Three Years (Pt. 2)

What can we say about January 7, 2010 that hasn't already been said?  Not much.  Doesn't make us think about it any less.  Doesn't lighten the load of remembering. Doesn't convince the bus driver to go park somewhere else.  It still pretty much sucks.

So what I'd like to do on this third anniversary of Charlotte Jennie's metamorphosis is to offer you music that reminds me (Daddy) of her.

The Great Remember from the CD Rare Bird Alert is the latest tune that has her spirit all over it.  The moment I saw this video of Steve Martin playing his original clawhammer banjo composition during his tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers, I thought of her. It has a beautiful, yearning melody and yet there are still wonderful elements of Martin's humor as he tunes before he plays.

Radiance is a vocal version of a Keith Jarrett improvisation recorded by Julia Dollison and Kerry Marsh.  I believe Kerry's sister put together the video slide show.  It's heartbreakingly beautiful and very difficult for me to watch.

Charlotte certainly loved Dora The Explorer.  She learned several Spanish words and phrases watching Dora and after her first surgery, when she started being able to speak, she counted to 10 in Spanish for us.  It meant an awful lot to hear her do that.

The Chanticleer version of Franz Biebl's Ave Maria is another heartbreakingly beautiful piece and I can't hear it without thinking about Charlotte and becoming a blubbering mess.  (The link comes complete with fireplace)

I believe someone introduced us to  "Two Thumbs Up" by Johnny Bregar after Charlotte died or near thereabouts.  It has become one of our official theme songs and Johnny has been tremendously generous to give us permission to do pretty much whatever we want with his recording.  We promise not to abuse that trust.

Here's another song that someone sent to us after Jan 7, 2010.  It's Jonatha Brooke's version of Woody Guthrie's, "New Star."  The lyrics are actually fairly odd but it came to us at the right time and now it has all kinds of meaning Woody never intended, I'm sure.

Of course, you didn't think I was going to leave out the Disney angle, did you?  Let's start with the last movie Charlotte saw in a theater, The Princess and the Frog.  There isn't a tune on the soundtrack that DOESN'T make me think of Charlotte and there was a time when I would obsessively listen to it every morning when opening up at Romp n' Roll (much to the chagrin, I'm sure, of the rest of the staff); however, I will include my favorite song from the movie, "Gonna Take You There."

How about some Little Mermaid?  "Part of Your World" seems so ubiquitous; so completely over played but it's a Charlotte song so I don't think I will ever get tired of it.

Next comes Mary Poppins.  I don't remember exactly when this movie became one of Charlotte's favorites but all of a sudden, it was all she wanted to watch.  So here's "Let's Go Fly A Kite" which has become one of our unofficial theme songs.

Last but not least by any stretch of the imagination, here's Charlotte's favorite version of Charlotte's favorite song, Frosty The Snowman by Dan Tyminsky.  We actually have a video of Charlotte dancing and sort of doing karaoke to this song.  We also have video of several former NFL players singing this to her on her birthday on July 9, 2009 in the the Nelson Clinic at Children's Hospital of Richmond.  THAT was something to see!  Waddya know? You can!  Here!

I'm sure I've left off dozens of songs and I'll probably be adding a tune here and there for days.  Please feel free to add your own song if it reminds you of CJ.

Today, we invite you to have a chocolate milk toast in honor of Charlotte and if you'd like, eat some "dadoo" (Cheerios or "round cereal") and mac n' cheese.

We love you so very much, Monkey Butt and miss you every day.

Our Board of Directors & a NEW video!

I don't have a lot to report BUT I did have a few items of note:

Our board meeting was this evening. As usual, it was productive. We have a lot going on and I think the next 3-6 months are going to be very exciting for the foundation. We are very close to launching our application process for families needing financial assistance. We will also be moving forward with some exciting fundraising options in the next few months. Have to put some ducks in a row but the wheels are in motion. [Can I use any more cliches?]

As this was our first official Board meeting since the passage of our Bylaws, we needed to hold elections for officers. Our Executive Committee will be spearheaded this year by John Toscano (Chair/Treasurer), Emily Starrett (Vice Chair), and Meredith Hayes (Secretary). I don't know if we have had an opportunity to recognize the members of our Board here, but I suppose now is a good a time as any. The Board is rounded out by the following members: Kim Thies, Pam Myers, Lauren Coe, Jay Campbell, and Dr. Anna Madland.

Our other major announcement is to present a marketing video that we have created. Once we redesign the website, this will be the introduction to the site. There's a copy of it currently on YouTube but it needs a little refining (for some reason the music cut off at the end). You can view the video in its entirety here in the blog and I will post it on Facebook as well. I would recommend having tissues handy though. I created it and have viewed it SEVERAL times and it still makes me a little weepy every time I see it. I guess that's the point, right? Our emotions inspire us to do great things for the greater good.

CJs Thumbs Up Foundation (CJSTUF)

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The music is a song called Two Thumbs Up by musician Johnny Bregar. We found him and this song quite by accident (Thanks Cara!) and he has graciously given us permission to use the song within the video. Go buy one of his CDs in honor of CJ. Pretty good kid's music if you ask me!

Poor Roger is feeling the harsh effects of seasonal allergies. Here's hoping he feels better soon!