“Some things are meant to be, the tide turning endlessly, the way it takes hold of me, no matter what I do.”
– Lyrics from Some Things Are Meant To Be
Listening to my daughter sing the words to this song, at the tail end of what was a truly magical day, reminds me of why I know I am on the right path, and how it’s taken hold of me… no matter what I do.
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For months this moment has been building. I was fortunate enough to be asked to MC a tremendous charity event, The Breast Lunch Ever, to benefit the Tyanna Foundation. The honor had been bestowed upon me nearly six months before the event was to take place. As the time passed, I cherished a lofty vision in my heart, worked hard, and realized it.
The Breast Lunch Ever is a reality only because of the tireless efforts of a team of dedicated, beautiful women who make up the committee. And yesterday’s event was about as good as it gets. No, it was better. These ladies know how to throw a party for a higher purpose. Every detail was handled flawlessly, from the vendors who filled the rooms and hallways at Woodholme Country Club to the clothing descriptions for the fashion show, to the featured speaker, the visionary Dr. Neil Friedman. It all went off with barely a hitch, and if there was one, we made the best of it, mistakes are simply opportunities for ad-lib. It was easy, just follow the lead of the co-chairs of this event, Jill Mull and Amy Kowitz. These women are a true force of nature, and their passion and pride and sense of humor is infectious.
(btw ladies…I need more pictures!!!)
Thousands of dollars were raised for the Tyanna Foundation, (www.tyanna.org), dedicated to improving the lives and helping to fund the latest treatments for breast cancer victims… hundreds of hearts lifted because of a truly remarkable day.
My vision was realized as well. From adversity to author and publisher. Yesterday I sold my first copies of It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story. My thanks to survivor Anne King who was the first of many to honor me by making the choice to buy the book and share our story. The journal I kept during my wife’s breast cancer journey is now a real book because it is being read by someone else, many others in fact, meaning the next journey is underway. We are sharing the message, they are peering into the window of my heart and they are witnessing a hero in action… my wife.
My thanks again to the Breast Lunch Ever Committee for not only allowing me to sell my book at the event, (with half the proceeds going back to Tyanna), but also to read an excerpt from the journal to all in attendance. It goes beyond meaningful to magical that it has all happened this way. The excerpt I chose to read aloud to the nearly 300 women in the room, was the one I wrote the night before my wife was to go into surgery for a double mastectomy, the dramatic decision which eventually led to her being cancer-free. Which in the end, is all that really matters.
Two days ago when I brought the book home for the first time, I gave a copy to both my daughters, Sophie and Emily. I don’t mind admitting it was a moment of pride. But then as I was driving her home from her voice lesson late yesterday afternoon, Sophie read to me what she was about to post on Instagram, it was an excerpt from the book. As she read it aloud, I realized it was the same exact excerpt I had just read to the group at the charity event. Unsolicited, Sophie had chosen to post the same words from my heart, and share them with the world. Talk about my heart skipping a beat.
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“And some things will never die, the promise of who you are… All my life, I’ve lived for loving you.”
Those were the lyrics I heard Sophie singing as I slipped in to listen to the last few minutes of her voice lesson late yesterday afternoon… just as the sunlight started to fade on what was a day to be remembered. Apparently during her lesson, Sophie told her voice instructor, the talented Ava Lenet, my book had been published. When I came to pick up Sophie, I noticed Ava already had her money on the piano. I wrote a personal note to Ava in her copy of the book and we started to leave, then she said the words, in front of my daughter, that made my day and touched my heart. She said, “I’m honored to know you.” I told her it goes both ways. Thank you Ava, after a day like that day, I’m simply honored to feel so alive because I now realize one thing… that some things are meant to be.
Until next time, thanks for taking the time.
Mark