Butterfly Kisses from Heaven

My journey began in the summer of 2012 and the ride has been full of ups and downs. When I started my business, I wanted to simply give a gift that I created to a little boy recovering in the hospital. Little did I know, this gift would turn into a thousand gifts that I would be on the receiving end of. A gift so great that I can put into words because of the way it makes me feel. I consider it a gift whenever I am blessed with meeting a child battling an illness, a bully, depression, a tough family life or whatever makes them hurt. The innocent children who endure are the greatest gifts on my journey and I feel like I'm the one who is blessed. 

I hosted a book launch when I decided to pursue this gift idea as a business. I raised money that evening for two boys, Eli Williams and Hunter Alexander. The two boys were both battling brain cancer. I met Eli through a friend who saw a post where I was looking for children who could benefit from my launch party. A friend reached out and and told me about Eli. I just happened to be going to Memphis that weekend for my son's basketball tournament and Eli was in the hospital. I remember calling the Auburn licensing department to seek permission to give Eli my book because it wasn't even finished yet. They approved. I was staying a stone's throw away from St. Jude so I contacted Eli's mom. My son and I took Eli an activity book and he was happy. His dad sent me this picture of him working in the book after I left. Eli loved old cars and had a quiet, but adorable personality. This was one of those butterfly kisses from Heaven that I'll never forget. 

Soon thereafter, I had my book launch and met Hunter, an avid Alabama fan. Hunter smiled and lit up the room at the celebration. Hunter received my Alabama activity book even before the little boy who I created the gift for. I visited Hunter and played with him on my app and we were the life of the party in clinic 8. Another butterfly kiss from Heaven. 

I met Ryan Kitchens soon after and traveled to Waffle House to meet him. He was the funniest kid I've ever met. We went to SEC Beach Fest and to the SEC Championship game. He was one tough cookie who yelled Roll Tide like he meant it from deep within his heart. Another butterfly kiss from Heaven. 

I struggled when Hunter and Ryan passed away and wondered how I should continue with donating books to kids. Would it keep hurting like this or would it get easier? Would I be guarded and careful in the future? The answer was...ABSOLUTELY NOT. I was not going to let the hurt keep me from helping more children. These boys were some of the most selfless and giving kids I knew. They taught me that no matter what happens, you keep fighting. They were being poked and prodded with needles and injected with chemo. Yet, they still wanted to give their toys to other kids, host blood drives, and do good for others. Therefore, it has become a no-brainer for me to give back and keep impacting one life at a time. 

I have met so many beautiful souls on this journey. They each have impacted my life in such a positive manner. The reason that I am reflecting today is because Eli went to Heaven and I'm reminded of how this all started. I'm reminded to not give up and to not take one single day for granted. 

Hunter is saying "Roll Tide," Eli is saying "War Eagle" and Ryan is saying "No purple in this house." They all three nod their heads and send three butterfly kisses from Heaven.