chasing butterflies in the outfield hoping the ball would not come to him. The one who had never once swung the bat but would stand there frozen. The kid who only looked forward to the game because of the treat he would get after. I knew I needed to help him find his "thing" since it was obviously not baseball. I didn't want to be one of those mom's who forces their kids to do something just because I wanted him to do it. I wanted to find what he was good at, what gave him joy, and support him in that no matter what it was. After trying numerous things (including other sports) we noticed that he was very musical. We started him in piano. He liked it and picked it up quickly. But it was when we bought him his first guitar that I saw him blossom. Buying that guitar was one of the best thing we ever did for him.
One of his favorite bands is Imagine Dragons. I am sure he would love them no matter what (because they are a great band) but I think he likes them a little bit more because we use to live in Dan Reynold's neighborhood when we lived in Vegas. We attended the same tight knit church with he and his family while we lived there. Dan (the lead singer) was a teenager then and my son was very young. It's not much of a connection, but to my son it seems pretty cool. P.S. Dan's parents are two of the neatest people I have EVER met.
We surprised our son with tickets to the Imagine Dragon's concert and went a few days ago. It was an incredible concert.
But this post is not about the concert.
It is about how a rock band is being a good example to my son, and millions others. It is about how they are using their fame, their voice, for good.
About five years ago, Dan met a young man who was fighting cancer. His name was Tyler. He and the band grew close. Soon after his passing, the band, along with his family, formed the Tyler Robinson Foundation. Their goal is to help families who have children battling cancer.
(Photo Source: TRF.org)
You guys, cancer sucks. I lost my dad to cancer. I have watched friends lose loved ones to cancer. Cancer is awful and cancer is expensive. It can financially ruin a family. When you have someone you love that is dying, you want to do things to create memories before they go. But sometimes you can't because all your money is going to pay for stupid cancer.
It makes my heart happy to see people use their talents, their money, their platform for good. It made my heart swell to listen to my son tell his friend all about the Tyler Robinson Foundation on the way to concert.
I was proud to wear the TFR shirts.
And our bracelets :)
Tyler inspired Dan, Dan inspires my son, and I pray my son goes on to inspire others. Service rocks you guys! In this case it LITERALLY rocks :) When you do things for others it grounds you. It makes you better. It increases your love for others. It lifts you out of whatever is weighing you down. Find a way to use whatever it is that you have to help those around you. It doesn't have to be big or done in the public eye. Simple, secret acts of service done in love can change someone's world.
Stacy, I've always loved your blog , but now from this post I like it even more!! I heard about the Tyler Robinson foundation a few months ago & it's amazing! I've lost both grandpas to cancer & it does SUCK!! My husband & I are both non endorsing of any sport, so to hear your son wasn't much into sports is kinda up our alley! I love that he LOVES music { which is totally a talent} !!! We try & give to cancer research, but especially childhood cancer as much as possible. Today was DQ's Blizzard awareness , so this post was on the perfect day! As we got our yummy ice cream & got in our jeep I turned to my husband & said every time I see the childhood cancer awareness commercial I cry..no family should EVER have to worry about paying for treatment & go without other stuff to pay for it. Thanks for sharing this post!!!
Paige.Rose
from
http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com
TRF is amazing! And you are right, cancer does SUCK.
Excellent post. Thank you
These words especially touched my heart and ring true as a mantra for being a good human:
"When you do things for others it grounds you. It makes you better. It increases your love for others. It lifts you out of whatever is weighing you down. Find a way to use whatever it is that you have to help those around you."
Thanks Stacy. My mother died from cancer and the band's efforts are such a great idea. As a mother of varsity athletes and state debate champs to mechanic, so glad you were observant to guide your son.
Julie
Great post. I lost my mom to cancer and have several friends that have survived cancer. It is a terrible thing.
Congrats for helping your son find his gift, music! Great job and great family memories for you.
Awsome post!! You have a great talent in your writing!! Thank you :) Hope you have a blessed day!!
Reading your blog, I felt like I was reading about my 13 year old son, Geoffrey! Geoff was born with hypotonia (low muscle tone). Doctors told us he might never walk. He surpassed all doctors expectations and walks, runs, bikes, etc......BUT, he does not excel at sports:-). Like your son, he also chased butterflies or picked daisies in the outfield at little league games; and loved snack time at half time of soccer games. But, at age 7, he found his love....guitar! He, too is inspired by Imagine Dragons and Tyler's story. He chose to get involved in fundraising and raised a lot of money for TRF! He continues to be very much involved with TRF and educating the world about pediatric cancer and TRF! I bet our boys would get along very well! A mutual love of music and making this world a better place:-)
I loved reading this blog....your son seems like an amazing kid, who will no doubt inspire so many!! Keep it up! #slaycancerwithdragons
Best,
Jill
They do sound like they would be good friends! Music is amazing isn't it? It slices through differences and bring people together. Your son sounds like an incredible young man.
My daughter is one of the kids the Tyler Robinson foundation is helping out. She has always liked Imagine Dragons because of their Utah roots, but when she found out they are helping the Tyler Robinson foundation, she became an even bigger fan. She will be having amputation surgery on Monday to finally kill cancer for good. She was originally supposed to have surgery a week ago, but I believe things happen for a reason. Her surgery was postponed, and thanks to TRF, she was able to see Imagine Dragons and meet the band. They have given her such hope and a reason to keep fighting. They haven't only helped our daughter, but our whole family.
#slayingcancerwithdragons #mytrfvoice
When I was growing up my cousin here in Utah had a brain tumor and had to to have surgery to remove it. She was able to meet her favorite band (Backstreet Boys) right before her surgery. She was on cloud nine for months and it buoyed her up during her recovery.
I am so glad your daughter was able to have a similar experience! Our family's thoughts and prayers will be with you this coming week as she goes through surgery. She is lucky to have such a great mom who is not only helping her fight but helping keep her spirits up :)
Thanks for sharing her story with us.
May your son go on to slay the dragons in his path. Cancer is bad.