Yoga Fundraiser for Team Ezra! 3/7/10 NEW DATE!!

Open Your Heart Yoga Workshop

led by the super talented Ann Henrie

at Lotus Yoga in Columbia City

Sunday March 7

1 - 2:30 pm

All levels are welcome! Kids are welcome! Please come! That's a personal invitation from Ezra's mom. Ann is generously donating her time and Lotus Yoga is generously donating their yoga studio - located at 4860 Rainier Avenue South #D (upstairs). Seattle, WA 98118

All proceeds benefit the LLS - Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - donations will go to TEAM EZRA!

Ann is an awesome teacher and this is a great fundraising opportunity for Team Ezra! Donations can be earmarked for any team member or for the team in general. Please come, did I say that already?? We are hoping for a great turnout. You won't be disappointed, the studio is lovely, Ann is great, and you will truly feel that your heart has been opened. What more can I say? See you there! Kandice, Ryan, Luka, and Milo.

The Big Climb Sunday, March 21, 2010 In Memory of Ezra Sherman Go Team Ezra!

We feel so honored that Ezra was selected as the 2010 Big Climb Honoree!

69 Flights of Stairs

1, 311 Steps

788 feet of Vertical Elevation

Climb the Columbia Tower - Seattle's Tallest Building

Are you up for the challenge? Please join Team Ezra to help us raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. To find out more about the Big Climb, visit www.bigclimb.org

Our family had a great experience participating in the Big Climb earlier this year and we all felt like it was a wonderful way to honor Ezra and to raise money for Leukemia research, as well as other blood cancer research, and also to financially help patients and families currently dealing with these diseases. We encourage all to join us - kids, adults, everyone. Don't be afraid of the climb, you can do it! Many of the 5th graders completed the climb in about 15 minutes or even less! And most of the adults were not far behind. You may sign up to walk or run up the stairs - your choice.

We Hope You Will Join Us!

Ezra Remembered

So once a year at our church the children, aged 3 to 12, put on the service for the congregation. As you can imagine, it is pretty sweet and everyone looks forward to it all year. This year of course was bittersweet, watching Milo give a talk - of course he did great, but it was the first time Ezra did not stand up to participate.

One of Ezra's past teachers, Tyler, shared some thoughts about Ezra. Tyler was Ezra and Milo's primary teacher (like sunday school) a few years back. He and his wife Stacy taught the boys in their primary class for two years and have remained close friends with our family. Tyler's remarks were beautiful and when I asked if I could share them on the blog he consented. So here they are...

"We would be remiss not to acknowledge that the primary program today proceeds without an incredibly important member. Ezra Sherman and the Sherman Family have been long time members of this ward - he and his siblings have grown up through our nursery and primary, and his parents have been constants here for the last 17 years. Ezra was an irreplaceable part of our primary and for many years blessed us with his incredible goodwill, tender spirit, and exuberance for life. As everyone knows, earlier this year he returned to our Heavenly Father , and this is the first time in many years that he is not a part of today's program.

It would be impossible to capture what he meant to all of us in a few short words, but we wanted to in some way honor his memory. I think the best way to do this is to recognize that he lives on. He lives on in his brother, in his sister, in his parents, and in all of us who were lucky enough to have been touched by his life. He also lives on in the things he loved and the passions he enjoyed in life.

One such passion was the Beatles. Ezra was a big fan - we had that in common - and when I hear the Beatles, I always think of him. There is a moment in the album Abbey Road that for me captures the emotions one experiences in difficult times. At the end of the song, "She's So Heavy," there are several minutes of swirling, disorienting noise. This noise starts in the background, but slowly builds, much in the way that you might picture a gathering storm. At the point when this musical storm feels as if it has reached it's peak, it instantaneously cuts off and immediately cuts off and immediately proceeds into the next song - the melodic and uplifting tune, "Here Comes the Sun," with George Harrison singing that reassuring refrain, "here comes the sun, it's alright."

