Brooklyn's Ball

This has been a tuff couple of days for us why you ask?

We work with a guy named Joe, he is married to a wonderful woman named Dez and they have 4 kids. One of the children (there second) was born with a condition called Alagille Syndrome that effects 1 in 1 million people I would tell you about it but I am ignorant about this condition. I do know that it can effect the heart, liver, or kidneys....in Brooklyn's case it impacted all 3 organs. At one year of age Brooklyn underwent open heart surgery at UCLA and a year later received a liver transplant. Over the past 8 years, Brooklyn has suffered from the chronic effects of the transplant, and severe injury caused by the powerful steroids that control her weakened immune system. These steroids have damaged her transplanted liver, and now little Brooklyn is in need of both a new kidney and liver.. Unfortunatley the times a liver and kidney were available for her they were just not right for some reason.

Over the past 10 years the medical bills have really piled up so friends of the family thought it would be a great idea to hold a Cinderella style ball for Brooklyn so she could be the princess and raise money to cover the million dollar surgery. It was also decided that a silent auction would be held to raise additional funds. Several people donated items and goods for the auction and 9 days prior to the ball over 450 tickets had been sold. Unfortunatly 5 days before the ball Brooklyn past away. Her family decided to have the ball in her honor and the funds would be used to pay down the medical and funeral costs. At word of her passing, another 300 tickets to the ball were purchased.

Brooklyn's Funeral was Friday morning and it was the most beautiful and heart wrenching funeral I have attended. This is the 3rd funeral I have attended for a child and it never gets easier. The ball was last night and Scott and I were able to attend and it was just beautiful. Over 750 people attended, bid on the silent auction items, and they were able to have a live aution for several trips (including a hunting trip for two to New Zealand valued at $6500.00) and Scooter. I won the bid on a beautiful Christmas center piece and two fantastic bottles of wine. We left around 10:30 before the dancing started but I am sure everyone had a wonderul time. The dinner that was served (buy Brooklyn's mothers co-workers) was delicious. I never thought to take a camera because I didn't think it would be a true celebration of life but it was. Every table had table cloths, candles , home made castles,tiara's , and tons of balloons. I am hopeful that pictures will make there way to the website for the world to see. http://brooklyns-bridge.com/ here is the website if you would like to learn more about this special girl.

On that note, I must dry my eyes and get ready to go show some property. Then we are off to a bbq and football.

Have a blessed day.