Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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,

9 comments:

  1. That is lovely, Mindy. What a great thing you did.

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  2. Wonderfull! You say it's the best thing that happened to you this Christmas but it's also a wonderfull thing to do especially at christmas time!

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  3. It was a magical night . . . glad to have been a part of it!!

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  4. So sweet..thanks for sharing:)

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  5. I love this! My neighbor girl also has Rhett Syndrome and her mother puts on a 5k fundraiser race each June. These girls are so sweet and it's wonderful to have opportunities to come in touch with them as well as chip in to help find a cure, so glad you were able to be such a big piece in that.

    I loved meeting you and seeing you in person in Lacey last spring, my girls just love your music!

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  6. What a lovely, lovely thing! I truly wish I could just fit into your suitcase and travel along with you to your varying concerts/experiences. (It makes sense that your music and voice would have a calming effect on sweet Bryn.)Mindy, you do know how to see the good and do the good. Happy New Year!

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  7. Oh Mindy! Could you be any more wonderful? What a sweet story, what a fantastic, courageous family. Love to you all!

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  8. Thank you Mindy for coming out! It was such a beautiful night!! And you are a beautiful person.

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