Seriously… I need to start posting about New Years Day. I explained where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing here and here… The graphic to the right is also a clue...
Yesterday, I corresponded with the lady named Laurie who is Chairman of the Family Circle. She used to live in Chicago. She lost her brother six years ago – and he became an organ donor. After being involved in a gift like organ donation – I can see where one might take an interest in serving the cause later… She seems passionate about what she does. "Chairman" is on her email signature... And so is "Donor Sister." I know I’ll get to give her a hug in Pasadena…
The Family Circle Rose Dedication Program that she chairs offers those touched by organ and tissue donation the opportunity to honor loved ones by dedicating a rose tagged with a personal message and placed in the Family Circle Garden. The Garden is a living memorial on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float, which is seen by millions of people from around the world on New Year’s Day.
There are hundreds and hundreds of dedications listed – they will all be represented by a rose in the Family Circle Garden, tagged with that dedication. The garden will be in the front of the float. I promised Melissa that I would look for the fourteen roses she dedicated to Chloe…
Below, I pasted a few sections from the dedications – particularly, parts of the sections with first names beginning with “C” and first names beginning with “K”… I imagine you’ll figure out why. (If you can’t, the red might give a clue…)
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Rose Dedications C-D |
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In memory of Charles Cao - We miss you so much. You are always in our heart. Love, Mommy & Daddy |
California |
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In memory of Chloe - Your open-heartedness gave me a future. Today and always I honor you with 14 roses to represent your 14 years of life. Love, Melissa - Your heart recipient |
Illinois |
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In memory of Christie Marie Melancon - Our precious Christie will always live within us and in her recipients! My heart will go on for you, Christie!!! I love you, Nanny |
Louisiana |
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Rose Dedications K-L |
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In memory of Kari Westberg - Dear Kari, You’ve given me a life I’ve never imagined… I’ve hugged your family and friends. I’ll feel your smile always. Love, Steve |
Illinois |
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In memory of Katherine Elizabeth Moore - Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. And you shared the gift of life too. Love Dad |
Louisiana |
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In memory of Kathy Curl - Kathy was a loving sister and wife and a dedicated high school Spanish teacher. After going on dialysis she had to resign from teaching and spent her time doing volunteer work at many local charitable organizations. |
Ohio |
To peruse the many, many dedications – try this link…
It’s actually a little late in the game, but not at all too late… Anyone can dedicate a rose to a loved one impacted by donation – a loved one who is still around, or one they’ve lost. The packages vary in price – as little as $25 – and the funds go to a good cause… If you’re interested in dedicating a rose to someone special – try this link…
For the next several weeks, I will be posting about the Rose Parade and my experience there… I’ll also be trying my hand at something new – vlogging, or “video blogging”… I’m not 100% sure how comfortable I am with it – but I’ll hopefully be getting over that quickly!!! Scott, over at I am. Are you? will be picking up my banter as well. Scott also set me up my very own YouTube channel and gave me a cool little piece of equipment, a Mino “Flip” camera… I’ll hopefully begin soon uploading small videos (Scott says keep ‘em to 2 minutes – OK, but seriously, that’s like telling an elephant, “only one peanut, OK?”)
