Exactly nine years ago today, I walked through the doors of a hospital a young mother of two, and left in the back of an ambulance the mother of three; suddenly aged by fear, knowledge, passion and purpose. Nine years ago today, my beautiful daughter, Sophia, was born.
Service, it’s personal. For those of us who have chosen a life of service, it is in most, by choice. You choose to become a police officer to ’serve and protect’. You choose to go into healthcare to ’serve’ your community, you choose to become a teacher to serve youth and you choose to go into politics (yes I said politics) to serve your state, or province, or country.
However, there are some of us who yes, have chosen to serve…yet, it is also propelled from a place deep within. I began my career serving my community through healthcare. I serve hundreds of patients a week, getting to know dozens on a personal level and wanting to ensure that the little bit I could do would matter; would or could make a difference. I was serving my community…
After Sophia was born, and after our life became all about supporting this wee little fragile girl…I found a different longing inside of me. A pull to ‘be’ the difference, a deep desire to impact my community and ultimately the world. Now I don’t want to sound like the Joker and want to take over Gothem City BUT there is something; an energy, a passion, felt deep in my core to ‘be’ the difference in our world, in our communities and to have an impact on our every day.
I know some of you reading this will completely understand what I am trying to say, trying to convene in words. I am not sure it can be articulated effectively through words, it is an energy ‘felt’ and it is something you ‘do’.
To serve is personal. Terry Fox suffered from cancer and chose to have an impact and bring awareness of the disease by running with a prosthetic leg across Canada. Rick Hanson, a parapalegic, created the Man in Motion Tour, wheeling around the world to raise awareness of people with disabilities. Gilda’s Club was co-founder by Gene Wilder, when his wife, Gilda Radner, died from cancer and now has Gilda’s Club’s around the world establishing free cancer support in those communities. Recently, I got introduced to Leeza Gibbon’s new passions Leeza’s Place. An organization that helps educate and support caregivers and their loved ones, Leeza created this from her own experience with her Mom, with alzheimer’s.
You can’t help but read all their stories, follow their blogs, feel their passion for the cause that has impacted them personally. And know, for them to choose to serve…is personal.
Pincgiving was created as a living legacy to Sophia; it IS personal. This little girl over the past nine years has endured more than I care to imagine, more than I probably even know or want to know, as her mother. I am unable to take on her pain, I am unable to stop the progression of her disease.
Sophia in nine years, has lost her eyesight in one eye, has had organs removed, others repaired; has more surgery scars than I care to see, seizes with the blink of an eye, literally, and daily her disease changes…we watch, we wait, we nurture, we support, we hold her in the dark of night, and laugh with her in the light of day.
To serve, it’s personal…Pinc Productions is here to serve, to serve all of those who have their own reasons, their own sense of purpose, and their own passion for wanting to ‘be’ the difference. For those who which to use social media and social networking and raise awareness and fundraise online. For those who want to take on Gotham, and shine their light up into the skies of their communities and be a safe beckon for people in need, whatever that need may be.
Happy birthday to my wonderful little angel…to a young girl who amazes me with each breathe she still continues to inhale, and who breathes life into my heart each and every day. Happy Birthday, Sophia, you ARE the change…
My angel
