Sunday Night Movie In The Park

Anna Lounsberry, Michelle Langevin, TJ Hopkins and Nicole Labarge

    I sat in the warm building, savoring the breeze that came in through the screened windows.  All around me sat adults and children, there were children sprawled on the floor on blankets.  The air was full of children's giggles as Spanky and his gang got up to some slap stick antics.  I looked at the faces of my children, that look of utter contentment on their little faces, life was good.  Life was good, and yet I felt a little uneasy.  You know that feeling that you've forgotten to do something, shut off the stove, lock the front door, there's something that you were supposed to do.  It was when the bright energetic ladies who were hosting this event came around to ask if the kids would like some popcorn that I knew what that feeling was.  I was at an event for my children and was actually able to sit with my children and enjoy it.  I had nothing to do with the organization, I was just a participant.  That thought set me free.  I was able to slouch a little, enjoy where I was, that very moment in time.  I sighed a deep breath of relief, and utter contentment.

     So here is the beginning of the story.  A while back I began to notice facebook posts from a group calling themselves "More for Our Kids in Tweed".  This group wanted to make activities available to our children.  So often in this rural community we need to seek fun in other communities for our children.  This group of go-getters was trying to remedy this.  I began to notice posts like "we are trying to get movies in the park for the kids".  I silently clapped my hands thinking how great this would be for the children in our community, but most notably my own!  Then came the messages that "Kiwanis would be sponsoring this event, and it was a go".  My kids were giddy with excitement as they counted down the days until the movie in the park.

    Finally the day came.  It rained all day.  My kids kept asking "If it rains it will be canceled."  I kept telling them "wait and see",  hoping against hope that the day would clear, that if we chanted Rain Rain Go Away enough times it may take the hint!  The message appeared on facebook that the movie was a go and would be happening in the pavilion, no matter what.  With that the rain stopped.  The rain stopped and the humidity began.  Now I did not fear the rain, but sweating to death.  The kids were elated.  

    All afternoon the kids were excitedly discussing what the movie might be.  The ladies had kept it a secret to build the excitement.  "Do you think it could be the Lego Movie?  Grandma says that is what they are playing in Acton's movies in the park."  I silently prayed that it would not be the Lego Movie.   They exchanged ideas all afternoon.  The time finally came to gather them all up and head over to the movies.  It made it all the more exciting because Nana and Papa were coming too.  Our whole family would be able to enjoy this together.

    We entered the pavilion and were greeted by this really friendly, dark haired lady.  I was disappointed to see a small crowd.  That's too bad I thought to myself.  These ladies have done so much work to bring this to our community, and this is the thanks they get.  I tried not to get discouraged,  I hope they don't get burned out (like happens to so many of us Change The Worlders) but I instead focused on my children's excitement.  Soon we were all lost in the movie.  The kids were laughing at the movie filled with timeless kids humour.  A cool breeze had found it's way in to fight the humidity.  At one point one of the friendly lady who had greeted us came around and asked if we would like some popcorn.  A free movie and free popcorn!  The kids all sat there, their little faces lit up, happily munching away on their popcorn.  Life is good.

    When the movie had finished, the audience erupted into applause.  I looked around and noticed that there were a lot of people who had found their way in.  I also noticed happy faces on children as they staggered out, clasping their parents hands.  The movie was a success.  I saw that look of hard won achievement on all the faces of the ladies who had worked so tirelessly to bring this to Tweed for us.  I overheard one of them telling the others that she had counted "60 people in attendance, not to bad for the first night."

    It just goes to prove what I have long believed, there is no mountain too large when you have a group of like minded, determined Moms.  If we work together, there is no end to what we can do.  What the world needs is more moms like this group of ladies.  

    Thank you ladies for giving this gift to our children.  Thank you for your hard work, it did not go unnoticed.  Because of you, many children in our community are adding to their summer memories.  When they are adults and telling tales of their childhood, they will talk about going with their families to see movies in the park.  Thank you.

What Would You Do To Save Someone You Love?

