The Malaria Healer and Tool Belt King

Continued from yesterday...

Think of this, if you had to be told today your child is going to have to battle cancer for the next three years, and this first year would be a real doozie, the last kind of things you think about are planning a fun escape to the bowling alley, or making time for some important family photos, or springing for tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters to celebrate the little successes in the treatment plan.

HopeKids did just that for us. They helped us be a normal family through some abnormal circumstances. In fact, without them, this past year would have been spent thinking a whole lot more about cancer than about being a family and getting through.

This coming Sunday, Von and family are walking a 5K to help raise some money so that HopeKids can keep on doing what the do best. Von is looking forward to handing Josh the money he raised this coming Sunday.

Von got excited tonight when I told him that two very cool people have donated some money that he will be able to give to HopeKids.

Mary Kauffman, the Malaria Healer and second mom to me, made a very nice donation. She is the one who before nursing me back to health had picked me up off the floor during youth group and told the kids it was a malaria fever that made me pass out and that they didn't need to start a prayer chain for a drinking habit. Her mothering instincts came through and sensibly came a dollar short of the 'Affirming Weggie' donation amount. Thanks Mary!

Jamey Clayberg, the only man who appreciates construction tool-belts as a fashion accessory, gave the 'Knuckle Bump' amount. He is cool enough to know the real name of that move where cool guys hit their fists together without any fight erupting. Thanks Claybs!

You can also give Von a $5 "High Five" and it is pretty easy by going here.

Von is sending a special gift to Mary and Jamey. I'll post what that is tomorrow.