The Tiana Foundation

Today, I was fortunate enough to play in a fundraising golf tournament for The Tiana Foundation. It was an absolutely perfect day for golf at Summit Pointe course in Milpitas, CA. I'm really not much of a golfer; I play maybe 4-5 times a year and usually just for special events. The game is just too expensive for me, and I'm no good, but hey that's not what I'm writing about today.

The Tiana Foundation was started by two very good friends of ours after they lost their baby to a heart defect just hours after she (Tiana) was born. The heart defect was not known about prior to the birth, and her death was an incredible shock to all of us. After a painful period of grieving, they found a new calling in helping others who have gone through such a horrible time. Through this foundation, they help parents with counseling and with financial needs such as purchasing grave markers. They are truly inspiring to all of us who know them and we have seen them transformed by this experience.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, or know of somebody whose young child has died, please contact Jason & Rhonda at http://www.tianafund.org/ . Their work is done mostly in California, but they are able to help people throughout the U.S.

Thinking back to that time 4 years ago - wow, what a time. There were four ladies in a very close goup of friends who were pregnant, all due within about 3 months of each other. If I remember right, Tiana was the oldest. The next two, Gabrielle and our youngest, Owen, were born healthy. The 4th, Grace, continues to be an inspiration to all of us as well. About 3-4 months before birth, it became apparent that she had some severe problems and she was not expected to live more than a few hours after birth. One of the diagnosis is Dandy Walker Syndrome, something I had never heard of before that time. Grace's parents are also two of the most incredible people we know. Grace has fought through many early sicknesses, infections, surgeries, etc. but she is living a great life now at 4 years old. She's an amazing little girl and it's so awesome to see her grow and learn as she conquers all expectations.

It was also just over 4 years ago now that Grant was diagnosed with autism, and that deserves a few of its own posts, that's for sure. Within a 1 month period, we sold our first house, bought our current house (it was a stretch, as they say), experienced my employer going bankrupt, learned of Grant's autism diagnosis, and our 3rd child, Owen, was born. When we look back at that period of time, we know that we got through it together and that if times seem bleak now, it doesn't even compare to that time.