This is my first month of wearing pink for Cora. Today I wore pink, a beautiful, bright, happy pink shirt. Money is short this week as we had to buy school clothes and supplies and my ex-husband still isn’t paying support. I thank God every day for my husband. Last month, on my birthday, July 31st, I met Rian. I didn’t see Rian again until this past week. I had not put 2 and 2 together until my kids had mentioned Rian and her husband that Rian’s husband was the obituary I read in the paper back in May. He was 29 and they have 2 young girls. Two of my boys have been helping her with yard work and house work. I remembered a CHD angel’s mom talking about how she was smothered with caring people when her child passed but that months later, she felt so alone. This week, I have reached out to her so that she doesn’t feel alone. I have let her talk about Aaron, her husband, and how much she misses him. The gift of friendship and compassion is something that you cannot put a price tag on.
Linc in the Pink for a certain Little Lady…
When I dressed Lincoln this morning, I didn’t hesitate in putting his bright pink t shirt on. I told him we were going to contribute to making a difference in this world and that it was for #Cora. I then asked him to say Cheese for #Cora and the result was this beautiful photo… Thinking of you Kristine, and #Cora now saves lives :0) xxxxxxxx Mary, (@LincolnAndMe)
I wrote about why Ben and I decided to do something for a single mother earlier this month. I depended on him so much through my pregnancy and during Cora’s short life, I can’t imagine raising children on my own. We both have much respect, and frankly, are in total awe of single parents.
For Wear Pink for Cora, I decided to pamper a single mother, I collected some gift certificates to restaurants so she can just grab food and go, and we’re buying her a gift certificate for a massage.
I wanted to help all of you that want to join in, but aren’t sure of how to help. I asked on social media how people could help and got some awesome ideas.
- Be a handyman (or woman): I don’t buy gender stereotypes, and I know there are many handy single mommas, but I know I’m not handy, and depend on Ben for car repairs, home repairs, etc. If you’re handy, or your husband is, offer to come over for the afternoon and do any home repairs she needs.
- Provide meals: Either mail out gift certificates to local restaurants or cook some meals for the freezer.
- Offer to babysit: If you know her well, offer to take the kiddos for the afternoon to give her a night out or even just alone time.
- Pamper her: Buy her a hair cut, or a massage, or a pedicure. Anything to make her feel extra pampered.
- Rake/Shovel/Mow: Take care of her lawn. This is perfect if you have a single parent neighbor.
- Spend time with her kids: Several single moms said sometimes it’s not what you do for the mother, but for her children that means the most. Be a mentor.
If you don’t know of a particular mom to help, make a donation to a woman’s shelter or homeless shelter that serves women and children. If you don’t know the mom very well and don’t have much time or money to spare, send her a note explaining she’s appreciated with a $5 McDonald’s gift certificate.
I announced our August good deed a few weeks ago on Cora’s Story. We’re focusing on single moms this month. As always, you can join in and get inspiration from our good deed, or do something in the moment or something else planned.
I picked the single mom that deserves so, so, so much. I don’t want to go into many details. After I surprise her, I’m going to leave it up to her how much she wants me to share to protect her privacy.
I want to buy her a gift certificate to SpaFinder.com among other surprises, but need your help!
This single mama never asks for anything, has been through soooo much, and juggles school with a baby, all alone.
If we get donations over the amount of the gift certificate, $200, I’ll come up with ways to recognize and support other single mamas.
Follow this link to Cora’s Story PayPal account, set up as a non-profit account, and in the notes write that you’re donating for the August good deed.
This is a picture of me on July 30, wearing pink for Cora. Love to Angel Cora and Kristine! ♥
~Lauren (almost 23yr old CHD Survivor… Tricuspid Atresia, HRHS)
<a href=”http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f327/giggle99/?action=view¤t=MiaCoraJenna084.jpg” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f327/giggle99/MiaCoraJenna084.jpg” border=”0” alt=”Photobucket”></a>
She invited Cora to her birthday party. This is unbelievable. To think of little Cora on such a big day. Cora caught the balloon and smiled, I’m sure of it.
Pink for Cora (via Mkirk32)
We chose to do the same act that we did last Cora’s day. My boys & I went through all their toy boxes and picked out gently used toys they barely play with anymore. When we have gotten the toys together I go onto Iwanna or Craigslist and look for ads from needy families and chose a family to give them to :) Last month we actually picked two! I always make sure I tell them about why I am giving them the toys and I ask them to spread awareness of CHDs, sweet Cora & the inspirational Kristine!!!
Always in my thoughts <3
Posting this from an email, this wasn’t my good deed, but the good deed of a wonderful woman:
“OK, so I gave blood today and I had the opportunity to do (in my mind) one of the coolest random acts of kindness!! Today while I was putting something in a mail box on the side of the road I met a lady at the city bus stop. It was right next to the mail box. I started talking to her and I mentioned I had just got a job and was looking forward to starting. She said she had an interview on Monday for a job but she did not think she would get it because she lives at a homeless shelter right now and she has no money for a outfit for the interview. I took her to the thrift store (In the same shopping center) and bought her an outfit that was really nice for $5!!!!! Then I took her to the beauty school and she got her hair cut, a manicure, and her eye brows waxed!! To top it off, while she was getting these things done I was talking to the lady at the counter and I told her about Cora and the random acts of kindness and that is why I was doing this. A few minutes latter she brought in her manager and she said she did not want to charge me for the services for the lady because they wanted also to participate!!! They did it all on the house!!! They even gave the lady highlights!!! When it was all done they gave her a mirror and she just cried! He felt so much better about herself and was so happy that we all would help a stranger. I dropped her off back at the bus stop and she hugged me and said she could never thank me enough, I told her to just remember Cora and my son and that would be enough! Tell me that was not so awesome!!!
Oh by the was her name is Mary Small please keep her in your thoughts on Monday as she interviews for the job that could change her life around!!!
I am on cloud nine!”
