This season is beautiful and deeply emotional. We are so fortunate to be able to give back to the community that gave us so much when Danny was so ill. We are able to give back because we’re surrounded by generous friends who give their time and energy to keep the Happy Smackah alive. We are able to give back because we are part of a community who believes in community. Our greatest hope was that the event would be something people in the St.Vrain community “just do” every year. It’s what we do.
Well, we’re there. Right now we have nearly 800 participants signed up to join the Happy Smackah Fun Run, and we have a wealth of generous sponsors and tons of donations. This will be our biggest Happy Smackah ever, and we are so excited to support an amazing woman who is battling stage four colon cancer.
I’ve written before, about my student who shyly but confidently proclaimed, “What happened to Mr. Cribby is terrible, but look at how much we can all help others now.”
It’s so humbling to know that the love and support that was given to us is now fueled into a machine that keeps on pumping out more love and support. It’s moving beyond these words I try to craft.
Danny is a humble man, and last year, when we met a number of people who had no idea who he was or what he had to do with the Happy Smackah, well, Danny was one Happy Smackah. It is just as he wants it. Something we do, something we help with, but something that is not about us but is about the larger love of this community.
We are grateful to be given the opportunity to help others. In the early days of blogging on Caringbridge, I signed off with gratitude and goals. I try to still do that, even as I blog about education, technology, and cats.
Gratitude: a huge outpouring of support and love for an amazing woman and her beautiful family.
Goals: The Happy Smackah continues to be something folks in our community “just do.”