A sea of teal...

This past Saturday, May 10th, Cooper was honored by being the 2025 Happy Smackah! This 5K was held in his honor and in support of him. It was nothing short of powerful.

Our community SHOWED UP! Over 1,250 people chose to come out that morning. Every year the Happy Smackah gets to pick the color of the t-shirt. Cooper chose teal this year. What a beautiful sea of teal it was!!

What stood out to me were the other color shirts there. People who maybe don't know Cooper personally but have a parallel story of someone they love who has walked through a really tough time. I saw previous Happy Smackahs there and got to talk to their families too!

I have had so many people tell me struggles they are going through and then quickly say, "but it is nothing compared to what you are going through." However, everyone knows fear, grief, sadness, pain, tragedy. Different stories, different challenges but nonetheless it's heavy and hard. That is what connects us all and creates a sense of "me too". That's where the divide in humanity shrinks and people come together.

I want to tell you all about someone very special to me.

This woman has seen many tragedies in her life. She is the mama who recieved the nightmare call that her 28 year old son had been involved in a car accident where a drunk driver killed him. She's a fellow cancer mama, her other son was diagnosed with Lymphoma and went through his own cancer treatments as a young adult. She watched her daughter experience a traumatic pregnancy and then see her bury her first son that died just moments after he was born. She cared for her husband as dementia first took his mind away and eventually had to say good bye when he passed away. Oh yeah, and her childhood? She grew up in the great depression!

And now... Her 9 year old great-grandson is battling Leukemia.

She's a fighter. She's my inspiration. At 94 years old, my grandma COMPLETED the 5.36K because she was determined to do it for Cooper. Talk about strength and resilience!!!

My sweet cousins held her hand the whole way around the lake getting her to the finish line!! They win the hand holding rockstar award!

1 hour and 40 minutes later, my grandma crossed that finish line lined with cheerleaders and a mob of family members behind her!!

Her name is Ione. She's known fondly by us as Cracker (I feel like I have to say, this is NOT a racist term at all, there is a sweet story there).

She reminds me that there is hope. That joy can always be found in life no matter what. Her secret sauce to staying active and moving was walking her dog everyday. She stays healthy by taking her apple cider vinegar, baking the most delicious homemade pies and not being afraid to laugh and enjoy life.

We love you Cracker 🩷