Recently, a good church friend of Aubrie's (and who also happens to be her piano teacher's daughter) was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma (a kind of bone cancer). Aubrie and Ellie have both been so worried about their friend and immediately wanted to do something to help. Selling Kool-Aid and then donating the money to Anya was completely their idea.
The same night of the Kool-Aid sale, the community that Anya lives in put together a special evening to celebrate and support Anya.
Everyone in attendance purchased a lantern, and we all lit them at nearly the same time. The heat causes the lanterns to float --just like in the movie "Rapunzel!"
The wind, weather and evening were perfect, and it was a beautiful, spiritual experience. It was a sight I have never before seen, watching all the beautiful lanterns gently bob to the heavens.
This evening happened just as Anya was starting her first round of chemo. Cancer is ugly, and it is frustrating that a sweet 9-year-old should have to even know what cancer is. We are all learning through her experiences. Nearly every prayer said at our house includes Anya. Our heart's ache for the trials this sweet family has to endure. I hate cancer!! But for one summer night, the hope and light of a community seemed to completely overcome the pain and fears of these events.
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