Our niece Kennedy was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was a year and a half old.  I remember her little body covered in wires and tubes, with sunken eyes and yellow skin and thinning hair, sitting in the hospital bed that looked like a cage.  Now that I am a mother, it is almost unfathomable to remember what she and her family endured during that time of tests, treatments, symptoms, and side effects.

BUT!  SHE!  SURVIVED!

Kennedy is now fourteen years old, healthy, and so very talented.  Her stage voice blows me away—look out, Broadway!  And her other artistic talents are budding, as well (obviously, see that photo!?!).  

I’m going to confess to you that I am a bit of an asshole, because surely you were not aware of that already.  And I’m sure I will offend most of you, but here it is:  . . . I don’t really dig the whole volunteering thing.  It seems relatively empty and self-servicing to me (or, that has been my experience).  Generally, I think that if you are going to be of true service to the world, it is best all around to do your thing, or to get busy searching for said thing.  People can run races for a cause or stand in protest for a cause or “help out” at whatever organization they think will be the most self-glorifying.  But those who actually make the big differences in the world are the ones who have the creative and scientific vision, as well as the courage to implement their genius.  (See?  Asshole.  Yeah, I know.)

At the same time, regarding Kennedy specifically, I think of the penny drives that were run, “Coins for Kennedy.”  Yes, so there are little somethings we can do.  I don’t think that doing the little things lets us off of the hook from being authentically fabulous, but I do think of this Helen Keller quote:  “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; . . . I will not refuse to do something that I can do.“  I can ride a bike, at least, in hopes that the money raised from this event will help one of those scientific geniuses do their thing.  (Also because it’s a really fun event with free frappuccinos.)  And you could donate, in Kennedy’s honor.  Or join me!  But then get back to work on that thing of yours.

This is Kennedy now: