What is ubuntu? "In Africa, there is a concept known as UBUNTU – the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others." – Nelson Mandela.
So in the spirit of ubuntu, I invite you to join me in celebrating my 3rd blogoversary!
Date – 18th to 21st February. I've allowed 4 days to make it easier for you guys, since some people only post once a week… save the date that coincides with your blogging schedule!
You can join on her blog. The details are there and it's easy with lots of options. This is perfect timing for me. Every year around this time a wonderful, heartwarming event takes place at Penn State University. Penn State has received some bad press(lots of it deserved) in the past few years, but none of that minimizes the wonders of the annual Penn State Dance Marathon to raise money for the Four Diamond Fund at the Hershey Medical Center.
The Four Diamonds Fund, started by a family that lost a child to cancer, has made its mission to conquer childhood cancer. The fund insures that no family will suffer financial difficulty while their child faces cancer. They pay EVERY cent of medical care not covered by insurance. They do other supportive things for the families and now fund research also. The Penn State Dance Marathon, lovingly called 'Thon' by everyone connected in any way to Penn State, has raised more than $101 million dollars for the Four Diamonds Fund.
If you speak to a Penn State alumni, one of their warmest memories of attending the sprawling university will be of Thon. So many students want to participate, they can't all fit on the floor. My youngest son, who is senior, is excited to have his first chance to be on the actual dance floor this year.
The students work all year to earn money. They come home on weekends and stand at major intersections to beg money from cars stopped at red lights. They canvas business for pledges. During the weekend long Thon, cancer patients and their families give inspirational talks, thanking the students. There are tears by the buckets. There are families who have lost their children to the dread disease, there to thank the students. This year one of them will be our very close friends who lost their son last spring. Nick had been a speaker at previous Thons.
The Penn State Thon reminds me of all that is good and compassionate in the world. Sometimes as we age, we worry about where the younger generations are going. If you ever witnessed Thon, you would find comfort in the sight of all those young people working so hard for no personal gain. This week at PSU it's FTK, for the kids.
Thanks, Michelle, for the perfect timing of this hop and congrats on your blog anniversary.
