Brew Ha Ha Reflection

“Hands down, this was one of the most incredible nights of my life. GiGi’s Playhouse is not just an organization, it’s a movement. It’s a family. Tonight, Dan and I were surrounded by people who genuinely poured out their heart and soul into babies, kids, teens, and adults who are otherwise overlooked. We watched tens of thousands of dollars raised without hesitation. We watched high fives, dancing, and cheering for people like my daughter. But it was so…real…so genuine. We met other families like us, who spoke words out loud to me that I have written in my journals. We met SO many volunteers who are the most amazing people who do not volunteer because they have a family member involved, but just because they see value in the people of the Down syndrome community and want to invest in their lives.

We sat with a young couple who gives all of their free time to GiGi’s. Why? Because they felt drawn there and once they met the people at GiGi’s they can’t leave. It’s their family too. We met their parents too! What amazing people! They sat and asked us our story. They listened and they encouraged us. They felt like family by the time we left tonight. I hugged a new mama who was holding her newborn baby boy with Down syndrome. I had the amazing privilege of hugging her and saying congratulations! That is not a typical sentiment for a new mama with a baby with Down syndrome. The site director, who helped coordinate this amazing event and got up on stage to passionately advocate for these precious people, MY precious daughter, sought us out to give me a big hug and meet Dan. She told my husband how much she loves Lael and showed him pictures of her she took on her phone while Lael was in tutoring this week. She shared a really funny story about her with him. We were two of hundreds in that room and we felt like family. I exchanged phone numbers with amazing women who are walking this journey too. I watched adults with Down syndrome have the time of their lives, performing on stage, dancing, hanging out at the dessert table!

Dan and I bid on some silent auction items and won a new library of precious books for our sweet family, with illustrations of almond-eyed little girls and boys just like Lael. Also…if you drive down Detroit Avenue in Lakewood, one day soon you’ll see a big picture of my beauty on the window! We won that silent auction as well and couldn’t be happier to have our family represented in such an honoring way!

I just had to tell you all about this life-changing organization and the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. Thank you for those who have donated this week! You have no idea how much that means to me and so many in our community. The impact of this organization is incredible and it’s just begun!

Thanks for reading. I have to tell you, I’m really wrecked in the very best way.

I’ve never seen love in action like I’m seeing now.

It’s life changing.”

Thank you to Amy Stack, one of our amazing moms, who shared this heartfelt reflection of her and her husband’s experience at our Brew Ha Ha this past Friday. Your profound words resonate with us all and share the beauty, joy and celebration that is GiGi’s Playhouse.