Skip to main content

Getting some perspective while shaving my head!

Image
By

The posts on this blog usually relate to updates in divorce law and advice on how to experience a better and less traumatic divorce.  Divorce is considered to be the second most traumatic event a person can experience, and we find that helping our clients get through that experience is fulfilling work.

But last weekend, I participated in an event where many of the people had experienced the most traumatic type of life event: the loss of a family member to cancer.   At the One Mission Kid's Cancer Buzz-Off, 450 participants and their families gathered to support the families of kid's with cancer, and the event was an amazing success that I was honored to be a part of it.

While I am lucky to have two healthy daughters, there was a time in my oldest daughter's life where she had to spend one month in the hospital.  It was the hardest thing my wife and I have ever experienced, and I can't imagine how hard it is for families with children in cancer treatment which can last, not just months, but years.

So when I heard about the Buzz-Off event I decided I could put my long hair to good purpose and through the generosity of more than forty donors, I was able to raise more than $1,500 for the event.  Overall the 450 participants raised $560,000.

This past Saturday, June 3, 2012, I attended the Buzz-Off with my family to fulfill my promise to those donors of shaving my head.

The Buzz-Off was held in the club seat section at Gillette stadium and was very well organized.  There was face-painting and balloon animals for the children and the head shaving kicked-off around 9:30 A.M. with Rob Gronkowski starting things off.  After Rob, there were numerous interviews with the families that were shaving their heads together.  While I waited for my buzzing at 11:00, I listened to the reasons that so many others had been inspired to raise money as well.

One story in particular stuck with me, where a father described how he and his boys were shaving all of their heads in memory of their 18 month old child who had died of cancer.  All of us were there to help families just like his, and his strength in memory of his family's sacrifice was truly moving.

So if you see me in the next few weeks with my buzzed hair, consider it a reminder of the real sacrifice that many families experience and remember that whatever you may be going through, a little perspective never hurts.  I hope by sharing this experience with you that you will find it as inspiring as I did.

I want to thank everyone who donated and supported my involvement in this event.  If you want to learn more click the below links for:

More information about One Mission's Buzz-Off program;

Pictures of the Buzz-Off 2012;

Registration for the Buzz-Off 2013; or

You can still DONATE for the 2012 event until September.

THANK YOU!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the purpose of the Divorce Nisi waiting period?

By
In Massachusetts the statutory waiting period after a Judgment of Divorce and before the divorce becomes final (or absolute) is called the Nisi period. After a divorce case settles or goes to trial, a Judgment of Divorce Nisi will issue and it will become Absolute after a further ninety (90) days. This waiting period serves the purpose of allowing parties to change their mind before the divorce becomes final. If the Judgment of Divorce Nisi has issued but not become final yet, and you and your spouse decide you don't want to get divorced, then you can file a Motion to Dismiss and the Judgment will be undone. Although many of my clients who are getting divorced think the idea of getting back together with their ex sounds crazy, I have had cases where this happened. In addition to offering a grace period to change your mind, the Nisi period has three other legal effects: 1. The most obvious effect of the waiting period is that you cannot remarry during the Nisi period, be
74 comments
Read more

Does a Criminal Record affect Child Custody?

By
If one of the parents in a custody case has a criminal record, the types of crimes on their record could have an effect on their chances of obtaining custody. In custody cases the issue is always going to come down to whether or not the best interests of the child might be affected. In the most extreme case, in which one parent has been convicted of first degree murder of the other parent, the law specifically prohibits visitation with the children until they are of a suitable age to assent. Similarly, but to a less serious degree, in making custody and visitation determinations the court will consider crimes that would cause one to question the fitness of a parent. These types of crimes would obviously include any violent crime convictions which could call into question whether the children would be in danger around a parent who has shown themselves to resort to violence when faced with conflict. In addition, drug and alcohol abuse offenses would call into question a parent&#
65 comments
Read more

The Questions that Lawyers and Mediators aren't asking but should: Let's talk about Pronouns

By
I recently had the opportunity to train with two of the most prominent mediators in Massachusetts: John Fiske and Diane Neumann . Each time they run a training, John and Diane share what they think is the most important question for a client to answer to have an effective mediation. John says that he thought the most important question is "What do I want?" But then he will tell you, with a knowing smile, that Diane disagreed with him and she would say that the most important question for a client to answer is "Who am I?" I agree with Diane. The best lawyers and mediators ask their clients not just about what they want, but also deep questions about the clients' identity, goals, and values in order to help the clients resolve conflict in the most effective way possible. Despite knowing this, we often fail to ask clients the simplest questions when we first meet them or have them fill out an intake. We fail to give them an opportunity to answer the question “W
2 comments
Read more