It's a hard realization today to see that I haven't blogged in over a year. In no means does it mean I don't think of Preston, as I think of him daily. I know part of it is due to the lack of time I have to do leisure activities, and the other part has to be that I don't need to get things off my chest like I did a couple years ago. I do hope to be able to blog again soon, whether it be about loss, being a mom to a rainbow, or anything else that I've found to make life a little easier (I finally started meal planning and omg, life changer!).
I've recycled parts of the lower post... i just feel like some parts of it I've perfected as much as I can, so apologies, if it feels like you've already read some of this.
Thanks for still following me along my journey and helping spread happiness around the world... the world can certainly use it...
Happiness
is like jam. You can't spread even a little without getting some on
yourself. - Anonymous
I keep
using this quote, since it best describes what #SpreadHappinessForPreston is
all about. Spreading happiness should not only make someone’s day, but it
should make you smile as well.
For
those of you unfamiliar with #SpreadHappinessForPreston, it is a day/movement I
created to honor my late son Preston. I wanted to find a way to honor his
life and memory and this is what I came up with. Each year, on November
19th, his birthday, I ask everyone to spread happiness in any way they
can. My son was the embodiment of happy. Hardly ever cried, and
although he only lived for four months, he gave me so many smiles which still
brighten up my days.
Preston
was taken from us in March 2014 when he passed during a nap at an in-home
daycare from SIDS. While I take Preston's birthday as an opportunity to
honor his life by attempting to have others spread happiness all around the
world, I think it's also a great opportunity to bring awareness to SIDS which
is sadly something real. One of those things you hear about but never
really think will happen to you. SIDS is filled with questions as no one
really knows what it is, or what causes it. There are many theories out
there, but it's very difficult to determine if any of them are plausible. I
do hope and pray that one day, we can answer the question of what causes SIDS,
and really what is SIDS. In the meantime, all we can do is do everything we can to reduce
the risks, as
there is really no way to prevent it. It's a frightening fact.
Having
lost a baby to SIDS, having another child was terrifying, but one day at a
time, we make it through. Preston’s sister will be turning 2 in December,
which means SIDS is something I fear less. Now I get to have all the
regular fears other parents have! The first year was definitely a
challenge. Sleeping with the baby monitor inches from my face (ok, I’ll
be honest, I still do…), checking on her constantly in the middle of the night,
etc. Samantha definitely has a wonderful guardian angel in her brother. J
Back
to #SpreadHappinessForPreston - It is the fourth year that I am
promoting this event. Anyone and everyone is invited and encouraged to
participate. The premise is to share happiness on this day. Since
Preston radiated with happiness, it only seemed fitting that sharing this
contagious feeling would be the best way to honor him. This world can be
so cruel, and I believe we can always use a little more happiness and light.
The beautiful thing is that, like the quote above says, completing an act
of kindness not only makes the person on the receiving end smile, but it surely
makes you smile as well.
Preston
continually teaches me life lessons, an irony that I have a hard time grasping, as I
should be the one doing the teaching. Nonetheless, I don't take any of it
for granted for it's made me a better person. He's taught me how to smile
every day, because he wouldn't want me to always be sad. He's taught me
how to appreciate the small things, and not to take anything for granted.
He’s shown me a new way of looking at life; perspective is
everything. He continues to slowly help me regain my faith by sending signs in
the shape of rainbows and bunnies. Often times, when I get a nervous
feeling about my daughter, he'll send me some sign that she's doing alright -
like in the middle of the night if she hasn't moved in a long time and I'm
about to check on her, she'll suddenly make a little sound or turn to her side
(still happens to this day). My daughter does have quite the guardian
angel!
November
19th, Preston's 4th birthday, will be a day I hope brings happiness to as many
people as possible - including you. I hope it to be a day where everyone
can spread a little happiness in the world. A pay it forward day, or a day
filled with acts of kindness. A day where smiles inundate the world, and
happiness is just felt everywhere you go.
