Update and a bunch of "asks"

I've noticed so many new things that Gavin does around the house that used to be "Ty's things."  For example, he is dancing sometimes.  Gavin NEVER EVER danced.  And, when he does shake his booty a little bit he tends to lift his elbows and dip his head in a way that I have only seen one other person do it... Ty, of course.  It is so strange to see so much of Ty in Gavin all of a sudden.  They are two very different little boys, don't get me wrong, but just like Gavin adopted a love for superheroes as Ty was leaving this world, he has also taken on some of his physical traits and funny movements. I'm grateful for that.

The music in the car kills me.  I tried to tell Gavin that he can't watch a DVD during our 10-minute drive into school because it's ridiculous.  Stubborn boy instead insists that we listen to his kids music.  He wants to hear the CDs that I used to play for Ty religiously.  Sometimes I am happy to play some of Ty's favorites for him "Listen Gavin... this one gets really fast and silly! Ty used to LOVE IT when I sing it like this?" but other times I can barely stay on the road when the memories come flooding in.  On our way to school today I was so sad listening to the CD and then a slow song came on... "twinkle twinkle little star."  I immediately heard Ty's little voice singing from the back seat and at that exact moment, a gold leaf fluttered right before my face on the other side of the windsheild.  I often tell Ty "I see you in every star that winks at me, in every falling leaf before me."  He is taking care of me, isn't he?  I hope he isn't burdened by the need to watch out for me.  I just want him to enjoy and have fun, I don't ever want to imagine a look of worry on that precious face ever again. 

So everything is okay.  We are doing as good as could be expected.  Lou and I take turns crying, but it's always at night and it's never debilitating.  WE are very focused with work and with advocating for Ty's cause.  I hope to have a radio interview with Bloomberg next week and a few other exciting things in the works.  Which brings me to my "asks":

First, if you Twitter, can you please tweet for Ty?  Follow us @SuperTyCampbell and start tweeting to #Gaplove and #Superty.  The Gap is posting photos on their Times Square billboard and I want to get Ty up there.  The photo has to include a picture of an adult, though, so here is the "tweet" i created with our photo attached as a bitly.  Please tweet and retweet all you want :)  Thank you.  I'll post the photo of the billboard if we ever make it up there.  I just think it would be a cool way to honor Ty and potentially promote his story! Even if it only lasts 5 seconds :)

#GAPLOVE @Gap New pic w/mom. Love doesn't get bigger than this! #Superty, a 5yo cancer warrior whose legacy lives on. http://on.fb.me/UGUdNK

My next ask is a big one.  It involves the Muddy Puddles Project. 
Let your kids jump in muddy puddles whenever they want.  Let them get wild with finger paints and glitter.  Soon they'll be all grown up and see the dirty clothes and wet shoes as nothing but a nuisance.  It's beautiful that children can find such joy in the simple things that we no longer appreciate as adults.

What is The Muddy Puddles Project?

The Muddy Puddles Project is a celebration of children and childhood.  It is a way of life.  A shift toward letting go of the everyday stress of being a grownup, and finding the fun in all things silly and ridiculous.  It embodies the act of kids being kids in honor of those who can’t. 

The Muddy Puddles Project was inspired by five-year old Ty Campbell.  A magnetic little boy who battled cancer for more than half his young life.  The treatment that he endured severely compromised his quality of life, just as it does for the majority of the brave children fighting cancer every day.  But it never stole his smile or dampened his spirit. 

When Ty lost his ability to walk, he found joy chasing his brother around the house by scooting across the floor on his behind.   When he lost the ability to manipulate his toys, he enjoyed looking through toy catalogs as his friends and family turned the pages for him.  When he could no longer eat some of his favorite foods, he found happiness in the simple sweetness from his favorite blue lollipops.  When he was stuck in the hospital for months on end, he loved to get pushed around in his wheelchair and get outside for a breath of fresh air – or watch the fish in the fish tank.  He never stopped smiling, even as more and more of his childhood was taken away from him. 

 

Ty often talked about jumping in muddy puddles.  It was the thing he wanted to do most when he got better.  That idea alone, the joy that might be found in the simple act of jumping in a muddy puddle, is a perfect demonstration of how incredibly beautiful childhood can be.  What it is supposed to be all about.  

Ty died on October 17, 2012 and he is finally free to jump in muddy puddles, ride his bike in the rain, dance on the rooftop, slide down rainbows and bounce among the clouds.

How can you be part of the project?

Simple.  Share your stories of how Ty has inspired you to have fun.  Send in your photos of your children getting totally messy and acting silly.  Give them piggy back rides to bed and let them have “one more story” before going to sleep.  If they want to use finger paints instead of crayons – let them.  So many of you have already done this around the time of Ty's passing and it was the greatest gift you could have given me. 

Now I am asking you to resend those photos and those stories with your permission to republish them on our Muddy Puddles website and present some of them in a book form as a sort of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" collection of kids celebrating being kids in honor of those who can't. 

As a minimum, we will collect your stories and display them on the Muddy Puddles website which is well underway.  We consider this celebration of childhood as a therapeutic reprieve for parents, and an opportunity for our kids to have more fun while they still appreciate what that means. 

PLEASE EMAIL OR RESEND TO A NEW EMAIL ADDESS SPECIFIC TO THIS REQUEST:
MuddyPuddleProject@gmail.com  If you don't want me using your kids names, just say so,  But please don't be shy in sharing the truth behind the photos and incorporating Ty's influence wherever possible.  We really hope to turn this collection into something tangible some day. 

The Muddy Puddles Project “MESS DAY”

The muddy puddles project “MESS DAY” is an event where kids can get downright messy.  We will have mud for jumping and wrestling.  We will have food fights and whipped cream pie tosses.   There will be glitter absolutely everywhere and kids will be encouraged to toss water balloons.  Let’s burst open some watermelons with a kid-friendly sledgehammer!! Once they are good and messy, we will hose them off with a fire hose. 

The format is similar to a carnival, with various tented areas, but instead of rides there will be a wide range of messy activities that all children are encouraged to participate in. 

I will need a lot of volunteers to help pull this one off.  Anyone available to come to the office in Carmel one day a week to focus only on the muddy puddles event?  If so, email me at muddypuddleproject@gmail.com  I am also recruiting a team who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty :)  Thank you all so much.  This is going to be such a fun event. 

Can't wait to get our websites finalized so I can show you all what we have been up to all this time!!!
Cindy