Borrowed Angels

First of all, I was excited to see that my blog has been read in the US, Canada, and Europe so far!

This post isn't all about Tori today. It is simply about any child battling cancer. God has blessed me beyond measure this year with so many opportunities to connect with children who are fighting for their lives. With my career goal set to be a Pediatric Oncology Nurse Practitioner, I often times get asked "how are you going to do that?" or "why are you doing that?!" I truly believe we each have different gifts, different tools from God that are to be used to help others. Whether it is working in a hospice/hospital, school, or even in a retail store, there are abundant opportunities to change people's lives. 

I will never forget when I was a young child and I was always so incredibly drawn to children who were bald. At the time I knew they had "cancer," but I didn't fully grasp what exactly that meant. That is until a performance I did when I was twelve. I was casted as the Snow Queen in the seasonal "Nutcracker" performance and was beyond excited to dance my first big role. What I didn't know was that God had something so much bigger prepared for me that night than I could even imagine. Long story short, the performance went great and I loved every second I was on stage. After bows all the dancers rushed to the dressing room to get ready to go out to the lobby to visit people in the audience. As God would have it, right when I walked out into the lobby, there was a girl (about nine) who was bald and weak. While my family and friends were standing behind her waiting to see me, I could look at no one but her. I quickly walked up to her and began talking. She didn't say much, but what her mom said to me will always be a memory in my heart. Her mother simply took my hand and said "you were her favorite." I knew I surely wasn't her favorite because I was the best (which I certainly wasn't!), or because I had a white tutu on. I knew I was her favorite because I had prayed before performing that God dance through me to touch at least one person in the audience. He had chosen her that night. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to work with children who have been diagnosed with cancer; but I also knew it would probably never happen because at the time I was far more focused on my ballet career. God had other plans!

As I am now back home in Georgia and going to school, I volunteer at Children's Heathcare of Atlanta in the Aflac Oncology and Blood Disorder Clinic. I have met numerous children along this journey in my life, and each one has taught me something different. While hospital policy restricts me from using their real names, I have made up ones to fill in the blanks. There was Jeremy who had Leukemia (ALL) as well as downs syndrome. He taught me that no matter what life throws at you, there is always time to sit in bed and read. It may seem like a small lesson, but it's one I am still working on! Then there was Stephanie who had Leukemia (AML). She taught me in a quick few minutes that just because your parents don't care about your health, you still should. Jeffrey taught me that while we may be forced to do things in life we really and truly do not want to do, there is never a bad time to thank the person who is putting up with our attitude...even if it means we have to get more medicine. ;-) I can't forget about Bella. She is living proof that we don't need to be able to talk to impact others. It can be done with a genuine hug, or even a big smile and thumbs up. Sometimes actions speak louder than words- make that a lot of the time. Rachel had sickle cell disease as well as cancer. She also had a disorder that delayed her growth and speech. While tutoring her in math one morning, I realized what it looks like to keep trying, even when nothing makes sense at all. She would write letters as an answer to an arithmetic problem, or color a picture that was supposed to be solved with math answers. She knew she was wrong at one point, and she tried to fixed it all, but she never did stop working. I could go on and on about the small, yet so important, lessons I have learned through these "borrowed angels." 

For those who have read my blog, you have witnessed a few of the many lessons Tori has unknowingly taught me. They will continue to be revealed throughout this blog. The one that I am holding on to the most right now, with so many exciting things in my near future, is the lesson that we all must live our life for God and no one else. We must live for the satisfaction of Him, not for ourselves or others. She time and time again exemplifies this "rule" by her actions and words of faith. She accepts, as do I now, that we are not promised tomorrow. Tori wakes up everyday, makes sure she gets in a cute outfit that makes her feel whatever mood she's in (sweet, sassy, etc), and she goes out with a positive attitude, constantly thanking God for everything in life- big and small. 

With that, be open to those around you who might have only been put in your life for one reason...to teach you something. Those that we tend to try and change or push away, are most of the time those that are meant to change us. Accept that you aren't perfect and that you have a lot to learn, and never ever underestimate the power of a child. 