In the scriptures, the sun is symbolic of numerous things and in many instances it represents Christ. In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88:7 reads: "Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun and the light of the sun, and the power thereof, by which it was made." During our stormiest times, it is Him that emerges through the clouds and warms us with His glory, reminding us that through His saving power, "it's alright." As the living Savior of all, He assures us that our time on earth is not the end, but merely the beginning. In the words of the oft quoted scripture, in the book of John, "whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:15)

Through His triumphant resurrection, He makes it possible for us to live again in the presence of the Father. It is through our belief and testimony of Christ, that we can look forward to seeing our friend Ezra again someday."

So thank you Tyler, for your thoughtful words, they were greatly appreciated and sweet to our ears. Although I wish nothing more than to have Ezra in my arms and at my side - right now, I know that he is alright. I know that I will see him again and that he will always be my boy. I have faith that we will be reunited when this life on earth is over and I look forward to that day. That is what I believe. Even in my pain and deep sorrow of missing Ezra, I still have faith in these things. And it is this faith that keeps me going each day.

Photos shown: top - Ezra, of course, age 8. Below - Tyler and Stacy with Milo, age 9 (yellow, a wickersham brother), Luka, age 10 - (Yertyl the Turtle), and Ezra, age 9 - (Mayor of Whoville). Performing in Broadway Bound's production of Seussical the Musical at the ACT Theater in Seattle.

Halloween Memories

The conversation in our home during October has always been about - Halloween Costumes. The kids have always loved to plan their costumes, gather materials, and make something creative. Sometimes there was a theme, sometimes not. For weeks this subject would be discussed. They even had to worry about what the dog would dress like.

In any case, in honor of Ezra, here are some photos to share as we approach Halloween 2009. When I look at these I remember Ezra's creativity, humor, self confidence, passion, and joie de vivre - Ezra had fun doing everything, he truly loved life. He taught me so much, even through something as silly as dressing up for Halloween. Amazing Ezra, here's to you.

Photos: Ezra as an Oompa Loompa (Milo as Groucho Marx) - 3rd grade. The White Rabbit from Alice and Wonderland - Ryan made that nose through a complicated and scary (for me) process that involved taking a mold of Ezra's face which required him to breath out of straws stuffed up his nose for about 20 minutes while it set. I still shiver. Milo was one of the Queen of Heart's cards that was 4th grade. And last year: Tweedle Dee. All the kids got in on the Alice in Wonderland theme last year. Milo was the Dormouse. Luka was the Mad Hatter.

A New School Year Begins

Excitement and sadness have been in the air of our home this week. As we prepared for the start of a new school year, the excitement built for Milo and Luka, especially for Milo as he is starting a new school this year - middle school!
But of course this excitement is accompanied by our deepest sorrow that Ezra is not starting school this fall. He always loved school so much and looked forward to each new year with great anticipation.

Losing a child causes you to miss that child so desperately - all the time - every day, every second. But certain times are somehow even more painful than others, like a missed birthday, or a graduation, or a summer vacation or the start of a new school year.

Ezra didn't get to go with us to get new school supplies this year and that was sad. We missed him so much. We remembered him running around the store last year, filling our cart with everything from his school list, talking excitedly about what supplies he needed, explaining what pencils he thought were the best, and of course, playing with Milo. Ezra didn't need a new pair of shoes. Ezra didn't try on any of the clothes in the closet to see what fit and what didn't. Milo did that for me and when he tried on some of the things Ezra always wore it took my breath away - he looked so much like Ezra. Ezra didn't get to go to the orientation for new students, etc. So there is lots of sadness intertwined with the excitement and happiness that two of my children are now experiencing.

And so the new school year begins for Luka and Milo and millions of other children and students. I hope everyone is able to enjoy the new school year... The little things, like a new class list, new books and supplies, new pencils, new clothes, and maybe even new shoes. And the bigger things, like a new school, new teachers, new friends and new opportunities. And the biggest thing, LIFE. Hope everyone can enjoy and appreciate being alive this fall.

