Posts Tagged ‘ads for jonathan’

celebrating labor + generosity

Monday, September 3rd, 2012

Today in the USA, we celebrate Labor Day. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, this is what it means: Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Here’s a shout-out to everyone, everywhere, who has a strong work ethic. No matter what your job, your industry, your schedule – I am so thankful to those who work hard to make things happen, to strengthen our nation and our communities, to make other people’s lives better. Most of all, I’m grateful for my job as a mother and I hope that those of you who are mothers (single, married, working, stay-at-home) realize that this role truly is our most important work.

Today I’m feeling especially grateful to individuals and companies who take their work ethic to the next level. I am grateful to those who decide that being generous is an essential part of being in business. As most of you know, my brother Jonathan is very sick. David and I launched Ads for Jonathan as an effort to pull together donations to help their family. We are so thankful to our Project Manager Brandi who stayed on top of it all, my brother Andrew who got all of the ads on my blog, and most of all – the many individuals, families, and companies who chose to contribute.

As of September 1, my sidebar is now full of sponsors who have contributed to my brother’s family (100% of the donations went to them), including many who donated but didn’t necessarily place an ad (see some of their notes by clicking on the blue button at the bottom of the ads called Notes for Jonathan’s Family). These ads will remain here through the end of October. I encourage you to check out so many fun products, services, and web sites. And even though our window is closed for placing ads, anyone is welcome to still add their donation. Just email brandi@beckyhiggins.com with what you’d like to do.

Today I wanted to highlight a few companies (who didn’t know they were going to be highlighted on my blog). They have individually said to us – we want to do more. They have gone the extra mile to contribute even more to my brother’s family. Cool products? Yes. Generous? Absolutely.

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We would like to introduce you to Peter who owns Fire Safety 4 Homes. Fire Safety 4 Homes is donating $10 to Jonathan and his family for every Flame Responder sold.

The Flame Responder is an automatic stove-top fire suppressor designed to protect residential kitchens from the dangers of fire. It easily attaches with a magnet to the underside of a vent-hood over any stove. The coolest part is it automatically activates when the flame reaches the bottom of the canister. Click here to learn more.

During checkout, please enter 4Jon in the apply coupon box.

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Linda is an independent consultant for Scentsy. She graciously has offered to give 100% of her commissions now through the end of October to his cause. Wow.

For those of you who doesn’t know about Scentsy - they began with a simple idea: A safe, wickless alternative to scented candles. And who doesn’t love candles? You can go here to learn more about Scentsy.

All you need to do to help donate to Jonathan is go to Linda’s Scentsy page. Be sure to click on “Fundraiser for Jonathan” under “My open Parties.”

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Rachel & Amy have a fabulous etsy shop - filled with all colors of nail polish goodies. Their newest creation was made in honor of Jonathan. They are donationg half of all their proceeds from this bottle to Jonathan and his family. You can purchase the Jonathan nail polish here.

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Cookie Lee Independent Jewelry Consultant Deanna Rippeon is also donating 100% of her commissions from now through the end of October. Sheesh! Let me tell you why this one brought me to tears. Deanna is one of my childhood besties. We grew up together and I’ve been so happy to see her successfully enjoying her work in the jewelry industry. The day we saw her email, I was speechless. I still am.

You can help donate to a great cause and accessorize all at the same time! Visit Deanna’s shop here.

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Last, but certainly not least, our brand-new Project Life designer Heather Bailey, has generously offered to donate 10% of her sales to Jonathan’s family. And to make the deal a little sweeter, Heather is offering to give away a bunch of freebies to each of you when placing your order.

Heather’s online store carries  some of the cutest fabric designs out there as well as other fun items. You can check everything out here.

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There is so, so, so much good being done in the world. Every single day. There are so, so, so many good people. Good families. Good businesses. Good organizations. Thank you to everyone doing a little good – a lot of good – in your own way.

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why this matters.

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

I know lately there’s been a huge emphasis on all the new products. We’re all so excited, and it really is fun to think about the cool designs and practical memory-keeping solutions that will be in our hands later this year. It feels completely appropriate to constantly remind ourselves of why this matters, what this is all about – not just the Project Life system, but the idea of documenting life at all, in any format.

We received an email from Michelle in Michigan and with her permission, I’m sharing it here because I know without a doubt this will be just the inspiration that someone will need on cultivating a good life – and recording it.

From Michelle: I am on my second year of Project Life with last year being my first attempt. Documenting for it gave my whole family more pictures of my dad than we would have had had I not begun the process. Your inspiration as well as others (Ali Edwards especially) led me to document as much as I could those last days together—even before we knew they were the last. While still painful to look at, I am forever grateful for those pictures … capturing that last year.

In the spring of 2011 before his cancer returned, I was able to take some random, un-posed and incredibly beautiful pictures of my dad that I will always hold dear. Without all of the encouragement, I might have not picked up my camera as often. My dad had been “cancer-free” for only 6 months (though we suspect not as free as we had hoped), but we were blessed to have him an incredible 16 months post diagnosis … longer than many others. As you said, time is just so precious and should be cherished, even and especially when the days turn so painful, heart-wrenching and difficult.

