Friday, December 21, 2012

ALMOST CHRISTMAS

 
15th to 21st December 2012

Only four days until Christmas, what does Christmas mean to you?  To me it is about love, laughter and giving to others.

That is why for my final fundraising event of the year for The Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation Brain Tumour Research Fund, I decided to bring joy to others at Christmas as well as raising those so desperately needed funds for research by having a Christmas Light Display.

I organised exactly how I wanted the display to look with a light nativity with an Angel watching over and a colourful flashing star.  I have my special wooden decorations; Mr and Mrs Claus and some very lovable elves and Dad and I even made our own Santa's Workshop to complete the scene.  Then on the rooftop is a Santa in his sleigh and a Santa stuck in the Chimney (I think he had too much milk and cookies).  Then there are four reindeer, a train, a Santa with stars, a Santa coming down the chimney, a Merry Christmas Sign, presents, a flashing tree, a glittering Santa, a small sleigh, Candy Canes, optic fibre trees and more flashing lights

I have even had buskers, a bubble machine, nail painting, special little treats and gifts and even Santa, Mrs Claus, elves and an Angel have appeared.

My goal has been to raise at least $500 for the fund, the lights finish on Christmas Day and then I will find out the grand total.  I must thank Dad, Mum, Nalani, Jarrett, Monique, Annie, Sarah, Sue, Anna, Tass, Gloria, Carla, Steph, Emily, Tess, Sarah M, Dianne, Alex, Kay, Gail, Jake for their contributions as well as the many people who have made donations.  It is because of your Christmas spirit and giving that we can contribute to research to one day find a cure for this hideous disease.

My favourite thing about my Christmas Light Display is seeing the joy on people's faces who have come to see it, their joy has lifted my spirits and made me feel that I have made a difference to their lives.

On Sunday I had a little concert for my family, every year I have done it for my family as a gift for them.  This year I sang some of my favourite Christmas Carols for them.  They really enjoyed it and gave me the hugest hugs at the end. 

I had my weekly physiotherapy appointment with Kaitlyn, it was so wonderful to have her work on my painful spine and also my sore right heel using the ultrasound.  She has truly been my guardian angel this year, just as Rhiannon was to me before she left Canberra. 

Later in the week I was lucky to have morning tea with Imogen, she lost her son Benny to a brain tumour in 2009 if you would like to read about his story you can go to this website http://www.bennywills.org/, they are doing fundraising for brain stem tumours.  She has a beautiful new baby boy, Sam and I got to meet him, he is just so gorgeous and he did not want to let go of my finger. 

Today Tess came to visit me, it is always so splendiferous to see her and her cuddles are so lovely and she always makes me smile.  My Nana and Pop also arrived today, it will be so magnificent to spend time with them over the Christmas period. 

Apart from pain killers, physiotherapy and heat packs, hugs are a wonderful way to take away your pain.  I feel so fortunate to have people who hug me and help take some of my pain away.

Over the next few days it will be a time of seeing other family and friends and sharing this wonderful time of the year with them.  

Wishing my many followers a very Merry Christmas may it be blessed with love, laughter and precious memories and may your New Year be one that you will seek to achieve goals, don't be afraid to try something new, or to reach out and help others. 
 
 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere,

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Christmas to me is about family, friendship, smiles on childrens' faces, carols and remembering the birth of Jesus. Have you ever read 'Fox in the Manger' by P.L. Travers of 'Mary Poppins' fame?

I wish I could see your Christmas Light Display and donate.

What a wonderful gift for your family!

Thank you for the link to Benny's site.

Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Love,

Michael

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere,

'Fox at the Manger'.

Love,

Michael

Harold said...

Dear Dainere

You are a really brave and inspiring young lady.

I can only relate in a small way. I had cancer as a very young child (Hodgkin's disease) but after radiotherapy (early 1960's) it was (luckily) many decades of fairly good health until I had side effects from the treatment; another batch of treatment 5 years or so ago and I'm still plugging away. One never knows how things turn out and I try to treasure each and every day; !

My wife & I visited briefly and enjoyed your wonderful Christmas Display. I took a couple of brief videos for our kids (who are having a sleepover today; shame they couldn't come!).We hope your fundraising activities go well.

All the Best For the Future.

I Hope All Your Christmas Wishes Come True!

Harold & Family

Anonymous said...

Dear Dainere,

Thought that I would leave you Christmas wishes in two places! Merry Christmas and happy new year! Best wishes to you AND your family. You truly are an inspiration to all, and you have certainly helped me through any problems that I have had.

Love You lots.

Love Allyson!!! :D