    

    I remember reading this poem in high school.  We were asked what it meant.  I don't remember what I thought that it meant, but I know that it was probably naive.  What could the average teen know about death?  As a mother who has held her dying child in her arms, my response to that question would be very different now.  As he lay there dying, we begged him to fight, to fight with everything.  We willed him to fight hoping that we could empathetically give him our strength, until the end when we verbally gave him permission to leave us, because we knew that we were being selfish, and it was the last act of unconditional love that we could bestow upon our beautiful boy.  If I were asked today what Dylan Thomas meant in his poem, today I would tell you that it is an eloquent fight song.  To me it says when death reaches for you kick, punch and bite until you are free of it's awful clasp.  Just imagine how powerful that fight song could be if it were chanted not by one, not two, but by hundreds?  How could you not gain strength from that?

    Over the past few years I have been reading Facebook updates from Christopher's cousin Ted and his wife Heather.  Growing up Christopher spent many a concert in this duo's company.  The funny thing is that I feel very close to them, and yet have physically only met them once or twice.  Heather seems this hilarious lady (someone that I would make a very dangerous combination with), and Ted funny and empathetic.  They have three beautiful teenaged boys and are very active in their community.  The one of the most striking things about Ted and Heather is their adoration for their nephew Eric.  Eric is Heather's sister's son.  Eric suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an insidious genetic disease that robs mostly little boys of their muscles.  It affects 1 in 4 000 boys.  It is the most common form of Muscular Dystrophy, but also one of the most severe.  Beginning around age 7 - 12 most of these boys are wheelchair bound.  My heart breaks for these boys and their families and the uphill battle that they must face.  Imagine taking all of your prenatal vitamins, taking care of yourself the whole pregnancy doing it all right.  You give birth to a healthy baby boy.  This baby boy hits all of his milestones until around the age where they begin to walk.  Still no need for worry, right, lots of kids are late walkers.  When these little boys do walk often they have enlarged calf muscles.  As pre-schoolers they seem clumsy.  They fall a lot.  They may have difficulty climbing stairs, or getting up from a sitting position.  By the time they are school age many are toe walkers or are walking on the balls of their feet.  They have a wobbly stance and fall often.  This disease can be a genetic trait, but it can also pop up out of no where.  There is nothing that parents could have done to prevent this terrible illness.  At this point in time there is no cure.

    There is currently no cure, but if Ted and Heather have anything to do with it, they will not accept that as an acceptable answer.  Every year Ted and Heather organize "Eric's Amazing Race" a car rally and silent auction.  All of the money they raise from this fun event goes to Jesse's Journey an organization which raises money solely for Muscular Dystrophy research.  Every year there are pictures of Ted and Heather's home filled to the ceiling with items for the silent auction.  They spend hours mapping out routes for the car rally.  There are always pictures of a smiling Eric.  I should note that in the pictures of Eric, he always has this big smile, but more than that an aura of someone who is adored. Children who are loved almost always seem to wear that love, like a cloak of invisibility.  To this point Ted and Heather have raised more than $170, 000 dollars for Muscular Dystrophy research.

    Recently Ted has been posting pictures of this older man in front of a van that reads "Jesse's Journey Grandpa Bob's 4000 Km Walk".   I didn't really pay much attention to it, at first.  You know how you think that your life is so busy (generally it's not, it's just a self induced mental illusion), you just don't have time to look at everything everyone posts.  Every day Ted would post pictures and a few words.  After a little while I became intrigued, o.k. nosey.  What was this all about?  It wasn't really until I noticed pictures titled "Belleville" and "Trenton".  It was at this point that I truly felt disappointed in myself.  If I'd paid some attention I could have gone and seen this "Grandpa Bob" and seen Ted.  From that time forward I have been reading Ted's posts and each post I become more impressed.  Ted is a wonderful writer.  I came to find out that Ted was not just posting Grandpa Bob's progress, but was there with him for much of the journey.  I find that I have become emotionally invested in this journey.

    "Grandpa Bob" is actually Bob Facca.  He's a 65 year old grandfather from London, Ontario.  Bob is running for his 6 year old grandson Louie.  Louie as you may have guessed has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  Bob is planning to walk 4000 km to raise awareness and research funds.  At this point he and his team of amazing and dedicated volunteers have raised $18, 547.86 for research.  What an amazing man.  How could Louie not gain strength from that kind of love?  How could Louie's poor parents who must be living a nightmare not take strength from their father's devotion?

    I hope that Ted does not mind, but I have stolen some of his updates and pictures.  I warn you, Ted is a really inspirational writer, and he will make you want to join in this amazing cause.

