Today I attended an annual MOMS Club banquet — it’s a celebration of the past year, full of playgroups and club events and hard-working moms! I joined the Gainesville MOMS Club when Joey was 10 months old. I intended to find friends and socialization for my stay-at-home kid. And I found both for him. But as I look back, I realize I may have gained more from this club than Joey did. Much of what I gained came this year. And it has touched me in powerful ways. So I am sending this e-mail to the moms in this club.
Dear Moms,
I wish I could have stood up at the banquet to say this publicly but my emotions are a bit overwhelmed lately and I don’t know that I could have spoken clearly. But what I want to say is this …
Thank you from every fiber of my being for your support and love and encouragement and attention throughout my journey with breast cancer. At the banquet today, I realized how fortunate I am to have this support system of moms. I knew I would make it through my treatment (which ended last Friday after 6 months) — I really had no other choice — but I did not know I would have so many people lifting my spirits and holding me up. I have received flowers and cards; e-mails and phone calls; hospital visits and home visits; cozy socks and a quilt that I sleep with every night. I have spa gift certificates and a new scrapbook. And today, so many of you checked on my progress. You are sincere and loving women and I can honestly say I would be lost without you.
If you wonder why you pay $20 a year for membership in this club, just ask me. It’s more than finding friends for our kids and a social outlet for ourselves. It’s about deep friendships and shoulders to cry on. It’s about giving and sharing. It’s about helping save lives — like mine. Recovering from life-threatening illness takes physical strength but it takes so much mental strength too — you all gave me the strength to fight. I will never forget what you all have done for me. I am forever grateful.
Sincerely,
Jacki Donaldson
www.jackidonaldson.com
mom of Joey (4 1/2) and Danny (2)