Hello! First of all, Wally and I would like to thank you for the sweet birthday wishes you offered him. He had another good day on Tuesday, hiking and swimming, and we plan to take him for his first camping trip this week. I’m sure there will be photos of that adventure coming soon, but first…
It’s been a busy week – all fun stuff – and I haven’t done much stamping. I’m on vacation, actually. It was supposed to be last week, but… long story short, our family time was cut into somewhat and we’re trying to make the most of it. I did finish a project for a friend, just a little something, so I thought I’d share that, at least.
This is the story of Andrew – 8 year old Relay for Life Team Leader. Yes, 8 years old. When his mom became involved in Relay for Life, Andrew started asking questions, and he was dismayed with the answers. How could there be such a cruel disease as cancer for which there is no cure? What could be done about it and how could he help? His concern and interest were so genuine, his mom agreed to let him become involved in the fight for a cure, and soon Andrew was heading up his own team.
He devised a few fund raising schemes, one of his most successful projects being the selling of kisses. How cute is that? He walked around with one of those cardboard sandwich signs advertising kisses for $1, and he made a bundle! His longest running and most popular endeavor, though, was his jungle-themed lemonade stand. He set it up at home shows, mall events, office lobbies – to name a few. When Mom wasn’t busy with her full time job and homeschooling her two boys, she was making jungle juice and other jungle goodies to stock the stand, not to mention negotiating the set up with local businesses, and, with Grandma’s help, hauling that stand all over town. Whew! Andrew was the salesman, though. He manned the booth, pitched the sales, and made the change – all under Mom or Grandma’s watchful eye. A real team effort!
Wish I had a better picture, but all I have is a photo of a photo. Andrew’s mom asked if I would make a frame for this photo – two, in fact. One for her and one for Grandma. She provided the mats and frames and I did the alterations.
I had to make quick work of it in the time available or I may have taken a step back and seen where I would change or add something. However, my friend, Andrew’s mom, was pretty thrilled with it, and that’s enough for me. I watercolored and cut out the gorilla and jungle foliage image for each frame. You can see more about the stamp image here, if desired. The papers are all from the DCWV Animal Crackers Matstack.
Mostly, I wanted to tell you about Andrew because I think it’s a pretty special story about a pretty special boy. I hope, someday, his efforts will help someone in need. Thank you for listening.
FABULOUS Leslie!!~
Posted by: Cindy haffner | 06/29/2011 at 05:07 AM
What a enterprising young fellow with lots of heart! Your matting of the pic is great-love the cutouts!
Posted by: Bev J. | 06/29/2011 at 06:15 AM
cute. Lots of inner strength. Will be good as he grows older.
Posted by: yogi | 06/29/2011 at 06:27 AM
Wow, what an inspiration this young man is! Fabulous frame Leslie.
Have fun camping with Wally.
Posted by: Tammy Hair | 06/29/2011 at 06:31 AM
Wonderful story! Gorgeous frame too. Thanks for sharing Leslie.
Posted by: Holly | 06/29/2011 at 06:52 AM
Delightful story and darling frame, Leslie!
Posted by: Lisa Dolson | 06/29/2011 at 07:17 AM
What a great kid! He's going to go a long way!
Posted by: Marian Bonney | 06/29/2011 at 07:38 AM
Awesome Child! With a smile like that who could resist a kiss! LOL Love the frame!
Posted by: Mirnada | 06/29/2011 at 07:50 AM
He IS a special boy - how awesome! Great frame, too. Enjoy your vacation. (Ours is coming up and we're headed in your direction.)
Posted by: Lynette | 06/29/2011 at 08:15 AM
What a special young man!! Your frame is super--what an awesome keepsake for his mom and grandma. :)
Posted by: Emily Keaton | 06/29/2011 at 08:31 AM
I'm sitting here crying. What a great young man! Thanks, Leslie, for sharing. Great frame you made.
Posted by: SueB | 06/29/2011 at 08:41 AM
What a wonderful young man! We can all learn so much from children. The frame that you made is fantastic!
Posted by: LaurieJ | 06/29/2011 at 10:32 AM
Andrew's mom & dad can be so proud of him & of themselves for raising such an awesome child! We can all learn a lot from the loving hearts of children. Your frame is perfect & I know will be a cherished treasure in their lives.
Posted by: Sherri Dean | 06/29/2011 at 06:32 PM
Leslie, you're amazing too! What a kind thing to do for Andrew's mom and grandmother. With the kind of sensitivity this young man has shown, he'll appreciate your effort as well. The jungle motif is the prefect way to showcase Andrew's Jungle Tiki juice business. We can all learn a lot from Andrew.
Posted by: Susie | 06/29/2011 at 07:27 PM
Wow, imagine if he can do all this at 8, what he will be doing when he is 28! Amazing awareness for such a young age! Enjoy your vacation!!!
Posted by: Sue Kment | 06/29/2011 at 10:14 PM
Wow! What a very sensitive and insightful young man! And a go getter to boot! What an inspiration! And what an Adorable frame too! Thanks for sharing this wonderful story! And I sure hope you are enjoying your aVacation Miss Leslie! 8-)
Hugs
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon White | 07/03/2011 at 02:58 AM
What a fantastic, big-hearted little guy! THanks for sharing Andrew's story with us...he's very inspirational. :)
Posted by: Colleen Dietrich | 07/05/2011 at 06:51 AM
Such a special young man and neat booth, love your framing of the picture. Hope you enjoy your vacation, we took Peanut with us on our trip and I think it was a little too much for her, next time we will have to kennel her.
Posted by: Conniecrafter | 07/05/2011 at 08:12 AM