Day 4 - The Calm Before the Storm?

Today was good. Relatively quiet, but good. It began at McDonald's in Port Hope where the staff were so moved by Bob's story that they begged us to come back on Thursday when the HWY 2 portion of the trip resumes. Grandpa Bob worked the restaurant while Grandpa John greeted people in the drive thru.

At the starting point we welcomed Bob's cousin Glen who will be spending the week with the team. He fit in immediately with his willingness to do whatever it takes to make this big wheel turn.

As we headed north on HWY 28 toward Peterborough the blue sky began to show signs of cloudy grey, and a mugginess prevailed. Because this portion of the walk was through a quiet rural highway passersby on foot became very infrequent, while transport trucks and commuters were constant. The sound of supportive horns was welcome background music. In this environment the traveller who makes the extra effort to stop on the shoulder and get out of their car to greet us is recognized with extra warmth and gratitude.. We are happy to say this happened several times as we walked northward past Rice Lake into a town called Bailieborough where once again a generous strawberry farm owner provided us with a quart of her finest strawberries.

The day ended with dinner at an Italian restaurant compliments of Grandpa Bob, and the night was punctuated with a series of unsolicited donations from supportive patrons and the visibly moved restaurant owner.

Back in our rooms we prepare for tomorrow as we listen to the rain fall outside our window. We have had a run of great weather, but according to the Weather Network (Grandpa Bob's Walk for Louie Sponsor plug) heavy rain and potential severe weather may be coming our way. Tomorrow our uniform of white Grandpa Bob 4000 KM Walk for Louie T-Shirts may be covered by clear rain ponchos as we finish the Peterborough leg of our journey, or the good fortune that has shone on this trip for over 800 kms and $480,000 in DMD research donations will continue, and the storm will pass us by. We can accept either because Grandpa Bob's focus is way too strong to let a little rain slow him down.

Grandpa Bob's Walk for Louie Day One

Today is what people would describe as a postcard day. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the demeanour of the people we encountered reflected the beautiful weather. Friendly greetings, smiles, waves and genuine curiosity added to everything positive.

Our entourage left the motel at 7am and after a brief breakfast at McDonald's Bob's 37th 20 km walk since May 12th began. Some highlights of the day included:

As we walked by the Trenton Air Force Base toward downtown a Canadian soldier approached our group on foot. He had driven past us and was curious about the Walk for Louie and Jesse's Journey so once he parked his car he headed back toward us to find out more. He probably walked about a kilometre and across four lanes of traffic to speak to us. Once Bob and the group explained our mission to fund research for a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy he gave us a donation and with a tear in his eye gave Bob a hug. Powerful stuff!

A hydro service worker working along the roadside stopped us and gave us a donation. When our group thanked him he emphatically said; no, thank you! More tears.

When we returned to the motel at the end of the day Grandpa Bob's road manager received a phone call from a Trenton resident who saw our convoy along Old Lakeshore Road. She was moved by Bob's dedication so to show us her appreciation she is going to deliver sandwiches, potato salad, homemade cookies and drinks tonight for tomorrow's lunch. Nice is not a strong enough word. People's generosity knows no bounds.

All of this combined with the majestic Quinte West countryside, and the sparkling Lake Ontario panorama made for a very memorable and moving first day.

Defeat Duchenne! Change Lives! No Bad Days!

No bad days. How true it is when we are able to put life in the proper perspective. This motto was inspired by Grandpa Bob's son Rob; Louie's father. It has become the family creed. Our team had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful family today. What energy; simply boundless and fortunately we will get to see them again tomorrow as we travel through Burlington.

Several years ago we had the pleasure of meeting Jesse's Journey founder John Davidson at the first annual Eric's Amazing Race. He drove in from London and spoke to the people who attended and asked us to look in the mirror and ask ourselves what really mattered. These became words to live by. Here are some memories from today that really matter...

Hamilton Deputy Fire Chief Dave presented Bob with an official Hamilton Fire Department hat to wear proudly as he walked through the region. His words were "We would be honoured to have you wear this hat." That respect really matters.

My friend Patte reached out to me to find out what kind of shoes Bob wore and what his shoe size was. This morning before today's walk began she came to the Freelton fire station and presented Bob with a pair of brand new Saucony shoes from Foot Tools; the Burlington store she manages. To see Bob proudly clutching those shoes you just knew this gesture really mattered.