-Love in Christ,

Leighton

PS. I finally get to go spend the weekend with Tori in Columbus!! I will write a new post after I see her. :)

With all the bad, there is still so much good in this world....

This post is to just reflect on the good that is still out there. I feel that people are so quick to only focus on the bad; whether it's politics, relationships, illnesses, the economy, etc. Through Tori, I have witnessed the good from so many people....big and small.


To start the list off, we have Dan Uggla (Braves player). When I met Tori, I kept hearing all about "Mr. Dan," but since I wasn't a baseball person (YET!) I didn't know who he was. I just knew he brought a lot of joy to Tori. I had heard about him coming up to Tori at batting practice before a game and talking to her, I had heard about him taking pictures with her and signing Braves paraphernalia for her and Hunter, I had heard about the late night texts between the two of them, and I had heard of the Ipad he got for her. The list goes on of everything Mr. Dan was doing for Tori at the time I met her! Then, one night when I was at the hospital with her, him and Janette stopped by to say a quick hello. They had been out all day, and it was obviously late. But the fact that he still made a way to come visit her said a lot. He brought her roses and sat in the hospital bed with her while she asked a list of random questions she had. Dan continues to brighten her day with texts, prayers, and Braves tickets. He surely doesn't have to do any of this, but he chooses to...because there are still good people out there.

The next well known person is Lauren Alaina. In the midst of all her new fame and her career taking off, she met Tori at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and recognized the special bond (doesn't everyone who meets Tori!?). She gave them her contact info without thinking twice about it, and has kept in close contact with Tori. Most recently (this is what I was referring to in the post below), Lauren had a concert with Alan Jackson in Columbus on May 5. She was oh so excited when she found out Penny and Tori could pick her up early in the morning and she could hang out with Tori all day. After spending an afternoon together at the house and going to the Farm House for lunch, it was time to get ready for the concert.

Before the concert, Lauren had invited Tori to sing "Georgia Peaches" with her on stage that night!! This was not only a big deal because thousands were watching, but because Lauren had the heart to share her spotlight with someone who is struggling. Here's a link to the YouTube video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_1UG5msJv8

                                    

The list goes on and on and on of people and organizations that have reached out to help Tori. From Cascade Hills church hosting the Diva Dash, to 93.3 the Joy FM praying for Tori on air, to the Capital City board welcoming Tori with open arms, people are still willing to give up some of themselves to help others who need it.

I have witnessed a man walk up to Tori at the hospital in Columbus and hand her a $5 dollar bill, and I have heard about people paying for their meals when at a restaurant. I have encountered tons of people who have complimented Tori on various things (from her outfits to dancing abilities), to people who have offered all sorts of services and items. 

At the Tim Tebow event this past weekend, people all around us were going out of their way for her! The younger guy sitting next to me gave up his aisle seat just so Tori could see Tim Tebow better. A lady at the church gathered six bibles for her to sit on so she could see better, and a man who had already come up and told her how beautiful she was went and found a pillow to put on top of the bibles. When she started getting tired and leaned her head on my shoulder, the couple behind us just patted me on the back. And yet when Tebow signed footballs were being given away to children only, our whole section was screaming "over here! over here!" while pointing at Tori...even other little kids who wanted her to have a football over themselves. Eventually a man came and put her on his shoulders and ran her to the front of they could see her better. Like I said, the list goes on and on.

God always uses His people for the better. If we can take the time to stop dwelling on our circumstances and look around, we will quickly realize just how much good there is, and hopefully what WE can do to spread the joy and helping hands. 

-Love in Christ,

Leighton

Update on the past weekends

It's been awhile since I have written a post....so bear with me while I try to stay on the same track while trying to remember everything that's happened!!


