Reason to Celebrate

Today marks another year of celebrating Clara’s Special Day. It’s the anniversary of Leah’s first cancer surgery when she was five months pregnant. Both mom and baby were under for three and half long hours on the operating table. In post-op, Clara’s heartbeat and kicks came back from the anesthesia in amazing form— strong, playful and steady. Every year since our little family has made this a special day.

Why do we celebrate?

Why do we remember?

Why now, when both mom and baby are healthy and strong?

It’s a way to acknowledge the blessings that come out of really hard and scary times.

It gives us a chance to show our daughter in a meaningful way that she is strong and she is loved. 

It remind our kids (and us) that we will do all that’s within our power to protect them and will hold them close when pain has to be endured that is outside of our control.

We get to eat cake with chocolate frosting and dance with glow sticks.

It’s part of her story, part of our story, and stories need to be told, cherished and passed down. The funny, the heartbreaking, the miraculous, the ordinary— these are our treasures.

Here’s to you, Clara Elizabeth Grace. Our strong, playful, steady amazing girl. 

You are loved.