In Lieu of Birthday Cards...
I’ve given up my birthday.
Ditching the cake. Swapping the candles & nursing no desire for a single card. Don’t you mail me… I repeat: Don’t You Mail Me.
Birthdays are nice. Sure. And 24 is sureeee to be a lovely age (though I have a clear disdain for even numbers and would rather plow for 25). But I don’t need to celebrate 24 years of dancing on this earth because clearly I’ve been dancing for 24 years of this and I’ve got it good. Got it Great. Got it Better than I could have ever hoped for and I don’t need a single thing.
So join me, please, in forgetting my birthday this year & buying a graduation card instead.
Her name is Eilis.
Her father passed away from cancer nearly two years ago and it hit the family hard. “He was the kind of father who got down on the floor to play with the kids, teased them but not too much and was firm with his expectations. Eilis was closest to him...her favorite parent.”
This year, Eilis turned 18. Had her senior prom in April. Will graduate in June. Head off to college in August.
Her life is happening. All. Over. The. Place. & just 5 years off from that very spot in life, I know how Crazy. Chaotic. Overwhelming. But Exciting it can be.
Eilis’ mother came to me with the hope that I would gift Eilis with a love letter for this brand new chapter in her life.
The first thing that came to my mind? Screw my birthday, y'all need to help me with this one!
So...
If you love me, if you support me, if you have ever believed in a single thing that I do, then I need you… right now… to help me gift Eilis with the best bridge possible from High School to College.
In lieu of birthday cards, I am asking for graduation cards. Inspirational cards. Cards not to be opened until after Eilis arrives at college. Cards for Eilis in the Every Day of her life as she pursues her dreams with the memory of her father tucked close to her heart.
Be creative. Raid Target (the aisles are packed with grad cards!). Make playlists. Write what is on your heart. Tell your friends. Help me gift this girl with the best Bundle of Love Letters possible.
This time (and this time only) I am forgoing the More Love Letters PO Box for my own snail mail. Please send all letters & cards to:
Love Letters for Eilis
33 Belvedere Rd
North Haven, CT 06473
Please be sure to postmark your love letter(s) by June 5th.
Please & Thank You.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to dancing...
