a few weeks ago i posted about my heavy heart. the day sharlie left for palo alto to await her double lung/heart transplant, i felt desperate to do something, ANYTHING to help.

and i crumbled.

and then suddenly i felt God’s peace in knowing that this may be my opportunity to give just a tiny bit back to this earth angel of mine. after over 25 years of playing the best friend and confidant, of holding my hand,  making me laugh until i cry, and preaching the greatest sermons never told through her faith and determination, this was it.  i knew i could not physically take the pain away, but there had to be something i could do.

me and sharlie circa 2003

because how can i not?

would you believe it if i told you that this beautiful woman survives on 18% lung function of ONE lung? that she is vibrant and loving and happy and courageous even though she struggles with every breath? that she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy even though her doctors begged her not to and told her she would not live through it? that at 32 years old, she wears oxygen full time, and somehow finds the beauty in it?

i know. it is hard to believe. i  know her story inside and out and have seen her struggle most of my life, and i still don’t believe it. and i complain about how to decorate my house and not getting enough sleep. ridiculous.

yet, i struggle. because, what can i do to help?

see, that’s just it. when your best friend has a life threatening/degenerative/terminal illness such as cystic fibrosis, you spend days, weeks, months, YEARS feeling helpless – like there is nothing you can do to make it all better. and really, all this time, all i could do was pray and be there when she needed me.  but this? this is different. she is a wife. she is a mother. she is the most beautiful woman i have ever known. and finally, something i can do. $250,000 in medical bills? we can do this.

i racked my brain- i had to figure out a way to help. i called on my other best friend and partner in crime and brainstormed. and together we called on all of our amazingly generous and loving and wonderful and talented friends in the creative community. and today i finally get to share with you what we’ve been working on. Introducing:

rather than simply asking you to donate to Sharlie’s Medical Fund, we have put together a shop full of the most incredible tutorials, patterns, printables, and advertising opportunities. every penny we raise will go to Sharlie and her sweet family.

{insert happy, grateful, humble tears here.}

{for reals.}

(by the way: do you know how uplifted i have been as i have heard back from friend after friend after friend -many whom i have never met in real life!- saying “yes! please let me help!” ? i have to grab a kleenex just thinking about it. to you, my friends, thank you. i know you don’t know sharlie, but you know me. and i thank you for caring enough about me to care about my friend. MUAH!)

and you, dear readers? thank you for letting me share my heart here. and for giving in my to my pleas to go shop till your hearts content!

do you want to help? spread the word!  let’s see what miracles await us!

and one million billion kajillion thanks to those who made this possible, for the which i will always consider them DEAR FRIENDS:

Aly from Blossom & Vine
Amanda from Every Creative Endeavor
Andrea from Knitty Bitties
April from Funky Vintage Lovely
Ashley Ann from Ashley Ann Photography
 Danyelle from Dandee Designs
Deanna from Domestic Chicky
Desiree from the 36th Avenue
Emily from Emily Sparks Handmade
Emmy from Much Ado About You
Heather from Angel Face Designs
Heather from Whipperberry
Jamielyn from i {heart} Nap Time
Julie from Joy’s Hope
Kristyn from Lil’ Luna
Lara from Less Cake More Frosting
Linda from Craftaholics Anonymous
Lindsey from the Pleated Poppy
Megan from Brassy Apple
Nicole from Olive Blue
Rebecca from Simple As That
Stephanie from Somewhat Simple
Summer from Domestic Nest
Traci from Beneath My Heart

if you want to learn more about sharlie, visit her blog or her give forward fundraiser page.

if you want to learn more about cystic fibrosis, check out the cystic fibrosis foundation.

now hurry, go shop!!

want to know what else?   The other fundraising efforts for Sharlie have been done through Give Forward and raised over $46,000 so far!! The amazing people from Give Forward (thank you Ethan!) have agreed to match up for $500 when we add $1000 in donations to that total. This is separate from Shop for Sharlie but we would REALLY like to get $1,000 to add the $500.  If every person reading this right now added a dollar to the pot MIRACLES would happen!  THIS SPECIAL MATCHING OFFER IS ONLY GOOD FOR 48 HOURS. Please help us spread the word.  You can donate right over there…scroll up and to the right —–>>

Thank you again to Give Forward!