{"id":4787,"date":"2012-09-11T17:27:20","date_gmt":"2012-09-11T17:27:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/?p=4787"},"modified":"2013-01-03T07:05:57","modified_gmt":"2013-01-03T07:05:57","slug":"remembering-sunscreen-and-butterflies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/2012\/09\/11\/remembering-sunscreen-and-butterflies\/","title":{"rendered":"Remembering Sunscreen and Butterflies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

I think Christy would want us to remember sunscreen \u2026 but also everyday miracles like butterflies and the feeling of a child\u2019s hand in our own.<\/p><\/div>\n

When I decided to share my \u201cHands Free\u201d journey with an online community, I had no idea what insight this would bring me. There I was striving to grasp what really matters<\/em> and it appeared, what matters most in life, right in my inbox.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

On January 20, 2011, I received a message from Christy.<\/p>\n

A mutual friend had posted \u201cButterfly Part 2<\/a>\u201d and from that post Christy said she read entry after entry on my blog. She wanted to know if she could read the original, unpublished version of \u201cYour Mother is a Butterfly.\u201d She then added that she was going through treatment for cancer and had quite a bit of downtime with her recovery.<\/p>\n

I sent her the butterfly poem and was pleasantly surprised when I heard from Christy a few months later. She needed to document her battle with cancer for a fundraising flyer but couldn\u2019t seem to find the right words. Although I am uncertain about many things in life, I am certain of one thing; my purpose is to write difficult, beautiful words when someone else can\u2019t.<\/p>\n

As I worked on the wording for the flyer, I felt certain Christy\u2019s story should be shared with as many people as possible. I asked Christy if she would allow me to write a blog post about her. Being a private person, Christy needed time to think about it. But ultimately she decided she would. I\u2019ll never forget her selfless rationale: \u201cIf ten people use sunscreen this weekend because they read the post, or if a few more kids are lathered up because of me, how can I say no?\u201d Christy\u2019s story became one of my most popular posts<\/a>, and many people wrote to tell me Christy\u2019s experience changed the sunscreen habits of their entire family. I completely understood what they meant. I, too, thought of Christy on a regular basis. I often felt compelled to drop her a line just to let her know I was thinking of her.<\/p>\n

Once in awhile Christy would write back and let me know what treatment she was going through. One thing was for sure; Christy was always fighting. Perhaps that is why the email message from one of Christy\u2019s friends came so unexpectedly.\u00a0 I blinked back tears as I read her friend\u2019s words, thinking surely there must be some mistake\u2014not courageous, beautiful, strong, determined Christy \u2026 not the woman who had become a hero to me and so many \u2026 not the amazing mother of three who would defy the odds and outlive us all.<\/p>\n

Christy passed away on September 1, 2012 in the presence of her loving family. For several days, I had no words, only heartache. But then inspiration came\u2014I like to think from Christy herself\u2014offering a chance to save one more.<\/p>\n

The following pledge is how I will live out my days here on earth\u2014inspired by Christy, the remarkable one whose life was the epitome of grasping what really matters<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In Your Honor<\/strong><\/p>\n

In your honor, I will wear sunscreen.
\nEven when it\u2019s cloudy. Even when I\u2019m in a hurry. \u00a0Even I think a little color on my cheeks would be nice.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will smile at the surly cashier. I will smile at those with no smile because I don\u2019t know what battle their facing today.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will say yes to gumball machines and to holding that big, fat toad that will probably pee on my hand. \u00a0Because these things make my kids happy\u2014and one day they will remember I said yes to gumballs and toads.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will buy the pretty undergarments on the same day I say, \u201cYes, I\u2019ll take extra hot fudge.\u201d<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will celebrate the rare occasion when my 9-year-old grabs my hand as we walk through a parking lot. \u00a0And I will relish the unusual occurrence that she leaves her hand in mine far longer than necessary.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will let that agitated driver into the line of traffic even though I waited my turn. I will even wave and wish him well.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will pause for sunsets and butterflies that cross my path. I will acknowledge such things are miracles. Everyday miracles.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will take the stairs. I will take the scenic route. I will take a chance if it\u2019s something worth fighting for.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will carry spare change just in case I see that man on the corner of Clairmont and 30th<\/sup> with a sign that says, \u201cCan you spare some change?\u201d
\nBecause I always have a little hope to spare.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will schedule my mammogram and dermatologist appointments.
\nAnd I will pester my friends to do the same.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will slide my hand beneath the covers until I find my husband\u2019s hand. Not for any reason, just because he\u2019s there \u2026 thank God, just because he\u2019s there.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will sing in the car. I will sing in the shower. Even though it sounds unpleasant. Even though I don\u2019t know the words. I will sing.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will pick up live sand dollars washed ashore on Hilton Head Island and place them back in nourishing waters. Because you loved Hilton Head Island. And because you would save anyone, anything from pain and suffering if you could.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will stop prefacing sentences with \u201cwhen I lose 5 pounds\u201d and \u201cwhen things slow down.\u201d<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will live life now, not \u201csomeday.\u201d<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will call my sister at least once a week. Even if it goes to voicemail. Even if all I say is, \u201cHave you heard the new Citizen Cope <\/em>album? I think you would love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will listen to my child\u2019s heartbeat at bedtime. I will let her listen to mine. Even if she does it to stall going to sleep.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will say, \u201cI am sorry.\u201d Even when it\u2019s difficult to say. Even when I think the other person should say it first.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will visit my kids in the lunchroom until they say, \u201cNo more Mom. I am too old for that.\u201d And then I will periodically ask\u2014just in case that\u00a0is the day they were hoping I'd ask one more time.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will keep writing the stories providentially placed on my heart. For that is what brought you to me.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will bless the butterfly that crosses my path. For you taught me everyday miracles are abundant if we just open our eyes and look for them.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will not let life pass me by.<\/p>\n

In your honor, I will wear sunscreen.<\/p>\n

*****************************************************<\/p>\n

I leave you with Christy\u2019s ultimate wish taken from her post, \u201cWhere The Sun Doesn\u2019t Shine<\/a>\u201d \u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to see awareness raised about melanoma. I would also like to see tanning beds banned. Teenagers are too young to understand the extensive damage that tanning beds can have on their skin.<\/em><\/p>\n

People think that skin cancer can be easily removed, and then you just go on with life; I know I did. People do not realize skin cancer can be deadly. It is the fastest growing cancer and affects more people than prostate, breast, colorectal and cervical cancers combined. One person dies every hour from skin cancer. \u00a0I don\u2019t understand why no one is talking about it.\u201d \u2013 Christy B.<\/em><\/p>\n

In honor of Christy, talk about skin cancer. Talk about sunscreen. Talk about living and loving like today matters, because it matters.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

*Thank you for being a part of \u00a0The Hands Free Revolution<\/a>, a community of people striving to let go of distraction and grasp the moments that matter. <\/em><\/p>\n

If you are interested in expressing love and support to Christy\u2019s family, memorial contributions should be made to the Christy Barford Memorial Fund c\/o any 5\/3 Bank.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I decided to share my \u201cHands Free\u201d journey with an online community, I had no idea what insight this would bring me. There I was striving to grasp what really matters and it appeared, what matters most in life, right in my inbox.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4790,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[246,79],"tags":[869,870,871,868,472,867,470],"gutentor_comment":37,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/314171_138658859610981_863456126_n-e1347370563181.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1fUJF-1fd","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4787"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4787"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4787\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}