Living in a beachfront community, there is a common phrase, "I've got sand in my shoes."  It's more than a literal reference to the actual sand that is in your shoes more often than not.  It is representative of the beach being part of you - going with you wherever you go. Our family has Long Beach sand in our shoes, and we always will.  No matter where life takes us. When Ty was home on hospice care, some great friends from Long Beach were coming up for a visit and Lou asked them to bring a bottle of water from the ocean, and a jar of sand from the beach.  He kept it in his closet.  I didn't know why. When we laid Ty in his casket, he was dressed in a white three-piece suit, and a blue handkerchief - his hair was perfect, his feet were bare.  Then Lou pulled out the box from his closet.  He poured the sand over Ty's bare feet, followed by the ocean water.  We believed he was free to go back to the beach, and we found peace knowing he was go...

Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. - Robert Frost I don't think there could be a better color to represent childhood cancer.  Children, in all of their beauty, purity and innocence, are truly golden.  When a poor child is diagnosed with cancer, he or she is immediately robbed of this, while forced to face pain, fear and realities that grown men and women can barely even cope with. When Gavin bumps his head badly, or skins his knee, or gets a shot at the doctor's office - I coddle him and I try to comfort him with every remedy possible.  Yet, in my mind I know what real pain looks like to a five year old.  I think to myself "sweet little man, you have no idea, thank God"  And for that, I am grateful.  He is still gold and I want him to hold onto that for as long as he possibly can....

The Long Beach Luau is less than two weeks away.  We hope you will get your tickets!  Finally, the TLC Foundation is bringing an annual fundraising event to Long Island.  It will be fun for the entire family.  A wonderful way to say goodbye to summer. Thank you, Brother Jimmy's and The Sands , for hosting this incredible beachfront event.  The food will be amazing, as will the entertainment.  Please join us. GET TICKETS HERE:   www.tylouisluau.eventbrite.com In the meantime, September is in full swing and we couldn't be more excited about the incredible campaigns taking place.  This weekend, alone, the adorable Bella hosted a lemonade stand for the TLC Foundation during Pawling's neighborhood tag sale, and the Westlake Wildcats went gold for the second year in a row (check out those socks and bows)!  Arlington High School will be wearing gold shoelaces, and Carmel High School is dedicating September fundraising efforts in support of...

“Thank you, Empire State Building. Your refusal to support the childhood cancer community has only created a firestorm of support.  The kind of support we have been rallying for over decades!  Your grossly insensitive decision, and the following bad press that accompanied it, has only helped our cause and raised childhood cancer awareness across our beloved city and beyond.  So, for that and only that, I thank you.  For anyone who doesn't understand where this message stems from, let me back up a bit.   September is childhood cancer awareness month, and the awareness movement is represented by a gold ribbon.   This is my son, Ty.   He died of cancer 13 days after his fifth birthday.   He was the one, out of every 300 children, who was suddenly and inexplicably diagnosed with cancer.   He deserves your attention and support.   They all do.     Over the past five years, I have watched a lot of f...

Lou and I left yesterday for a short cruise to celebrate his parents’ 45th wedding anniversary.    Lou and I, his sister Debi and Rich, and Mom and Dad – no kids.   Gavin ran out the door with a huge grin as we pulled away, turning to give us a butt shake.   I had mixed emotions knowing how happy he was to see us go!!   Sometimes I worry that he was passed around so much as a baby that he’s a natural independent and I tear up over visions of him moving halfway around the world someday.   But then I remember kissing him goodnight and yelling up to him, “I love you more!” as he’s heading up the stairs, only for him to run back down to say sternly, “Let’s not argue about this right now, Mommy.   I love YOU more!”   Then we play a game where whoever says it last loves the other person more, and I make sure we end at the same time.   “It’s a tie! I guess we both love each other the same.”   He needs me J . Off we we...

... truly, I can't thank you enough. The Mess Fest was outrageous.  The best day of the year, no doubt.  Once again, people came in droves.  We surpassed our 2013 fundraising goal and I am confident enough to say that the event was flawless.  The weather was like a huge smile shining down upon us.  There were ladybugs landing on children and laughter filling the sky.  It was pure magic.  Everything Ty ever would have wanted.  And I am proud.   VIEW THE GALLERY HERE . We couldn’t have done it without the 100+ volunteers who selflessly donated their time, the incredible fundraisers who participated in the Dirty Dunk, and all of you who attended to make this event the tremendous success that it was.  Special thanks, of course, to our long-time friends at Kiwi Country Day Camp for donating the most amazing place on earth to hold this incredible event year over year.  Lastly, our sponsors, because without their generosity we would n...

Ty's first and only Muddy Puddle We are counting down the minutes to The Muddy Puddles Mess Fest 2014!  The weather looks PERFECT and the event is already a success thanks to all of you.   It is going to be everything Ty would have wanted, and he will be smiling down on all of us that day! Ticket availability:  We are prepared to sell hundreds of additional tickets at the gate, however, we cannot guarantee that the event will not sell out.  In order for our team to be best prepared, please try to purchase tickets in advance, when possible.   Use promo code friends for an additional 10% off now until Saturday.   Parking and Shuttle Buses: As indicated on our registration site, all parking is off-site this year. Everyone must park at the Mahopac High School, 10 minutes away, where several large shuttle buses will be running non-stop to transport you to the camp (421 Baldwin Place Rd, Mahopac, NY 10541).  There is absolutely no parking at Kiwi ...

These are just a tiny fraction of a tiny fraction of the children stricken with cancer who have touched our lives.  Some are survivors, some are currently fighting (and winning!), but most of the children represented here are angels.  Gone too soon.  Never to enjoy the simple pleasures of jumping in muddy puddles and getting messy with finger paint and glitter.  They are the reason why we work so hard to make the Mess Fest so special.  They are the inspiration behind the Muddy Puddles Project - Celebrating kids being kids, in honor of those that can't. The schedule of activities is truly outrageous (see below).  You will NOT be disappointed!  For those who were able to join us last year, we will have everything you loved, with extended access (no long lines) and so much more.  Everything but food is included with admission, and we hope to see you there.  PLEASE purchase your tickets in advance so we can quickly and effectively shuttle e...