This blog post is inspired by a high school friend of mine who has had her life turned upside down by CANCER!
Meet Jeremy and Tara Bricker
There are so many people in this world who are dealing with this awful disease and so many people who die everyday because of it. So many lives turned upside down in the blink of an eye. I find myself wanting to just give it the big old
MIDDLE FINGER!
My best friend in the entire world, Melissa Thompson, had her life turned upside down after having her mother taken from her by cancer. My good friend Rhonda had her life turned upside down when her 6 year old son was diagnosed with Leukemia years ago. It makes me sick. It makes me sad. I know I am not the only one who wishes they could just wave their magic wand and wake up from the horrible reality of seeing their friends and loved ones suffer. It's hard to sit back and just feel helpless. Well...I'm done feeling helpless and instead, I am inspired to make a difference.
The story of my friend Tara and her family is one that for whatever reason has really touched my heart. Please meet my friend Tara Bricker. We are high school friends and let's face it....that was a long damn time ago :) That being said, I haven't seen her since the day I graduated high school which was.....drum roll please (insert the sound of feet stomping on the bleachers)
17 years ago
I know, I know......there's no way I could be that old right?!?
I don't know much about their cancer story, just the effects it has had on their family when she opens up to the land of Facebook and when her husband occasionally sneaks onto her Facebook page and sings her praises so lovingly. That has been enough for me to just feel.......touched and inspired. It's not her that has the cancer.....her husband Jeremy has Leukemia. I have never met her husband nor have I had the pleasure of meeting her 4 beautiful children. Yet, I find myself compelled to tell their story through my heart and help in any way that I can. While I don't know how much I can help......my heart says I need to do what I can.
I have so many blessings in life and so many fans and friends that support me. My fan page alone has almost 3,000 people on it. Surely, I can inspire them to pay it forward. That is my goal, my desire, my wish. This world is filled with so much selfishness, hate, greed and just plain ugliness and while my efforts will only be a very small minute part of the effort to change, I believe that it will matter. If not to millions, maybe thousands, maybe hundreds or maybe just to the 6 members of the Bricker family, but that is enough for me.
This was a fairly recent post Tara made on her Facebook page that really touched me and I would like to share it with you:
"Today is a special day, folks! It actually brought a tear to my eye to be blessed enough to tell my husband and best friend happy 35th bday. It has been a super challenging last couple of yrs for Jeremy. Right after his 33rd birthday he found he has cancer, he lost his precious dad a month after last yrs bday and not long after, he lost his brother, then his aunt. Despite all the things he has had to go through and the discouraging question of how many birthdays...he. has made me proud to stand by his side. This year, since J has been so down in the dumps, I feel obligated to make it a good one. I'm gonna do what I can!"
This just brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. You know she doesn't spend all day posting about how sad she is or how miserable or poor me. She is one of the most thoughtful people I've seen. I always see her posting on other people's pages words of encouragement, support and love. She has even sent me a message or two. Just an example of pure goodness at work. She of course has her days like we all do when she shares her heartache, while sad, I find it beautiful and inspiring.
"Last night Jeremy's fortune cookie fortune said "good health will be yours for a long time" Then he cried. Then I cried. I sure hope so..."
I know I am not a "celebrity" or "famous" by any stretch of the imagination but my time spent with The Flaunt Girls and participating on the reality show Full Throttle Saloon has given me a little more notoriety than some. It's time to use that to help. It's time to use it for the greater good. What good is it if I can't help others?
You know, on my fan page, I have hundreds of photos that I have taken over the years. Pictures that so many of you thank me for sharing each and every day. I do photo shoots and enjoy every minute of the modeling that I am able to do. I get request after request from people wanting to purchase an autographed photo. So, with that....I am going to sell some of my photos and of course autograph them. ALL of the proceeds will go to their family to help with mounting cancer treatment bills.
I don't expect to make a ton of money and most like it will only amount to a few hundred dollars but I am a firm believer that every little bit helps. Most of all, I hope to inspire others to reach out to those they know that are in need and help even if you think it is too small to make a difference.
And the period at the end of the sentence......
Be gracious, be generous, be thoughtful whenever and wherever you can. Strive to touch people's hearts and be a good person. Remember that there is always someone who is struggling more than you and regardless of your own trials and tribulations....you have love to give others.
"I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being." ~ Maya AngelouYour support and graciousness would mean the world to me as I strive to help this family in anyway that I possibly can. Go to my website at http://www.dancewithmeblackhills.com/Merchandise-for-the-Bricker-s.html and view all of the images I have for sale. I will personally autograph them for you and seal it with a kiss. You can also read their "Cancer Story" as Tara conveys it.
Until next time.....Lay it out and ROCK it!
Nichole
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