There are 6 days left on the countdown to July 5th. Instead of hiding from that day we are choosing to celebrate HOPE and what it stands for. Thank you Gene for always standing by our side and guiding us with eternal HOPE. You and your family have made this dream a reality. With much love and respect to you my dear friend.
April Loposky June 30, 2012 July 5th will always be a difficult day. I‘ve resigned myself to that. Knowing that leaves us, me, you, all of us with a choice. Be burdened with memories of a horrific attack or find a way to harness the strength of those memories and re-focus the pain of the visions and emotions to bring change, healing & hope to others. I have chosen the latter. The real question is: how does a person do such a thing? How do you work through those memories, break the chains that bind your soul & re-energize your entire being to fight for hope? For me, the answer is simple. Powerful. Follow the light. Not the light of the sun, but the light of a vision. The light of a mom who was left, with her family, to pick up the pieces after unspeakable trauma struck. Her vision. My light. April Loposky is a mom, a dear friend, a member of my family and the Founder & Program Director of Marley’s Mission. It’s a place where children can find hope with the help of some amazingly talented therapists, equine specialists and truly incredible horses. This was her vision. Like most extraordinary ideas, April’s had a few special people that made this vision real. First, was a strong, beautiful then-5-year old little girl. Her spirit was dampened by the brutality that humanity is sometimes capable of. But April and her therapist, Ann Cook, would not let her fall. She wouldn’t succumb to the memory of that night. She would survive. Her courage, her will to survive and her untapped potential were simply remarkable. They both knew that. A word about Ann Cook. Or two. Or three. Actually, she is the second reason why the light of hope shines as it does today. Why? Her willingness, her openness to try something different. To push the envelope of healing for this precious little girl. When traditional therapy wasn’t helping as much as it should, Ann didn’t quit either. Her openness to non-traditional therapy began to chart the course to a new future. And the infusion of a horse named Strawberry & her impact on one little girl, sparked a fire in April that today burns bright & strong….providing a source of hope for over 140 children in less than 2 years. With a deep gratitude, I thank each of them: April, her daughter & Ann. I thank them for what they have brought to my life & to my family. A deeper sense of purpose. A deeper sense of community. And, a true awareness of what hope truly is…. Equally important in this equation for me – my family. Laura, my wife and my daughter, Katie. Without their unconditional love & support I would never be able to find hope as I have. It’s rare to find a spouse & a best friend in one person. I have. I’m very lucky & I know that. Katie too understands. She is bright, caring & empathetic. And, of course, she is like her mother, adorable. Her vision. My light. From the talent & willingness of Ann to try a new, different approach. From the heartfelt generosity of our community that allowed Strawberry to become a part of one little girl’s healing, to the vision of April, who decided that the remarkable healing of her daughter should be shared with any child who has experienced trauma….a Mission was borne. Redefining a day. I end where I began. We are days away from July 5th. I have a choice. Remember the pain & the visions. Or stand firmly in a place of hope. Because of the courage & vision of one mom and her very simple request one day in the Fall of 2009, “Are you in?” , I have chosen this year, to choose hope. To April, your daughter, your family, I know this day and the days approaching it will never be easy. But know that my family & I stand with you, as you do for so many each day, shoulder to shoulder, to stare down evil, pain and heartbreak. And bring light…. Believe. I do…
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