11-11-11

You know. This is a cool date. And one that I have been thinking about for a while. I am not sure if all are aware of why those numbers are so significant to me. And to tell you the truth, the real reason behind why it became so significant to me becomes hazier as distance comes between us and Jake's being on this earth. But, I'll share with you what I remember.
When Jake died, I began waking up in the middle of the night at 2:11, 3:11, 4:11, etc. I really didn't know what to make of it. I just started realizing I was in a sea of 11's and had no idea why! I shared this strange coincidence with a few friends, one being Jessi at work, and went about my way. I just had a "feeling" it meant something, although, what, I couldn't be sure. So, one day I am in my PT clinic and this physicist was there with his daughter who was receiving therapy. He had been working on a light therapy machine and wanted us to try it out in our clinic. I told him we had one, but he said, we didn't have one like his. When I asked him why his was different, he responded, the entire system is built around the "perfect number". When I asked him what that was, you could've knocked me over with a feather when he replied, "11". Jessi nearly fell out of her deskchair trying to get around the corner to see my expression!! He went on to explain some high falutin' reason in physicist language and cited numerology. Well, being a Christian, I wasn't sure I should "dabble" in numerology, so I actually asked my Sunday School teacher, and even my pastor as I remember, if looking into numerology was a bad thing. Both told me that the Bible is full of numbers/ stories based on numerology and it would be fine. "Just don't let numbers guide youf life." Got it! ANd so I did. I particularly remember one article mentioning that the number 11 is the way someone in the afterlife will communicate with an intuitive in the present world. Ok, don't hang up on me yet!! I know, I know... sounds a little hokey. ANd that's ok. Really! I understand. It would to me too. But after MONTHS of having these 11's surround me and follow me, I just began to accept that perhaps I was actually receiving some sort of universal message from Jake. Call me crazy. That's ok! I had friends who did, but after a few years, they have been shown MANY "coincidences" which have made believers out of them too! Remember when Staci and Don won the millions?! Well, the slot machine they were playing that night (because I went that night and looked at it myself) had two serial numbers on it, both equalling 11!! And I even walked the floors of that place looking and adding up all other series of serial numbers, and didn't find a single other one like that!

And then there was the adoption of Ellie. Remember when they called and she would be delivered on July 11? I was ecstatic. I just knew that was yet another "sign", if you will. Then, she came on the 12th, 2007. I couldn't understand it. I really was at a loss for the meaning of that being a "day late". Until it was brought to my attention that if you add three months and subtract one week, you get the approximate date of conception of a baby. For Ellie, well, let's do it together.... August, September, October 12, minus seven days, is October 5,2006... the EXACT day Jake went to be with Jesus. Not just a coincidence, I think you'll agree!

And then there are the times I have mentioned to Todd and a few others who may or may not think I am a nut that "something is going to happen" or even (once I started realizing what usually DID happen)" someone is about to go to Heaven". ANd sure enough, TWICE, when I was seeing the 11's very regularly, it occurred. Once was a boy,Ryan, in my Sunday School class who had lived with liver cancer for years, and I had no idea he was even on a downward trend until he passed away, being the very week I had verbalized the intensity of the 11 sightings to a friend. And then, again late in the year a few years ago, when suddenly and totally unexpectedly, my step-brother, Rita's son, Dave, passed away. I told both Rita, Dave's mom, and Tracy, Ryan's wife, about the "information" I'd received and that they were safe and sound in Heaven, in my opinion. So, do you think I am crazy yet?! If so, that is ok. Really, it is!! As I sit and type this right on through 11:11 PM tonight, I think about how often I still see that time and STILL it makes me think of my precious nephew EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!!

So, with all that... let me tell you about another 11-11-11 situation. Today, St. Jude is really making a push to get in donations to support the runners/ participants in this year's St. Jude marathon!! TEAMJAKE has 93, yes 93 runners!! That is so awesome!! The runners just cannot know what that means to our family to have so many people still remembering Jake and keeping his memory alive by running in his memory!! We have many who have still not met there $500 minimum to get in to the pasta dinner the night before the event in Memphis. I would love to take this opportunity to help them!!

Soooo.... here is where I am asking for your help!! You can go here...
https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayTeamPage.do?teamId=11091&programId=401&eventId=166948

there is a list of names of people who will be participating in the event and who have not met there $500 to come to the pasta party to represent TEAMJAKE as one big group!! If you are so inclined, please click on one of these names, (or follow the directions otherwise... I haven't made my donation yet, but plan to today in honor of JAKE!!, so I can't promise you I'm telling you correctly how to do it!), and pledge money to be donated entirely to St. Jude. It is for such a good cause. St. Jude gave us a full two extra years with our precious little blond headed angel. I pray you or anyone in your family never require their services, but if you do, you will understand why, after Jake's passing, FIVE years ago, I am STILL and will ALWAYS do all I can to raise money, awareness, and support to help St. Jude's Hospital!!

I appreciate you. And thank you for still loving and believing in Jake!!

Mo

P.S. If you try to pledge money and it doesn't work, just email me (mojoy@att.net) and I will see what I can to do to make sure we do what we can to pair you up with a runner to make a pledge. Thanks!!