Friday, June 8, 2012

Passionately Pink...

This post was originally written 10/20/2011. I am reposting because tonight we will be celebrating my mom at my brother's baseball game! Tonight is "Pink in the Park" for the San Jose Giants and all of the players will be wearing pink jerseys. This is the story of last year's pink jersey. Original post below:

*I've told y'all a bit of this story before, but this is the entire awesome story behind the pink jersey and the pink bat and my brother's bid to remain the favorite child.

The Background...

We're into pink around my house. It's weird how, outside of my sister, I don't think any of us ever had a really strong like for pink. I was a total tom-boy growing up. I was into sports and playing outside never dresses and dolls. I don't think I had a single item in my closet that was pink. So it was interesting when our entire world turned pink in the fall of 2005.

When mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on September 25th it was a mere days before pink was everywhere for breast cancer awareness month. It was amazing how our eyes were opened because for the first time, it hit home with us. We formed our first Race for the Cure team in 2005 and we haven't looked back! We printed pink team bracelets that year and all of our friends and family received one. It was our way of asking people to wear them and remember to pray for mom as she began the battle for her life.

My brother put that bracelet on and to this day, he has not taken it off! Our family has been changed forever. We have a fighter and survivor in our midst and we celebrate that and we will never forget what she's been through.

The Story...

Most of the MLB, for mother's day, wears pink in support of breast cancer. The major leaguers will play with pink bats and then auction them off, you'll see pink jerseys and pink batting gloves and many have the pink ribbon embroidered on their hats or jerseys. This past season, the Augusta Greenjackets wore their pink jerseys and the jerseys were auctioned off and the money was donated to the Komen Foundation. The cool part was that Taylor's start fell on the day they got to wear the pink jerseys! He talked to their manager before the jerseys went on sale and asked if his jersey could be left out of the auction. He asked if he could buy it himself as a gift for our mom since she is a survivor. And they let him!!

He gave it to her while we were in Savannah a few weeks later and she cried like a baby! Obviously his favorite child status is going nowhere! He's got that one in the bag.

A few weeks later, he was playing in Louisville and a few of the players went to the Louisville Slugger Factory. My sister and I got this email and I immediately started crying!

It wasn't long before a funny shaped (and heavy) package came in the mail and my mom received a precious gift! Again, she cried like a baby and was so grateful to receive such a treasured gift.
I absolutely LOVE that her name is beautifully engraved on that bat. She is a fighter and a survivor and she is my roll model and great inspiration. Praise God for her healing! I think it's safe to say she has made an impact on many and we never see pink without thinking of her. Keep thinking pink this October! I believe we'll find a cure soon.

There's no place like Hope!

*And my sister and I are not kidding ourselves. Taylor's got a corner on the "favorite child" market after this. Lock-stock-and-barrel. He's such a suck up! ;)

20 comments:

Lauren said...

what a precious post! and praise God for healing your mom!

seriously girl, you're gonna hve to do something about that favorite child status...you may not have a chance! ha!

Anonymous said...

Loved this post! Happy to see that your mother was blessed to overcome her battle!

Lynsey said...

What a lovely post. Praise God for healing your mom! Thinking Pink all October and every day from now on.

Jamie Lapeyrolerie said...

Aww! Love this!!

Amanda said...

That is such an inspiring and heart felt story! The sorority I joined in college years ago, ZTA, raises money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation every year and we always come up with fun new ways to help support! And...it's a small world. My hometown is about 30 miles east of Augusta in SC. I grew up going to Augusta ALOT, as my hometown is very, very small! Prayers for your mom as she continues to fight the fight!

Liz said...

YOUNG TIMOTHY. What a haterade. Also, I kind of can't get over the fact that you were a tomboy and never wore pink. I mean, did you at least wear animal prints?!

AND I didn't know 32 was Taylor's number. That was Kate's basketball number. THUS... katetx32

:D

Chic Runner said...

Ah that is so special! I'm so glad he got that for her, not gunna lie, I teared up a little bit as this is such an important cause to me as well! Glad he is raising awareness for such a great cause and that it's so special to your family as well! :)

Sara McCarty said...

I love the posts where you talk about your family. They all seem so incredibly awesome. You guys are really wonderful kids and your parents must be equally wonderful and so proud of you all.

sandi g said...

okay, so vick's not the only one who cried like a baby! she is so special to many, but being her cousin and having all the memories of growing up that we share is such a tremendous blessing and honor! she is truly one in a million! our race is always done with her in mind. :)

Jillian said...

This is amazing!! How awesome and I am so happy she is doing well!!

Savannah said...

This is such a sweet post and gift idea! I live in Louisville and had no idea they made pink sluggers! I'm definitely going to bookmark this for future fighters. Thanks for sharing.

Katie Norwood said...

This is just about the cutest thing ever. Love it! I feel your pain with the favorite child issue. My salsa does the hunting/fishing thing with my dad, so I don't have a prayer. Cause we all know that ain't happening.

melissa said...

Your family reminds me so much of mine. Love when you share stories about them. My sister and I are always joking (okay, semi-joking) about how our baby brother is my mom's favorite. Your brother is so sweet! Love the pink bat & jersey.

Hilliary Meisner said...

This is a wonderful post and story, I loved reading it. I am glad to hear your mom is a survivor, and that she is doing well!

Vanessa said...

Wow, what a beautiful story! I'm so glad your mom is a survivor, praise the Lord!

Our house was pink waaaaay before it was all over the place too. My grandmother had breast cancer back in the 90s. She ultimately lost her battle in 98 but we still feel very strongly for finding a cure. <3

Lindsey said...

What an amazing gift! Your mom is such a blessing and she is obviously so blessed by her kids. :)

Sarah said...

What an amazing gift she has received, both from God and your brother! Isn't God awesome?! Love him!

Sarah O said...

What a wonderful gift and story! It so nice that your family can show your mom how much you care about her.

Kelsey @ Seattle Smith's said...

Thank goodness for fighters and survivors to celebrate with PINK!!!!!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

How awesome that your mom beat it! And your bro rocks...It's going to be hard to top that! :)