At the mid point of our day Bob was resting and much to his surprise his son Rob and family arrived from Kalamazoo, Michigan. This was my first opportunity to meet Louie, who Bob refers to as the real star of the show. To Bob nothing matters more than his family, and he is walking 4000 kilometres to show everyone.

During our noon lunch break Bob was interviewed by CHTV for their News at Noon program. During the interview Bob was asked about what he has taken from the walk. He spoke passionately about the immense support and generosity he has received since he left Quebec City on May 12th, 1080 kilometres ago. He said he was overwhelmed as he placed his hand on his chest and then he looked over at Louie who was standing nearby. He was choked up because once again he knew how much this walk really mattered. Not just or Louie, but for thousands of boys like him.

How far would you go for someone you love? The answer to that question will reveal to you what really matters.

    "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Light", we will not let you, we forbid it.  Although right now there is no cure for this terrible disease, with amazingly devoted individuals like this there must be a cure or treatment near.  As a matter of fact the FDA has set an approval path for a new muscle disorder drug.  I can only imagine how powerful that kind of love must feel to those parents and those children.  The amount of money raised is powerful, but the love raised, now that is priceless!

    If you would like to support this amazing cause you can do so by

 texting "BOB" to 45678

 or by visiting

 http://jessesjourney.com/

    Thank you "Grandpa Bob" for your devotion, thank you Ted and Heather Lindsay for being such inspirations!

The National Air Force Museum of Canada

    Summer is usually financially pretty tight for us.  We went and had three kids in June and July, and in July two kids on the same day!  Birthdays pretty much tap us out.  Having said that,  I am not about to sacrifice amazing summer adventures and experiences because money's tight.  My motto is go big or go home, and that applies to pretty much every aspect of my life (just ask anyone who knows me).  My plan is to have a once a week adventure, that has a low or better yet, no cost.  That is the goal that I have set for myself this summer, lofty I know, but completely do-able.

  
    Last week my nephew came to visit us and enjoy our Canada Day craziness.  As I mentioned yesterday, Jacob LOVES planes.  We are most fortunate to live 45 minutes away from one of the largest air force base in Canada, Trenton, Ontario.  In Trenton, on the air base they have Canada's National Air Force Museum.  The best part, admission is .... FREE!  That's right admission is free because they believe that everyone has the right to learn about Canada's air force history, amazing.
    As we entered the museum, we were greeted by this friendly volunteer named Reg Cofield.  Mr. Cofield told us about some areas that we may find interesting, and told us that if we had any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  It was a really nice way to be greeted.  Not only was this experience free, we had this really nice, friendly, helpful gentleman greet us.

    One of the first displays that drew my nephew's attention was the Nazi Flag featured in a glass case.  "Why would they have a German flag on display?"  Jacob asked.  So here is one of my teachable moments, my own children rolled their eyes knowing what was about to come.  "Oh no, Mom's on one of her history rants" their rolled eyes told me.  "This is not a 'German' flag"  I told him, "This is a Nazi Flag.  I would guess it's on display because although it's a terrible part of history, it's important that we know about it, and remember it.  Hitler took a symbol that was once a good thing (it means good luck) and turned it into the symbol of evil.  Now you can go to school in September and tell your friends that you saw a real Nazi flag, and you can tell them how it made you feel".  He was taking in every word that I was saying, and it was lovely to see the look on his face when it truly registered.

    It was beautiful to see the kids really enthralled in what they were looking at.  They were devouring it all.  It was neat to see the way they were able to connect yesterday and today.  We looked at the ways that they communicated at war.  Again, everything to me is a teachable moment.  "Imagine, during a war, having bombs going off around you, but it its your job to talk on this and let the rest of the army know to beware, or what else is going on.  Can you imagine how that would feel?"  Again, my guys rolled their eyes, but not Jacob.  Jacob was drinking in my every word, it was really nice for a change.

