It's Not JUST Art

Hey y'all, it's Kacy...I think I'm rounding out the bunch of MoZart Retreaters. I'll be speaking on behalf of myself and my daughter Blue (no, I'm not crazy...that's not her REAL name, but she is 12 and decided that was what she wanted to be called and if you've ever dealt with a 12 year old girl, you understand why that just wasn't one of the battles I chose). We are from Nesbit, Mississippi.

Just a little background, Blue and I met Mo several years ago when she and her family were keeping vigil by Jake's bed in the ICU at St. Jude. I had been following his Caring Bridge site at the request of another patients family that I knew personally. After reading one morning that Hunter and Hayden had been beating each other with pool sticks, I figured the least I could do was go introduce myself to this family and see if they would trust me enough to take the boys out of the hospital for a couple of hours to give everyone a break. On the way there, I was thinking that if I even got past the initial introduction and they didn't ask me to STOP stalking them, I would offer to leave my purse with them in exchange for the kids....This was my first visit to St. Jude, by the way. Mo's dad came down to the lobby area after being called by security to let the family know they had a visitor. He came down and just acted like he had known us forever. He took us right up to the ICU waiting room where the family was literally camped out. Much to my surprise, they didn't think I was a stalker (or maybe they did) and they let Hunter and Hayden go with me and they didn't even keep my purse.
Words cannot express how thankful I am for the courage I was given to take that leap of faith that day. Not only did I spend a wonderful day with two fabulous young men, I had the pleasure of meeting Jake and all of his amazing family. The list of blessings from that simple meeting are too numerous to count. Over the next few months, I spent many evenings in the floor of that ICU waiting room with whoever happened to be there when I showed up. Everyone I met has been a character on Mo's blog through the years and I am a better person because of her. I can't tell you how many times reading her words on my computer screen and seeing the "JOY" that she teaches has turned my day around or changed my perspective on a situation.
Over the years, I have participated in her "art tutorials" and many times longed to know exactly how she painted those canvases. I've bought different things and tried this or that, but none of it worked. They don't sell magic, after all. I bought her jewelry kit and learned to make jewelry with her. I even bought her scrapbook kit and to this day my family is thankful for the scrapbooks they get as Christmas gifts every year. BUT, I still couldn't paint.

SO, when she announced an art retreat, I secretly was dying on the inside to go. I have two teenage kids that play competitive soccer and I am in school full time as well. I figured I had an ice cubes chance in the desert of actually being able to pull it off, not to mention, she only had room for 8. IF (and that's a big IF) I have time to catch the blog on a daily basis, it's usually around midnight. On this particular night, I think it was about 11:30 and she had just posted that she would take the first eight people. So, like any sane woman would do, I screamed and woke my husband up and begged him to go. The retreat was the weekend after Blue's birthday and we would have to rearrange her birthday plans, but I thought it could be worked out because we had "time". I immediately commented to hold my spot. The next day when I told Blue I was going, I got in serious trouble. She was furious that she couldn't go. She made me email Mo and tell her that she needed to have a Mother/Daughter retreat so that she could be included next time. Mo loved the idea, by the way, so be on the lookout. As the time got nearer, Mo announced she had some people that had to cancel. I told her Blue was a willing participant if it wouldn't be an issue to the other women coming. I know I needed this "get away" and didn't want to ruin anyone elses time if they were trying to escape their kids (don't act like you don't think it :)) Mo gave me the approval to bring Blue on that Thursday.... Blue gave up her first Homecoming Dance, missed a day of school (which cost her exemption from semester exams) and a birthday party with friends to go on this retreat. No pressure Mo....

Blue hasn't thought twice about the things she gave up, and the memories that she and I made on this trip are priceless. Mo has a special knack for using her gifts to benefit others and this was no exception. She might as well of parted the Red Sea because the woman taught me how to paint. That was no small task. I painted three canvases last weekend, and so did Blue. As a matter of fact, Blue's pumpkin and Christmas ornament were better than mine. Blue has worn the jewelry she made every day since we got home and has been taking requests from friends to make them things as well. I have been burning EBay up buying beads and things. By day two, Blue affectionately dubbed Mo, "Pro Mo" and it kind of stuck.While the BAH was to die for, and the food was scrumptious, and the art lessons were miraculous, it's the friendships that were made and the JOY that was taught that are ingrained on my heart. Thank you Pro Mo for your sweet hospitality, for allowing me a place to make new friends, and for giving me memories with my baby girl that we will never forget. And you better reserve our spot for the first "official" Mother/Daughter event.

P.S. Pro Mo, don't even think I will EVER forget having my hair styled by the one and only Ellie Sue, in public no less...

(In case you ever thought Mo was exaggerating anything she tells you about Miss Ellie or Miss Gabbi....SHE'S NOT.)