Vera Bradley - Breast Cancer Awareness pattern

Each year, Vera Bradley has a new pattern designated as the breast cancer awareness pattern. 10% of the net proceeds from the sale of products in the pattern will be donated to The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer and other breast cancer projects and services. This year's pattern is Pinwheel Pink.

Now those of you who know me well, know that I have been supporting breast cancer awareness since before CB was born. Each year I purchase at least one piece in the breast cancer pattern to support this very worthy cause. I did not know when I walked in the store, number one that the breast cancer pattern had already been released, and number two that it was the Pinwheel Pink.

After visiting the Garden of Hope, I walked into the store and was immediately drawn to the beautiful pink pattern above. I picked up three different pieces ad walked around looking to see if I like another pattern better, but this one just kept hold of me. When I went to the counter to purchase my finds, I asked when the breast cancer awareness pattern for 2008 would be released. The lady then told me it was the one I was buying.

I had this really weird feeling as if I had been drawn to that pattern for a reason. Now, I really like pink, and that is not the only reason I found this pattern, but there has got to be another reason.

Garden of Hope

Among the Flowers (my favorite store in St. Augustine) has a small garden area outside the store as you enter. When we walked up the other day, I was drawn into the garden by all of the pink ribbons. It is called the Garden of Hope. All of the pink ribbons have been placed in this area in honor or in memory of loved ones with breast cancer. I walked through the garden reading each of the names on the cards, and was struck by all of the people this disease has touched. Even our family in the past two years.

My dear, sweet cousin Cynthia was diagnosed in November 2006. She did not even last a year. We lost her in August 2007. When I went into the store, I made a donation and now she has her very own ribbon in this Garden of Hope so others who visit the store will know how much we love her and think about her everyday.

Me and My Daddy

Yesterday was Father's Day and the one thing I wanted more than anything else was a picture with my daddy. I got my wish. However, my best friend, LM didn't have the privilege. You see her father passed away last August. I didn't occur to me how difficult yesterday must have been for her until today. I guess I am a horrible best friend.

I know my uncle must have also had a hard time yesterday. You see his youngest daughter, my cousin, our "Glinda", lost her battle with breast cancer last August. She was only 37 (my age). I miss her more than words can express, but my pain is nothing compared to that of her parents.

I have to admit (and I have no problem saying it) I am a Daddy's girl. I always have been and I always will be. As I grow older, it scares me how much I am like him. I have adopted the same profession, his humor, the way he teases people, his sayings, even his inability to tell a joke!

I guess I could say I take my daddy for granted. I don't tell him how much I love him every day. I wasn't really raised in that manner. I hate to think of a time when he won't be in my life. It scares me with every ounce of my being.

I know that he knows I love him, just as my mother knows I love her, but I really should tell them, shouldn't I? How can anyone really know you love them, unless you tell them?

Just to let you and the world know, Daddy, I love you very much.

BTW - that's my mom's finger in the upper left corner...she wanted to be in the picture too!