    Our friendly greeter, Mr. Cofield had hold us about the restored Halifax Bomber when we had first come in.  As we made our way into that section of the museum, Jacob's face lit up.  This was the real deal.  The Halifax bomber had crashed in Norway in 1946.  In 1991 it was raised from it's watery slumber place and flown back to it's home in Canada.  Over a 10 year period retired aircraft technicians and many dedicated civilian volunteers donated 350, 000 man hours to bring this relic back to it's former glory.  Many of the repairs were done at the museum.  When they had finished this labour of love The Halifax looked just like it had before it left for war.

    Mr. Cofield was right, it was a massive undertaking and something that we were all glad to have seen and known about.  As we approached the plane, it's size was most striking.  We walked around it, looking at all of the angles.  This was not a model, a plaything for grown ups, this was a death machine.  This was something that men, many as young as Jacob's big brother gave their lives for.  There was a great gravity to this plane.
  

    We circled around the plane, and looked at the back where the tail gunner sat.  There was this tiny place, a suicide seat.  This was the first place that the German's would have picked on the plane to hit.  That was a very brave young man fitted into a claustrophobic space, fighting oppression, not knowing if he would see another sunset.  To me it was very important to stress to the kids what they were seeing.  I wanted them to be in awe of this beautifully restored plane, but I also wanted them to remember what it really was.  This is what gave us the freedom that we enjoy.  This is what stood in the way of Hitler's evil plans for the world.  This represented sacrifice and it is something that we should remember.

    Hands down the most favourite part of the museum for all of the kids were the flight simulators.  They all raced to get into them.  Each calling out a preferred seat.  Jacob, our airplane enthusiest was in his absolute glory.  He was calling out the different parts of the plane, by the dreamy look on his face I could see that he was imagining how it would feel to fly in one of these.

    The second favourite part of the museum for the kids was the dress up area.  They loved trying on the different uniforms and the hats (I took a deep breath and tried to forget about head lice as they took great joy in the hats).

    The kids had so much fun, but yet the gravity of it hit me.  My Grace is 13, in four more years she would have been of an age to enter world war two.  Rowan is days away from 10, he would have been drafted into the army in 7 more years, that's if he didn't lie and say he was older, which many patriotic young men did.

    After we had had an exhaustive search through the inner parts of the beautifully cool, air conditioned museum, we set off for the boiling hot outside.  There was every little boy's dream ... real airplanes.

    My girls liked the planes and helicopters, but in the end they favoured the daisies that they had found.  The two youngest proudly sported daisies in their hair.

    One of the best things about the National Air Museum is that it is actually on the Trenton Air Force base.  What that means is that you are sometimes treated to an air show.  There are "real" planes taking off, and better yet, there are soldiers practicing maneuvers.  As we walked around looking at the retired planes, one of the kids noticed parachuters.  That was a real highlight for all of them (and maybe this big kid too).

We enjoyed a really nice, educational afternoon, not far from home.  The National Air Force Museum is a true Canadian treasure.

It is a treasure that should be celebrated and everyone should visit.

    Although the museum has no admission charge, they do accept donations.  Donations help them make ends meet.  After we had selected our souvenirs from the gift shop, I gave the kids some money to put into the donation box.  This is a national treasure, that deserves our support.

http://www.airforcemuseum.ca/

We Made Airplanes

    Well, week one of summer holidays has already passed.  It was busy, but really great.  We celebrated Canada Day, and hosted my nephew for a few days.  It was really nice to be able to have Jacob come and stay with us for a few days.  Years ago his big brother Matthew used to come and spend Canada Day with us every year.  He and Gabe got up to some adventures.  Matthew's 20 now, hard to believe, too old and busy with his own life to spend Canada Day in Tweed.  It's nice that the torch was passed to his little brother Jacob.  Rowan and Jacob (he's 11) got up to their own adventures this time, it was really nice to have that deja vu.

    Jacob wants to be a pilot when he grows up.  This summer as a special treat his parents have enrolled him in a day camp at the Hamilton War Museum.  He is quite pumped to say the least.  It was Jacob's love of planes that inspired our day trip and this craft.  It's funny that Jacob was the inspiration for this craft, and yet he was the one who enjoyed it the least.  I am used to my kids who LOVE crafts.  My guys were super excitedly painting their planes, Gracie put her own together.  Meanwhile Jacob just painted one tiny bit on the back of his plane.  "Done." He said.  "But you didn't paint anything" I said, feeling perplexed.  "Aunt Tristan, I don't really like crafts."  This was all said with the utmost politeness and I was actually really happy that he felt comfortable enough to tell me this.  Although Jacob was the inspiration, my guys really loved it.

