The Most Meaningful Event of My Christmas Season (Part 3 of My Christmas Tour Recap)

Meet Bryn Jones. Bryn is as bright and beautiful as little girls come. Bryn also has a genetic disorder called Rett Syndrome. Rett Syndrome is a disorder of developmental reversals most noticeably in areas of expressive language and hand use. Hence, the words that Bryn had once learned to speak and the ability to use her hands, began to regress when she was a young toddler. Now Bryn is no longer able to speak or control her hands. Currently, there is no cure for Rett Syndrome.

I was originally going to do a house concert in Boise for photographer and blogger, Cristi Dame. When Cristi's friend Makita Jones (Bryn's mom) heard about the concert, she related to Cristi that my music was one of the few things that was able to calm Bryn down. (And this is the part where I tear up). After a few phone calls were made, the concert had shifted into a fundraiser for the Rett Syndrome Foundation with Bryn as our guest of honor. (Excuse me while I wipe my eyes yet again). This was by far, the best thing that happened to me this Christmas season. You can watch a news clip on the story that features Bryn here.

Bryn and her daddy, Steve.

My first meeting with Bryn. Isn't her skirt adorable?

Cristi Dame and Makita Jones did a fabulous job of making The Rose Room in historic, downtown Boise look like an enchanted, winter Candyland, complete with an old-fashioned soda bar. You should have seen the wide-eyed children.

Me with the Jones Family.

Enter Cristi Dame (on the right in both photos). Cristi is largely responsible for making the concert happen and 100% responsible for these lovely photos. Many thanks to her for being a key sponsor of the event. You can read her own words about the evening and see more photos on her blog, Weeds to Wishes.

And lastly, you can watch a news clip of the evening here, in which I blubber. Thanks to all who attended and donated a collective amount of $17,000. But most of all, thank you Bryn.

With Love,