As a little girl growing up in Ohio, my Mom was always doing craft shows. She still does a ton of humanitarian work, specifically hospital procedure dolls that the little children going into have procedures done are given, and little activity bags that are also given to the sick children at the hospital (and sold at the Festival Of Trees!) So as a little girl, she would put together trees to be sold at the Festival of Trees in Ohio. Every year, I would admire the tree and beg her to leave it at our home. We are part of an amazing and supportive heart group called Intermountain Healing Hearts. This is a support group that gives a place for heart families and individuals to ask questions, gain empathy, and just really feel the support of others experiencing the same trials and hardships. I am also part of the angel group. These women have seen me through the first missed birthdays, where we celebrated with no baby, a trip to the cemetery, and a cake that will never be demolished by a one year old. They have loved and understood, and even validated when times were hard. I have an incredible testimony of how wonderful this group is. The members are some of my dearest friends. You are probably wondering how all of this ties in. After Lilly and Ryker passed away, I had thought about doing an angel tree and donating it to the festival of trees. It just never worked out. So fate would have it that our group, Intermountain Healing Hearts needed someone to fill in and oversee a tree sponsored by Intermountain Healing Hearts. I am excited and think it will be awesome. I think the tree needs to be about all those that have been affected by congenital heart defects. So, what I want others out there to get excited about is sharing any ideas, thoughts, and even maybe donating towards this dream (did I mention the group in non-for-profit and donations to the group are a very nive tax deduction? A great way to make the world a little better!) So put on your thinking caps, and stay tuned for a really exciting and rewarding project!