For the
past three years, on November 19th, random acts of kindness were made all over
the world to honor my little boy, thanks to people who read my blog (which I’ve
totally neglected this past year L) and friends I’ve made along
the way. I know it sounds crazy, but it somehow reached all the continents.
My little boy and his smile continue to travel the world and I hope they
do forever...
I'd
like to share some of the acts of kindness that were done to serve as
inspiration, and perhaps even to make you smile:
·
Several of my wonderful coworkers bought multi-colored balloons to
be released for Preston's birthday (he loved colors).
·
A star was named for Preston
·
Books were donated to a school in Preston's name
·
Donations to charities were made (SIDS foundation of America,
Children's Hospital, and several others)
·
Larger than normal gratuities were given away
·
A memorial stone was given to us with Preston's name and birthdate
·
Teddy bears were given to underprivileged children; toys were
given to charities
·
Doors were open for strangers
·
Treats were brought in for colleagues
·
Trees were planted to honor the children another family had lost
·
Flowers were given away, just because
·
Every year, my husband brings pizza over to the firehouse, for the
men who tried to save our son (while pregnant, Preston would move like crazy
when I ate pizza)
·
Diapers and wipes were donated to struggling mothers
·
Lunch was bought for the person waiting next in line
·
Many people gave to food banks or gave away gift cards for a warm
meal
·
Buy a lotto ticket for the clerk that sells them
·
Samantha's daycare plans to read Preston's favorite book to all
the kids that attend the daycare on November 18th, since November 19th is a
Saturday this year
·
Breakfast was made for a spouse that was running late
·
Popcorn & cash were taped to RedBox machines for people to
enjoy a free movie and treat
And
those are just some of the acts of kindness that were shared with me in the
past couple years. As illustrated above, remember that money isn't
necessary to spread happiness:
·
Hugs
·
Smiles
·
Saying things like "I love you" and "I appreciate
you" to loved ones
·
Share your favorite funny video or picture
·
Cook your child's, or spouse's favorite meal
·
Ask someone "How are you - really?" and listen
·
Share happy memories or stories
·
Think of someone you haven't thought of in a long time, and send
them a text - letting them know you thought of them, and it made you smile
·
Volunteer to help someone or an organization
·
Pack a lunch and give it to someone in need
·
Give blood
·
Let people go in front of you while in line
·
Donate unused clothes, toys
Please
keep in mind that if you do make a donation, it does not have to be in
Preston's name. Make the donation in the name of someone that means a lot
to you, or to someone close to you. Make the donation to a charity that
means a lot to you. While Preston is the driving force behind this event,
the point is to spread happiness around the world - the more people it touches,
the more proud of my son I am. He is creating this happiness. Without
him, this special day would not exist.
At the
risk of repeating myself, much like the quote I shared at the top of this
message, the added bonus of spreading happiness is that it has the contagious
effect of putting a smile on your own face. Much like Preston's smile was
contagious, and continues to be thanks to the fabulous invention of
photography. The world can be such a dark place. I hope that
Preston's birthday, this year, and for all the years to come, makes it a
brighter world, even if only for one day a year. One person at a time,
one act of kindness after another.
I
invite you to share your random acts of kindness on social media using
#SpreadHappinessForPreston. You can also share through email (tsunaze1@gmail.com) or on my blog's
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SpreadHappinessForPreston
I hope
that you plan to join me and that #SpreadHappinessForPreston makes you smile.
I have cards that can be handed out when you do pay it forward. If
you are interested, I'd be more than happy to send you one (or more - spreading
happiness does not have to end with one person, one act). Simply email me
for more details. If it's not too much to ask, please share this with
your friends and family. The more people spreading happiness, the happier
the day will be.
You
have my sincerest gratitude for considering participating and sharing this
event. It's my hope that not only you will make someone smile, but that
in the end, it also makes you smile.
Have a
blessed day!
