One of the guys that I used to work with at my last job has a little girl who came along about a year after Connor was born and about six months before our twins arrived. And as most new parents do, I remember talking with her dad at lunch and during breaks, sharing the new parenting moments that most of us do - sleep deprivation, milestones, amazing moments, and the ways - little and big - that our kids have changed our lives.
ViviAnne is a beautiful blonde hair, blue-eyed little girl who always seems to have a smile on her face. She has a younger brother with the same adorable smile. I've seen them grow up in pictures - you know, the ones that get forwarded around to former co-workers and people you once knew on a day-to-day basis but don't really see anymore.
The last one I got brought tears to my eyes. ViviAnne, at the age of two, has just been diagnosed with leukemia. I cannot imagine what their family must be going through. Her parents are sweet and funny and wonderful people, and it's heart-breaking to know that they are going through something so terrible. She has been responding well to treatment, but it's a long, hard road with lots of worries and trials along the way.
Visit the site. The story is sad, but the strength and hope of the parents and this brave little girl is amazing. If you can, send them a contribution (the blog has a link to a secure online contribution page or there's a mailing address for the bank fund in ViviAnne's name). Keep them in your thoughts and your prayers. And be sure to give your own family, especially your little ones, a big hug. Just because.
