I asked my principal if we could do some things for American Heart Month at school. She quickly said, "Yes," and also said I could do a few things to raise money for the Batson Heart Pillow/Blanket project! Our teachers donated $5 to wear blue jeans on National Wear Red Day (although we had to re-schedule due to being out on 2.2.11 for inclement weather), and many even bought red t-shirts from AHA along with bracelets and paper hearts for the wall. Our students, had a competition between homerooms with a "Heart Sticker for Heart Patients" sale. They purchased heart shaped stickers to put on their classroom heart poster as a donation. The 4th and 5th grade class with the most stickers, receives a nacho party. I was amazed by how giving our students were- they really wanted to help our heart patients and were very competitive in doing so! Many of them asked me if it was going to help kids like Avery, and when I told them yes, they were thrilled! Mrs. Lewis's class bought almost 600 stickers for the top 5th grade class, and Mrs. Smith's 4th grade class bought almost 500!!!!!! I asked our Quest teachers (who've already volunteered their services for making blankets as their community project) to make some posters with heart health facts to put in the halls. As you see below, they did such a great job, and even made me tear up when I saw my sweet little Avery on a poster! I also sent emails for awareness of Turner Syndrome, heart disease, and CHD to our staff, and created a slideshow for students to view in homeroom. I was worried that with all we have going on- it's been a busy year- that I may be asking too much, but everyone was enthusiastic and happy to help!
During my difficult pregnancy and throughout Avery's circumstances, all of my friends at Pearl Upper have been there for me. We were put on countless prayer lists, and some of our staff even formed a prayer group to pray for us after school. They cried with me as if it were happening to them, and gave to help us when we needed it the most. When I didn't want to talk about things at school, they went about the day as if everything was normal. They donated sick days and money to ensure we'd be taken care of, and followed us throughout our journey with support. Words cannot express how grateful I am for them, and how much I appreciate their continuous support whether things are bad or good. I hope that others feel love like that when they are facing tough times, and that I can pay that forward with the Cross Healed Hearts Ministry. I know it may seem that "good of me" to have started this whole thing, however, it helps me just as much as it helps others. It is somewhat therapeutic, and I continue to feel closer to God in doing what He has been encouraging me to do.
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