My heart breaks for your brother, his family and your entire family with the days ahead … and yet, it is moments like these that make you truly understand what loving and cherishing family and friends is all about … in this gift of life we are all given. As someone who works in estate planning, I have seen moments of passing tear families apart, but God blessed my parents and my family as my dad’s passing (incredibly painful as it was) brought my 2 sisters, brother and myself even closer than before. I pray those same blessings for you and your siblings.

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That was Michelle’s email to accompany the donation that she was making to my brother’s family. She did this in memory of her dad who passed away in October of last year from esophageal cancer. It goes without saying that I am deeply moved by her email, very grateful for her donation, and further inspired to keep on photographing + preserving memories.

If you missed the post about my brother, please check it out. It truly was the most difficult post I had to write, but I have been – my family has been – very moved by the outpouring of love and support and generous donations. The deadline to place an ad on my blog with 100% of the donations going to Jonathan’s family has ended this week. Those ads will all go live this Saturday.

However, ANY donations in ANY amount from ANY person, family, organization, or company – are still welcomed and so, so, so appreciated. If you are able to contribute even just a few dollars to my brother’s family to help ease the burdens they’re facing, email brandi@beckyhiggins.com and she will let you know how simple it is.

 

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jonathan.

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

David, Jonathan, me in Maryland 2 weeks ago. My mom got that shirt for him a while ago and it’s the truth: Colon Cancer IS a real pain in the butt.

When we all found out that my brother Jonathan was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer last December it was like someone punched me in the stomach. I can’t even begin to imagine how that news affected his wife and children.

But he fought. And he continues to fight. He’s been through a full course of radiation therapy and continues to undergo chemotherapy. Jonathan is strong and amazing in so many ways. He is a devoted husband and father, insanely talented (including the very coolest architect handwriting you’ve ever seen), and incredibly selfless as he serves tirelessly in church and his community – all his life.

Of the 1,200+ blog posts I have published, there has never been a more difficult post to write.

Our family learned recently that the chemotherapy has lost its effectiveness and the tumors continue to grow. To say this is breaking our hearts is an understatement. Jonathan’s suffering has consumed me. I think about and pray for him constantly – as well my sister-in-law, their children, my parents, my other 4 brothers. And there are many, many more (his employees, colleagues, students, youth at church, friends, neighbors) who are heartsick about what Jonathan is going through.

Our family has a tremendous amount of faith and there is no question in our minds about God’s eternal plan of happiness for every person that comes to earth. I don’t usually use my blog to share much about my personal life and I haven’t said much about Jonathan’s battle or how it’s affected us this year. But there is something really special about a community of people (you being part of my community) who can make a difference in someone else’s life when they face heavy challenges. I’ll come back to that. First I can’t help but share a few pictures.

The cowlick. The shirt. Honestly, could he be cuter?

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Me + my brothers + sisters-in-law a dozen years ago. Jonathan and his enthusiasm in the top-right.

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A couple years ago when we met up for lunch during his layover in Phoenix. We live on opposite sides of the country so we were happy to get even just an hour or so with him as he passed through town for business.

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David and I went to Maryland to be with Jonathan and his family in February. This was a day or two before another round of chemo.

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Hanging out during chemo. My sweet parents have literally been by Jonathan’s side during all of this.

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Jonathan & Tina have raised Eagle Scouts. Last week Jonathan mustered up all the strength he had to be there for Tyler and Spencer’s big night.

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My mom has spent much of her time keeping her hands busy, crocheting blankets for family members lately.

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Taken just 2 days ago. Back: Spencer is 15, Tyler is 18, Tina is Jonathan’s sweet wife of 20 years.

Front: Garrett is 11, Jonathan (just 42 years old by the way) and Kristyn is almost 9.

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Every. single. day is precious.

This is true for Jonathan. For his family. For all of us. Even though our family is spread out – from China to the western U.S. to Maryland – each of us has been able to spend time with Jonathan in the past several weeks. What an honor – although a heartbreaking and humbling experience for each of us. And yet it has been an incredibly enriching and blessed experience. I love Jonathan and his family with all of my being.

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In situations like this it’s easy to feel helpless. David and I want to do something that will help Jonathan & Tina’s family during this incredibly difficult time as they face so many challenges and ultimately, as they transition to the next chapter in their life. The financial burdens they are facing are unquestionably very difficult.

Anyone who would like to send a donation to Jonathan’s family will have the opportunity to place their ad on my blog sidebar. The ads will be published on September 1 and stay there for 2 months – through October 31. As you know, I don’t have ads on my blog. I have never monetized my blog. This is a very unique opportunity to do something so helpful while also enjoying the benefits of fantastic exposure for your business. 100% of the donations will go to Jonathan’s family.

Anyone who would like to donate – even in a small amount – can most certainly do so without necessarily having to place an ad on my blog if you don’t want to.

Whether you are a company or a family or an individual … whether you already know Jonathan personally, or you don’t … whether you want to place an ad on my blog or remain anonymous in your donation … email brandi@beckyhiggins.com with what you’d like to do, and she will let you know the next step.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for even considering to help Jonathan and his family.

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Hug your family. Spend more time together. Don’t let unimportant, trivial things take away from cultivating stronger relationships with those who matter most.

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