September Twenty-eighth; When a Come Apart, is a Come Together

It happens.

Life sometimes hands us stuff that sends us right to the edge of a come apart. I wrote a little about that yesterday, ‘come apart’ old time southern slang for losing your cool. There are obviously, some things in life that send us far beyond losing our cool. Things happen that if allowed, can send us to a very dark place. A place where the pain, the loss, the heartache can place us dangerously stuck. Trapped in a cold, dark, empty place. We can stay there, or we can take what placed us there, and turn it around.

When I battled breast cancer, I quickly became an advocate for taking better care of one’s health, for regular mammograms, for education, for research. When we lost one of my brothers to Leukemia, the battle for me intensified. When something feels wrong, when you feel sick, don’t put off going to the doctor. If that doctor doesn’t help you, and you don’t improve, go to another. Don’t let it go too long. Before anyone says anything, I know all about the talk that there is a cure for cancer, it is simply kept from us because… I know that the big organizations are accused of this and that and the other thing. I know many of the places that sell items for this cancer or that cancer, the shirts, the hats the what ever, that money goes into their pockets for the most part. Not to help. So I know that. This write is not about me, or about research per say. This, is about a come together.

A little over a year ago, I joined a group called Just Jeepin’ for a Cause. I now owned a Jeep, I wanted to feel a part of a community but, which one. My son knew someone who is a member of this group so he suggested joining it. I had seen social media posts about it and some of the things they were doing. Nervous, but determined, I joined. The first gathering I attended was not far from where I live. It turned out to be small for how many they usually draw but that was a good thing for me. Nervous as I was. As I have made mention, I don’t drive a Wrangler and that is what you mostly see. I am assured time and again, it says Jeep on the front of my Compass, so its a Jeeps, its accepted. I was-am accepted.

Over the course of this past year, I have watched this group- this family- in action. They plan many events to get together. At times only a few can attend, at times it appears as if the location is being invaded from the number in attendance.

Their main goal, doing what they are able to benefit others. Last Christmas, this group filled a warehouse with toys for Toy for Tots. They were part of back the blue parade and others. They were part of Relay for Life. They hold 3k’s to raise money for local charities. But the biggest thing, is the heart this group has for children. All children, not just theirs. They have done birthday and welcome home drive by’s just to bring a smile and a gift or two or fifty.

Just a small portion of what was collected and donated

Now, in a few days, they are coming together in a big way. On October 2nd, at a local church, this group will hold their third annual Jeep Show and Shine event. It is a benefit fundraiser for their chief charity, the Love Like Lauren Foundation. A foundation created when one of the founding members of the group, lost a child to cancer. Lauren. Who I am told loved life and those she met, deeply.

You can find it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovelikelaurenfoundation/

and here, https://lovelikelauren.com/?fbclid=IwAR2IHFAAPF-_ThjOwzFGDxsLs8fSLssNa2AcStAU0X01DA7yZgcqxraaJC0

Saturday, the Just Jeepin’ for a Cause, family will come together for this event, as one. Over the past weeks I have watched members working hard to bring this to fruition. I have watched moments and discussions that could have caused a ‘come apart’ become a come together as logistics are worked out. Members, meeting to go over plans. Members cleaning the church grounds before, and plans to make sure the grounds are immaculate afterwards. Members going about their day to day, ducking jeeps with the cards advertising the event. Members sharing photos, sharing information online. Members having a come together for a purpose.

Saturday, should be amazing. If you’re local or happen to be passing through, y’all come see us. There will be jeeps, there will be vendors. A blood drive,Jeeps, raffles, auctions, Jeeps, food, friendly folks who drive Jeeps. Current reports are showing that the weather is going to be nice, what I’ve witnessed show the people are going to be nicer.

Not a come apart y’all, a come together. A come together for a wonderful cause and purpose. For the children.

Hope happens, when we come together and show the world that we care.