Somebody should do something about that...

I said, "Somebody should do something about that."  Then I realized, I am somebody. -- Lily Tomlin.

That most perfect and appropriate quote was written on one of the entries in our wonderful gift from "Project Treasure".  Thanks again to all that participated.  I previously mentioned that Lou and I pull out one note almost every night and read it aloud.  That way, we can go to bed hearing someone else's love note to Ty and it always leaves us a little happier knowing how he has touched so many lives.  Another wonderful person shared her own personal loss of her son to cancer.  She reassured me that although our lives are forever changed, our hearts forever broken, still our memories are forever in our heart.  She is completely right.  I am just so scared that my memories will become fuzzy.  I want everything to remain vivid, so that when I call on a memory it can be as real as if Ty was in the room with me. 

Missing Ty is constant.  It is on my mind whenever an wherever you see me.  If I am at the restaurant, enjoying Gavin or whoever I am with, I am also thinking about where Ty would have been sitting (on my lap) and I look for his favorite things on the menu.  If I'm at the office all I'm doing is working on his foundation at full speed.  Writing about his life and trying to convince others to help the cause. If I am at the supermarket, I am thinking about how I would have bought more turkey if he was on one of his "turkey roll-up" kicks, or more fruit roll ups if that was his thing for the week.  If I am at a birthday party, I can imagine him as a big boy enjoying all of the activities with Gavin by his side.  Walking, running, whatever he wants to do.  If I am at a sporting event, I think what a champion he would have been, a superstar, if everything was the way it was supposed to be. 

Friday night, the local high school Trinity Pawling hosted two hockey games and they used the game as a vehicle to raise awareness and collect donations toward the foundation.  It was an honor for Lou and I to carry Gavin onto the ice so he could throw down the puck, but it didn't escape us for one second that it should have been Ty throwing the puck.  Ty should have been victorious and showing off how well he was doing.  We were so sure it would eventually work out that way, and it just didn't.  We are grateful for the large turnout at the game.  We are grateful for all of the kind people who approached us and kept us company.  We are grateful for Melissa and Kim, who froze their toes off selling SuperTy tee shirts.  We wouldn't be able to get this foundation off the ground if it wasn't for you guys.  I mean that.  PS - When our website is launched, we will finally have a section where you an order t-shirts online. 

Speaking of getting off the ground, our website is scheduled to launch on January 31st.  So far it looks amazing and I can't wait to share it with you all.  I poured my heart and soul into writing that site, so I hope it has the visual impact that we are so desperately striving for.  Here is a sneak peak of the logo for the foundation (not quite finalized, but almost perfect!!).   Don't you love it??

We're looking to launch the Muddy Puddles Project on the first day of Spring by rolling out that website and announcing our first big event (date and venue at least).  Please continue to send in your photos - and especially videos - of your kids splashing, getting messy and being kids.  We want to pull together a quick video reel, too that we can share with the media when we launch the website.  Email your contributions to muddypuddleproject@gmail.com.  Please don't forget to include a line that gives us permission to use your photos or videos on the upcoming website and in additional marketing materials (i.e. event signage, brochures, or even the video). 

I want to again thank you all for sending in such eloquent nominations to Kelly and Michael.  If you have three minutes, please watch this video as well.  I found it to be such a beautiful testament to our journey and how hard we fought (and continue to fight) for Ty.  It brings me to tears every time, but that's okay.  There's no denying the sadness of all this, that's why I share it.  So we can change it for future children.  WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.  Thank you, Sara, for creating this.  I cherish it. 

Tomorrow, Lou and I have back to back meetings in the city with members of our medical advisory board.  We are very excited about the funding model that we are putting into place, and eager to discuss their thoughts on some of the most promising research taking place right now.  Our advisors keep us informed and help us to make sound funding investments.  For all of you who donated, please know how incredibly serious we are taking this.  Your money will be spent wisely in our efforts to fund the most innovative and promising research.  The hardest part about getting excited about all of the progress that is being made is knowing Ty didn't survive long enough to benefit.  That's why I always say I am fighting not just for Ty, but for the next Ty Louis Campbell.  So that things will be different for him. 

Before I sign off, won't you please take the time to sign Maya's petition to the White House?  It would be a really big deal if the White House went "gold" for September.  It's important.  You can sign it until February 6. Thank you. 

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/light-white-house-gold-month-september-honor-pediatric-cancer-fighters-and-bring-light-cause/syV6M6wX


Missing you, Ty, always.  XOXO.