So yesterday was the official release date of my first book.  A professional goal of mine accomplished and a personal experience coming full circle. (If you are just learning about me, my mother passed away when I was 12 years old. 12 years later I founded Kate's Club, a non-profit organization in Atlanta that empowers children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling.)  The book, title "A Healing Place: Help your child find hope and healing after the loss of a loved one" is a real-world guide to support and inspire parents and caregivers of grieving children.  I feel honored to be given the chance to share my own story of loss and my work with other grieving families and serve as a voice for the millions of grieving children across our country.  If you know someone who could benefit from this book, I suggest giving it to them this Holiday season.  Its a great gift for a family who may be having a difficult time in coping with the loss of someone they love.

But enough about that...I find it fascinating that the day my book comes out, I actually find inspiration in another book now available in bookstores.

It's the story of Elena Desserich, a six-year-old who died of cancer, but found a way to continue to show her love for her family after she passed. For the nine months that Elena was battling cancer, she took the initiative to write notes to her family and leave them in hidden places around the house.  Grab a tissue, you may need them for this one.  And now her family is giving the world the notes to read in a book in an effort to support cancer research.  What a gift!

Here is her full story:

Elena Desserich was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer when she was just five years old.

During her nine-month struggle with the illness, Elena, from Wyoming, hid hundreds of notes between the pages of books, in cupboards, drawers, bags, and clothes stashed away for the winter.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1225419/Notes-left-Six-year-old-cancer-victim-Elena-Desserichs-heartbreaking-messages-love-family.html#ixzz0WNXMiDR6

I get excited whenever I find a story about a young person making a difference in the world, whether in their own community or around the globe.  So, when I found this story of a classroom of young kids working together to help others, I got very excited.

This story is also inspirational because the person leading the charge is a teacher.  A priceless educator going beyond the call of duty to teach an important life lesson of the important of helping others in need. 

Melissa McIlwain a kindergarten teacher at Pecan Park in Ocean Springs, MS decided to get her students involved in a volunteer project when one of her co-workers became stricken with breast cancer.  McIlwain and her students spent an entire day making blankets to donate to cancer patients at Singing River Regional Cancer Center.  With the students giving back and feeling first hand the positive impact they were having on others, they are more likely to continue to do such work throughout their life. 

Reading, Math, Writing, Science are all very important learnings for our youth...but so is compassion to help others!

Enjoy this video courtesy of WLOX 13 to learn how these kids are discovering the gift of giving to others.