And so the purpose of the calendar unfolds…

I am going to make it a point to share each and every one of the stories that are shared with me, and let each of you who have followed this project so closely & supported it so wholeheartedly, and have just been a “fan” of mine in general experience the joy that I have experienced throughout this project. I’ve had the unique opportunity of listening to and reading several stories that together tell the story of WHY this project is so important, that tell what this project represents… and showcase how very personal this Calendar is to so many in our community along the Emerald Coast.  It’s more than just having your child in a calendar, as these stories show… it’s about having your child represent something so truly close to your heart.

So here is our next story, courtesy of Jennifer Jones, proud mamma to Miracle #11, Hayden Jones. Grab a tissue, and don’t say I didn’t warn you (These are her words…)

Wow, where do I even begin to explain how important this whole thing is to our family. Like so many other people in this world cancer has touched our lives not just once, not twice but three times in the last 3 1/2 years. My father was diagnosed with lung cancer in September of 2005 and while the doctors seemed hopeful at first it quickly became evident that he was fighting a losing battle. After a couple months of treatment there did not seem to be anything else the doctors could do for him. On top of the added stress of the diagnosis, the trips back and forth to treatment, and all the doctors appointments for my dad my husband and I were trying to decide how to explain what was going on to our 2 1/2 year old son in a way that his little mind could comprehend. We had stopped taking Hayden to see his Papa once the treatments had started and dad became really sick and frail. The last time that Hayden spent quality time with him was in October. We lost my father on December 20th of that same year but during those last few months there was only one day that Papa was strong enough to be with his only grandson. All the medical equipment at their house and the fact that he was hooked up to an oxygen machine was frightening to our little boy but he missed his grandfather so much that he quickly over came his fear and sat with him at the kitchen table. The week that they sent dad home from the hospital with round the clock hospice care my sister and I along with our husbands and our mom never left dad’s side. Hayden spent much of that time with his other grandparents which only added to his confusion. When dad died and their house was back to “normal” we took Hayden over to see his grandmother, Harmony. He never stopped asking for his Papa and looked all over the house for him. What made it worse was that dad’s truck was still in the drive way so Hayden knew that he should have been home. I don’t actually remember when he accepted the fact that his Papa wasnt coming home but imagine our devastation, not to mention Hayden’s heartache, when Scot’s father died unexpectedly less than 3 months later of basically the same thing. Words cant begin to explain what that little boy was going through! Well, they say that time heals all wounds, dont know that I agree with that but life did go on and each day became easier than the next. With both grandfathers being gone Hayden became extremely close to the father of a very close family friend. Hayden loved to go see Mr. Arnie and talk about tools, the North Carolina Tar Heels, or just sit and watch a football game with him. This past summer Mr. Arnie became very very ill and Hayden immediately picked up on the fact that something was not right. He refused to talk about Mr. Arnie being sick and became very angry. When Mr. Arnie did pass Hayden did not say much other than he did not understand why God would keep on taking away people that he loved. Hayden did ask for a shirt that belonged to Mr. Arnie and for several days he would wear it around the house. He has since put it away but will not tell me where..”In a special place!” is all that he will say. What do you say to mend the hurt in a 6 year old’s heart? No child should ever have to endure the pain of losing so many people in such a short amount of time. Our family’s prayer is that the money raised with this event will aid in the healing of someone else’e aching heart. Hayden’s number in the photo shoot was MIRACLE 11 but to us 3 is the perfect number.

And here he is himself… Hayden Jones, Miracle #11: