Now Reading: A Father’s Heartfelt Message: 14 Years Without His Sweet Pea
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A Father’s Heartfelt Message: 14 Years Without His Sweet Pea
A Father’s Heartfelt Message: 14 Years Without His Sweet Pea
Hi Sweet Pea, it’s daddy! Today marks 14 years since you moved to Heaven and our hearts started having holes in them. Today feels heavy as I calculated we have been physically separated for 5,114 days. Dang that feels so long and it’s only getting longer with each day that passes. I try to see each day as a “day I get closer” to seeing you again, but that could be 30 years if I live to be 87, which means 10,950 more days. That seems gut wrenching and so hard, but I will do all I can to stay focused on the day we embrace again and I can hold you like this picture. Not sure you will fit on my lap…LOL!
Mommy is doing well and kicked breast cancer in the face! She is so strong! She and the team at the JoyFactory are working so hard to keep your legacy moving forward. They work with so many wonderful partners and volunteers each week to keep the JOY flowing!
Shaya is loving being a new “mommy”! Christmas was fun with your nephew, Brady, crawling around to touch presents. He brought a lot of JOY to Christmas, which was super fun.
JT’s new short-film, White Room, premiers soon. I can’t wait to share it publicly and encourage others dealing with grief to not sit silent but seek help! People engulfed by grief are stronger than they know and need encouragement to talk to people about their feelings. Seeking help is a sign of strength.
Your foundation is continuing to spread joy, share love, and provide encouragement to kids and families impacted by childhood cancer. I’m so proud to share that over 580,000 JoyJars have been sent out and we hope to send 50,000 more this year. Once JT’s short film gets released, we will be finding ways to encourage siblings and parents impacted by childhood cancer to be strong and seek help.
Jess, thank you so much for leaving me purpose for my pain. Being able to support your foundation has been such a gift and I finally feel I have “made you proud”. While that was never anything you asked me to do, it was the driving force of my life the last 14 years. I’m so proud of what countless donors, companies, volunteers, caregivers, athletes, and followers have achieved in your honor.
Love you! Miss you! See you in a wink…Promise!
xoxo
daddy