Photos shown: Milo and Luka posing with Ezra's tiny woodland friends this summer - who accompanied us everywhere we went this summer. And Milo and Ezra on the first day of 4th grade - 2 years ago.

A Pink Dogwood Tree Planted for Ezra at the Guide Dog for the Blind Campus in Oregon

On Saturday, June 27, 2009, a tree was dedicated in memory of Ezra at the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus in Boring, Oregon. Thank you to everyone who donated money for the purchase of this lovely tree and the beautiful plaque - written in both English and Braille. The tree was planted a month or so ago, but this was the day that we dedicated it. We had some of our puppy raiser friends from Seattle and beyond that were able to come down that day and we met together before attending a guide dog graduation there on campus. All of the puppies were sporting showy pink bandanas which they wore proudly around their necks in honor of Ezra. Our Seattle group leader, Heidi said some lovely words about the tree and Ezra. As most of you know, Ezra's favorite color was pink and he loved dogs, so a pink blooming Dogwood tree was perfect for him, as well as for the location at the guide dog campus. After Heidi's remarks we all enjoyed some ice-cream and had a few minutes to visit before going into the graduation.

Inside, as part of the opening remarks for the graduation, Heidi stood up in front of everyone in attendance to tell a little about Ezra and the tree that was planted at the campus in his memory. It was a lovely tribute to him. Thank you Heidi! The graduation was great as usual, with one of our own Seattle puppies graduating - Chaz and one of our West Seattle puppy friends graduating too - Melissa. Congrats to their dedicated puppy raisers and their new partners! After the graduation they have campus tours and as were outside visiting near Ezra's tree we noticed all of the tour groups stopping at his tree to see this lovely living memorial and the beautiful plaque.

This memorial is very sweet to my family and I. And we look forward to visiting it frequently in the coming years.

As many of you know, our family started raising guide puppies a little over 2 years ago. As a family, we had been discussing getting a dog for some time. We had read lots of books about the different breeds and caring for and training pets. Our pet knowledge was limited to a goldfish or two that we had acquired over the years. Yet, somehow, although not particularly a dog person, I wanted the kids to have a dog and thought it would contribute to the idealic childhood I wanted them to have. Then a dear friend of mine from California - Carolyn, told me about how she and her daughter Megan were going to become puppy raisers for Guide Dogs for the Blind. My first response was that I didn't think this was what I had in mind for our family. Raise a puppy, go through all the hard work of training it, fall in love with it, and then give it away! No thank you. But yet, my interest was peaked and this was a person that I love and respect very much. Ryan and I both like the idea of involving the kids in acts of service within our community, but hadn't thought of raising a dog for this purpose. I began finding out more about the puppy raiser program. When I talked to Ryan about it, his first response was similar to mine, he just wasn't sure this was the right project for our kids and not what he had been thinking of when we had decided to get a dog. We thought we would run the idea by the kids since getting a dog was something we were doing for them.

We brought it up at a family meeting, the words were barely out of my mouth - would you rather get a dog that we will keep as a family pet or raise a guide puppy for the blind. "Raise a guide puppy!!!!" - all 3 kids yelled. Their were screams of joy and the happy dance being performed by 3 excited kids. Wait, a second. "Hold on," I said. "This is a big decision, lets talk about what it means to raise a guide puppy." We told them all the requirements, about how we would all have to follow all the rules and all help in the training and then give the dog away and still the excitement never waned. They were hooked - we would raise a guide dog. In the next few months we went to weekly guide puppy meetings and all 5 of us became certified to raise guide puppies.

At the time, my kids were 9, 9, and 10. In the 2+ years the kids have faithfully attended every meeting, helped with all of the dog training, and become great spokespersons for Guide Dogs for the Blind. They have become amazingly insightful dog trainers and handlers and more compassionate people. They have met and worked with many other wonderful puppy raisers and through them others have become interested in this great organization. At my daughter's middle school this year, the students chose to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind after learning about this through my daughter. Because of our involvement with Guide Dogs for the Blind, our lives have become greatly enriched and somewhere along the way we have all become "dog people" which I believe is a very good thing.

