Some people love small towns. Some people prefer big towns. Venice, FL is my hometown. And I love it. A town that has a population of 20,000 people. A town where there is just one high school and everyone knows everyone. When I lived there, I probably wouldn't have given you that same answer, "I love it". I maybe would have told you "I cant wait to move to a bigger town", or "there's nothing to do here", or "this could possibly be the world's most boring town". You don't realize what you have til it's gone... or you move to Nashville, TN and are completely overwhelmed with the massive amounts of people buzzing through the city at any given point. I have come to appreciate, value and love the city I come from. Minutes from the beach, familiar faces at every corner and open arms every time I come back to visit. I am very blessed to have a 'teacher's schedule' and am able to visit several times a year during school breaks.
Here's the newest reason I LOVE SMALL TOWNS.
The day after my diagnosis, I received a call from two of my oldest friends, Danielle and Margeaux. Both who I grew up playing softball and volleyball with and both who now coach high school volleyball teams in Tampa, FL. The call brought me to tears along with a smile that went ear to ear. They wanted to hold a night in my honor the next week when they played each other. It was immediate. It was immediately after I was diagnosed. No hesitation, no thought, nothing - they immediately reached out to me. What an amazing feeling. They had t-shirts made and each player picked someone that is fighting or has fought cancer and each name was printed on the back of the t-shirts that the players wore during their warm up. They raised money to donate for medical expenses that went directly into my account at my doctor's office. I didn't have to ask. Heck I never even thought to ask something like this. And never would I ask. But they just did it. The night was amazing. I lived vicariously through my friends and family that attended the game and had text messages every couple of minutes about the game, who came and the amazing amounts of support that was shown. A couple weeks later, I received a package that included a shirt for Garrett and I and many, many cards from players, friends and relatives of encouragement and support. Amazing.
The welcome table where people choose colored ribbons to show their support for different cancers.
The Venice High School volleyball team also allowed for a table to be set up at a the past 4 home games. People that knew me, never knew me, heard about me and never heard about me rallied together to show their support. Not only were there hundreds of dollars donated and raised to help with medical and living expenses, the team will be wearing shirts with my name on them at their game this Thursday.
I received several texts and calls after my diagnosis. I received a call from my sister, Niki, saying she had talked to Ileana, someone who grew up in Venice, but who is several years older than me and never really knew me when I lived there. Niki told me that Ileana wanted to hold a garage sale for the community of Venice. She set everything up. She had flyers made, contacted people and reached out to the community for help, donations and volunteers. She set up a site where the garage sale would be held, made a facebook page to share information with others and spread the word throughout the community. Again, I was speechless about the amount of support I was receiving, but this time, from someone that didn't even know me. How do you explain this? God has put people in my path that have shown so much support and who continue to strengthen me simply by their acts of kindness and their efforts to support me. The garage sale is coming up and it sound like everything is in order. I am so thankful for Ileana and the several volunteers, donations and others who have helped put this whole thing together. Thank you for your hearts, your selflessness and your ending support. I am so thankful.
"Hi FB Friends and Family...Recently a friend of mine from High School was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and she started Chemo treatments yesterday. She is strong in her Faith and God is right beside her through this, but treatments and hospital visit will leave a big financial burden for Amber and her Husband.
For all of September and October I will be donating 100% of my Thirty-OneCommissions to Amber, so if you were planning on getting a head start on some Christmas presents let it go to a great cause.
Here is the link to shop...https://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E3750775&from=DIRECTLINK
If you do not want to shop but would still like to donate please visit this link where you can read more about Amber's Story and Give....http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youcaring.com%2Fmedical-fundraiser%2Famber-s-fight-against-cancer%2F88285&h=3AQEb-ZaC
Thank You and Please Keep Amber and Her Family In Your Prayers!"
Melissa, an old friend from Venice also posted the following on facebook...
Friends,
I will be donating 100% of my commission from Scentsy in September and October to help cover medical costs Amber Walker and Garrett Walker will incur during Amber's treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma. Get some Christmas shopping done while helping this awesome couple kick cancer's butt! If you wish to donate and not shop I have included a link below. Keep the prayers coming! Thank you Meg Elkins for the awesome idea!
You can shop Scentsy at:
www.melbennett.scentsy.us "
Courtney, another friend from Venice posted the following....
STARTING TODAY: All orders placed now through the end of October, 50% will be donated to my friend Amber Walker who is currently undergoing treatment for lymphoma. She is such an amazingly strong and caring person. Get your treats for any occasion or for Halloween, all while contributing to a wonderful cause.
A more recent friend, Jenny, is currently training for a marathon with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and has hooked me up with them to set up fundraisers. The connection is unbelievable - not only is it to set up a fundraiser, but there are people that run to bring awareness of this disease and that raise money for people like me who find themselves struggling in one way or another.
Jenny's fundraising page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/tn/partyhal13/jelliotgr8
Others have also asked if they can help by holding sales, including Ashley, a friend from high school. People have reached out in so many ways. I am blown away and still cannot believe the amount of support.
So many people, some who I haven't talked to in several years. Some, well, some that I've never talked to have completely supported me from the very beginning of this journey. All of it is pretty amazing. Humbling.
I went on to play volleyball at a community college about 2 hours away from my hometown. I got a message from my volleyball coach letting me know that they, too, wanted to have a night to support me. On October 1st, t-shirts were sold and donations were given. I opened an enveloped with a check and a book with personalized messaged from former players, parents of former players, current players, coaches, and staff filled with words of encouragement and support.
My family. Oh, my sweet family. Who doesn't love this... a customized "We Love You" picture :)
Thank you. I will be forever grateful.
Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.