Two weekends ago I went back down to Columbus to visit and to celebrate being done with my Anatomy and Physiology lab final!! I got there on a Thursday and Tori, Mrs. Laura, and I went to a tennis match. Tori of course had on her big floppy hat and looked precious! She went into the match saying she might want to learn how to play tennis, but quickly changed her mind when she saw how confusing the scoring system was and how easy it is to get hurt. That night we went to dinner and then went back to her house to get some sleep. She has just been through round 8 of chemo, so it was her last night to receive fluids. It is now an unspoken tradition to have "girl talk" before we fall asleep. I was really tired that night, so when she said "Soooo, what are we goin' to talk about WayTay," I asked if we could say our prayers and dream about what we were going to talk about ;) She's too smart to let that one pass!! Since that wasn't an option, we just chatted for a few minutes and she fell asleep quickly. I woke up around 4am to a very quiet "Waytay. Waytay?" I thought it was a dream for a second, but then I opened my eyes to see Tori waiting for me to get up and take her to the bathroom with her hospital pole. It was one of those precious, quiet moments that I cherish.

On Friday morning I had to wake up early and go help with field day at a Columbus Elementary school. It was quite entertaining....the three legged race was my favorite (it's a miracle no one broke an ankle). After field day, I headed back to Tori's house and was really lazy all afternoon with Tori and Hunter. It was definitely nice to just hang out with them both and play mini corn hole turned monkey in the middle. Tori's friend came over that night to spend the night and I went to another tennis match. I didn't get home until REALLY late and I was in trouble! I walked into the house and the first thing Todd (Tori's dad) said was "You better get upstairs, you're in big trouble." I ran upstairs to find Tori in her big bed fighting to stay awake until I got home. Jillian was passed out on  the floor, but not Tori! She glared at me and said "Where have you been??" I explained why I was so late and had to ask for forgiveness :) I won't be doing that again, haha. We had some more "girl talk" and fell asleep. The next morning I woke up to Tori and Jillian staring at me...not sure why they would want to stare at such a lovely sight in the morning, but they were! We all hung out and got ready for lunch at the yummy Farm House. Unfortunately I had to head home after lunch, but it was definitely a fun weekend. It was a different kind of weekend since I wasn't with Tori the whole time I was in Columbus, but I enjoy every chance I get to spend with her...which is why I will never give up late night talks, or rubbing her head. Those are the things that mean the most to her, which in turn mean the most to me.


Jumping ahead a week, Tori and Penny drove up to Atlanta this past Friday. They came to my house and we had lunch, relaxed, talked, etc. Tori and I then got ready for the Tim Tebow event that was being held at 12Stone church that evening. We had both written him a letter and put them in the same envelope. Our mission and prayer was that Tim would receive the letters. We got to the church and I immediately started asking how we could get these letters to him. I knew meeting him was a FAR stretch, but I was praying the letters could somehow, someway get to Tim. After speaking with about six people, I finally spoke to a lady who could do something. She reassured us that she could not hand deliver the letters herself, but that she would get them as far as she could. Ten minutes later she came back to tell us that the letters got to him with no problem! She was told that Tim loves things like that. The actual event was so neat. Thanks to a very special and dear friend, Tori and I were able to sit very close to the stage and have awesome seats. The whole night was filled with listening to Tim and John Maxwell, as well as watching others go out of their way to help Tori and talk to her. Read the post above to see more of what I mean.

 Tori had been craving tacos all night, and when she craves something, you get it! We went to Cinco's after the event and ordered food to go....but it definitely took just as long to get it to go as it would have if we were seated. I didn't mind though because we were able to talk about what we got out of the night and what we both learned. Tori said her favorite part was when Tim was talking about his dilemma in choosing which college to attend. If you don't know the story, I am sure Google does ;) Tori just said that she really liked hearing Tim's story and that it proved to her that even if God is not showing you the way, He is leading you. This led into a conversation about how we both wish we could just call God sometimes, and Tori quickly said she would have him on speed dial!

Penny and Tori were supposed to spend the night that night, but due to Tori's never ending social calendar, they had to leave and get back to Columbus for a very special day! Since this post is already way too long, read the above post to see what this weekend had in store for Tori. ;-)


-Love in Christ,
Leighton