So thank you Ezra for shouting with joy at the chance to become a puppy raiser. Ezra always loved helping others, always. He knew he could make a difference in the world. He taught me that every person can reach out and help another, no matter how old or young they are or how much money they have. Everyone can do something for someone else. Thank you Ezra. And thank you to everyone who is helping to keep Ezra's memory alive, it means so much to us.

Photos from top: Ezra & Beckley - after 15 months of training & Family shot w/Beckley - Nov 2008. 3 & 4: Beckley under Ezra's desk on the first day of 5th grade, note the pink socks, and though you can't see it, he is wearing a Guide Dogs for the Blind t-shirt. 5: Ezra, Luka, Milo and Beckley @ the puppy truck in December. 6: Ryan, Art - our current guide pup, Beckley - our career change dog and Luka at Ezra's tree. 7) Puppies at Ezra's tree: backrow - Willy (black), Gideon (golden), and Chaz (in harness); Front Row: Art - (yellow), Fantine, Faraja, and Beckley - our career change pet. NOTE: all the photos on this blog can be enlarged simply by clicking on the individual photo.

a pink crane for Ezra from McGilvra 5th graders

On Thursday, we went to McGilvra to meet with the two 5th grade classes.  They had planned a great surprise for our family.  Some talented art parents - Dan, Alessandra, and Tom helped the kids think of a tribute to Ezra and then made it happen.  The result is a beautiful steel crane, powder coated in bright pink, with laser cutouts on each wing that read Ezra Sherman 1998 -2009 and pie + unicyles = Ezra on the other.  These parents designed the crane with help from the 5th graders.  The kids earned money to have the components built, Tom welded the pieces, some work was donated by craftsmen who were touched by Ezra's story, and somehow it all came together before the last day of school!  Thank you to all!

These are the same amazing 5th grade friends who gathered together after school the week Ezra was in the hospital and with the help of some loving parents folded 1000 origami cranes and strung them together on strings, I should add that Milo and Luka were also there to help with this most important effort.  

An ancient Japenese legend promises that whoever folds 1000 cranes will be granted a wish, such as recovery from illness. Ezra's friends faithfully completed 1000 of these cranes, strung them together, and hoped they would see their friend recover from cancer.  Although this specific wish was not granted, the love and care from Ezra's friends and classmates strengthened Ezra and his family during a most difficult time.  Several strands of these cranes are now buried with Ezra and the rest are hanging proudly on our front porch.

The crane was dedicated by his classmates.  Joseph read a poem called Hope, by Emily Dickenson.  

Then Ivy and Courtney read a piece they wrote for the dedication entitled "Ezra"  It reads... "Ezra was a friend to anyone and everyone he met.  He had the rare ability to be exceedingly bright, exceedingly kind and caring, and exceedingly funny.  We all remember Ezra for many reasons, but today we are sharing some of the main reasons he was treasured.  Ezra was the sort of friend who would catch you if you fell, then wipe away the tears.  But his funny side showed more often than not.  For instance hiding Jordan's water bottle was one of the small but very memorable moments that shined in his honor.  He had many shining moment in his life.  Although we are deeply touched by Ezra's absence, we know that he deserved the privilege to go to heaven.  From the heart of the 5th grade."  

Then Dan and his trusted assistant Milo, climbed the entrance to the garden and installed the pink crane.  (If you click on any of these photos they will enlarge for better viewing.)

In the garden is a tree that 5th graders planted for Ezra early this year. While the crane was being installed we all placed wishing rocks around Ezra's tree and decorated it with pink flowers.  It was beautiful.  

Because this art work is on public school grounds, it had to be approved by the school district which took some efforts by these parents to jump through all of the appropriate hoops and make sure that this was all done legally.  

Thank you parents and children of the McGilvra class of 2009.  We will never forget you.  We have been strengthened by your love, support, and thoughtfulness.  Peace and Love, kandice and ryan