Prayers, Blessings & Wishes for Saint

Dear friends and Saintsisters.

I have been given permission to launch a new campaign on Saint's behalf. As those of you regular readers have learned over these months, Saint's daughter is an enormous talent that shines brightly from the stage. If you've been reading along, you know that she/DD has recently earned the lead role of Cinderella for their high school's spring musical.

Their high school's threatre department is undertaking an enormously exciting project: to go to Scotland to participate & perform in the international theatre festival at the end of summer 2010. Needless to say this is a HUGELY expensive effort, roughly $6000 per student.

Saint had given her daughter 'permission' to go last summer, when they had Saint's retirement monies in the bank & thought they could earmark those dollars for Scotland. Well, then the many frustrations & realities of this fall and early winter set in, health-wise and budgetary-wise. The roof on their house had to be replaced and there went the little pocket of Scotland $$ into shingles.

I feel strongly that BCO has always been about lending a hand. In this situation we are not asking on behalf of an oxygen tank or wheelchair -- and for that Saint has a great deal of angst & guilt. She's always been on the 'giving' side of the equation. This is new territory for her.

Any number of people have PM'd me thru these months and have asked, "What can I do?" Now, with Saint & her DH's permission there is indeed 'something' that you can do. You can be part of the muscle to send their dear daughter to Scotland.

If BC was not in the picture, Saint would be working full time and they wouldn't think more than the 'typical' family who has one in college and one with a dream.... and they would stretch and make it happen. Unfortunately because of the number of hospitalizations and other set backs, that second income is an impossibility. So now we must get creative. It takes a village.

We would like to open up an 'account' where you can choose to help this talented wonder enjoy the excursion that her peers will embark upon.

If you PM me, I will send you their home address and you could send a check directly. Saint also has a pay-pal account, if you are set up for that direct method of money transfer. If you PM me, I will give you her account name.

Saint is quite adament that everyone realize she knows that there are many in our midst who would 'love' to participate, but you yourself may not be able. Perhaps you could be cheerleaders for the cause -- or say prayers for the effort -- or maybe you know someone who is a theatre lover who would like to get involved? Encouraging thoughts are greatly appreciated.

If Saint had been well this fall, she would have been on the committee to help with fundraising at school. Alas, that was not possible. Cinderella herself has already been involved in carwashes and those type of fundraisers, but the gap is still enormous.

She wants you to know that their daughter WILL in fact get to go. Somehow, she/Saint will MAKE it happen. (She has discussed selling her rings on ebay with me and other 'heroic' efforts to regenerate her nest egg.) I have convinced her that there are many generous souls here -- and that before she resorts to ebay, let's give the sisters a try.

Let me know via PM if this is an effort that you are able to support.

We thank you in advance for your gracious kindness and encouragement. This is another sort of miracle. If we could find 200 people able to donate even $10.00 each -- that would be an enormous help toward making this a reality.

It is the season of miracles. It is the season of giving.

Thank you.

Oh, happy day!!! We've already had four people raise to the occaision and be in a position to contribute. Thank you one and all!

I knew this would work.

One PM had a very practical point...... PM-gal is already 'over-extended' for the holidays budgetarily, but could send a little somethin-somethin' in the new year. Fantastic. This will be an on-going effort all of the way till early spring. So have no fear, if you're in a better spot at the new year -- that will be awesome. We have time on our side.

Thanks team.

She's got her massage scheduled for today, so I know she's looking forward to that!

It's a good thing we get the paper delivered every morning.

Look what was awaiting over-night on our front porch:

The box was cold from sitting there over night.

A birthday box!!

Look what I found inside!!

Saint, you've taught me a lot about faith thru the years. Keep it up. You're a good teacher.

Thank you, friends.  

xx00xx00xx00xx

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.