    I found some old fashioned wooden clothes pegs in my craft bin, and they were the whole inspiration.  I used my hot glue gun and glued a popsicle stick on to the top, leaving the separated part for the tail wings.  I cut bits of the popsicle stick into smaller bits to make the tail wing, and tiny rounded bit for the top bit, whatever it's called.  I assembled 6 of them and laid them out for the kids to paint (and myself to paint, I wonder where the kids get their love of crafts from).  It was really neat to watch the kids creative juices flow as they painted their planes.

Riley's Canada Flyer

    When the planes had all dried I added the two last bits to them.  First I opened a split pin (I think that's what they are called.  You remember those cool little silver things that you used at school to make joints for paper crafts).  I hot glued that on for the propeller.  The last thing was a dowel hot glued onto the bottom so that they could hold it to make their planes fly.

Stay tuned tomorrow for our visit to the National Air Museum

Our Canada Day

       Life is not fair, you don't always get what you deserve, and cherish those fleeting beautiful moments, because they are truly what life is about.  These are the lessons that tragedy has taught me.  When Gabe was little I had this childish notion that life was fair and that only the old died.  I learned that this is not the case.  I also learned how beautiful and precious and breakable life is, and because of that you should marvel in every single drop of joy it gives you.  Instead of wondering what that next moment will be and wasting precious, glorious time making plans for it, when you have joy, bask in it, bathe in it, allow your soul to drink it in for the nourishment that it truly is.  Gabe's death taught me to cherish my living children, love them and hold them until it hurts.  Take pleasure in every second that you have, because it is so precious.

    I truly do live the philosophy that life is about joy.  Please don't get me wrong, there are times in my life that I feel like my brain might really explode, much like the Mentos and Coke experiment.  There are times that I would gladly leave my children in the supermarket and run away.  There are more times than I would care to admit to that I might very well be in last place for Mother of The Year.  What I'm saying is that I am not perfect, actually quite far from it.  What I am is a human.  I am a human who knows unthinkable tragedy, and has come through it with the knowledge that life is a gift.  I stop and smell the roses, because that is what makes life worth living.  I take joy in my children (when I am not considering leaving them in the grocery store and running away).  

    I live in a small rural town, and consider it a blessing.  When I walk down the street I will smile and wave at most of the people, because I know them.  I live in a community.  A community is where people come together.  One of those times that our community comes together is Canada Day.  Since Gabe was tiny I would dress my kids up in patriotic wear and they would take part in the Canada Day parade.  This is something that they looked forward to.  The last few years our municipality has been sponsoring fireworks, that is just icing on the cake.  

    Yesterday was Canada Day.  I frantically created patriotic clothing the night before.  Tuesday morning the kids all excitedly donned their clothing.  For me there is always this sense of pride in my kids.  They walk a little taller, smile a little more on the day of the Canada Day parade.  They walked down the street smiling and waving at everyone, holding that monster tie dye flag that Gracie and I made.  When the kids got to the park, Gracie and our neighbour sang Oh Canada.

    We had this amazing day.  The organizers at the municipality outdid themselves this year.  There was bird building houses for the kids, lots of crafts, free cotton candy, and snow cones and cupcakes.  I looked over at the table where they had the bird house making area.  There was my Dad patiently helping out my kids, and all of their friends.  I am very proud of the fact that my parents have basically adopted all of my children's friends.  It's quite beautiful.  The kids had an amazing afternoon seeing their friends, and the highlight was jumping through the fireman's hose on one of the hottest days of the year.  We went home and had dinner.  Then came back for the fireworks.

    Throughout the day I took in every single second of what was going on around me. I saw it for the gift that it was.  That night sitting with my friends and the kid's friends and our family I felt like the Grinch when his heart grew larger and broke the x-ray machine.  I was nearly in tears with the sacred joy of it.  I looked in front of me there were my amazing friends with their children, my children were sitting on a huge blanket, cozied in with their friends.  On my lap lay Elly dazzled by the beauty of the fireworks, and the excitement of them.  It was one of those moments that I will not soon forget.  It was absolute beauty.  It was a moment that almost felt religious and sacred.  In that moment I knew how truly blessed I am.