This month’s “Live Your Best Life” challenge is especially near and dear to my heart. As we watch the penny jar fill with lucky pennies for the MACC fund, I count my blessings like those pennies.

As many of you know, my two-year-old son Thomas was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia about a year ago. We spent six months living at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin as he received intensive treatment made possible by the MACC fund. We participated in a MACC fund research protocol that saved his life.

We are so lucky to have a cutting edge children’s cancer research program right in our own backyard. Your pennies and the dollar match from Liberty Dance Center truly do make a difference for families like mine!

The community at Liberty helped me through some of my darkest days when I was afraid for my child’s life. I know my story is rare, but it is not unique. Some of our families have experienced personal losses, trauma, and hardship over the past year. Yet, Liberty Dance Center is a place where we come to rally around those who are hurting and need our love the most. It is a safe haven for dancers and their families alike.

Count Your Blessings

Do I have my moments of weakness and worry? Of course I do. I pray that Thomas’ cancer never returns and he lives a long, healthy life. So far, so good! In those moments, I find it helpful to count my blessings.

As we focus on this month’s penny challenge, don’t forget to count your own blessings: a safe home where you can sleep in peace at night, healthy bodies that can move for the joy of movement, a dance community that supports more than just great dancing.

Like those pennies in the jar, our own gifts and blessings are many. When I count my own blessings, I count Liberty Dance Center twice.