One of my favorite memories of childhood has to do with the upcoming holiday.
Labor Day meant no school.
More than that, it also meant that my 17-months-younger-than-me sister and I would get to take snacks to the den with the red shag carpet and stay up all night under our pink fuzzy blankets watching the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
Every year that I can remember… we did that.
It was tradition.
It was not something that my parents orchestrated. It was not a planned event in order for us to have those memories of childhood.
It just happened, and I’m glad it did.
In college and in life after, my sister and I didn’t share a night in front of the television again, but we would always remember the telethon and would call and remind each other that the telethon would be on.
We did this off and on throughout the years…. A cherished memory of childhood.
Of a night where two sisters got along.
A night we shared, awake, while the rest of the world (it seemed) slept.
I loved watching Jerry Lewis. I still do.
I am in awe of his lifetime dedication to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
It renews my spirit, gives me hope, and fills me with gratitude.
My Casual Friday recommendation is to watch the MDA telethon.
And to make a donation.
You can call and donate, and you can go online and donate, too.
Just click the picture below to take you to the telethon website.
Here’s what your pledge dollars will buy:
(from the www.MDA.org website.)
| $30 | Flu Shot |
| $74 | One minute of research |
| $100 | One support group session |
| $150 | One physical, occupational or respiratory therapy consultation |
| $300 | Professional fees related to initial diagnostic work-up at an MDA clinic |
| $500 | Assists one person for one year with repairs to durable medical equipment |
| $800 | Sends one child to MDA summer camp |
My dad’s younger brother has ALS… Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
76 percent of every dollar MDA spends goes directly to research, services and education.
I understand that pledge dollars buy HOPE.
Jerry closes the telethon every year by singing You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Here he is singing it at the close of the 2008 telethon.
Sometimes I wish that I could go back to those times with my sister.
Huddled up, giggling, sharing….
I’ll leave you with this video of the beautiful and gifted Wynonna Judd, who opened the 2009 MDA Telethon.
Enjoy your Labor Day holiday.
I’d love for you to leave a comment and share a childhood memory you cherish.
Love,
P.S. Like my sister and I, my girls are 17 months apart in age. My parents say that my children remind them of my sister and I as young girls. I hope my girls share more with their aunt and me than just the same age difference.
I hope they, too, have wonderful memories like what my sister and I have… memories that withstand the test of time.
