Amor por Key

Little bits of love coming from around the block and across the country...

For those of you who don't know the situation with my cousin Key, 

please read the previous blog "for Key." 

It's also been so great to have friends come by the sales whom I hadn't seen in a while, some in years. They've donated money, letters, items to sell, and hand-made art/jewelry. My friend Lisa, from the Nest and the Makery at Community, even gave me a couple of pointers that boosted our sales! 

(Thanks Square App!) 

People have been so loving, so supportive, so giving... and it's more than I think any of us ever expected.

made by a college friend! thanks Aja! and sold to a lucky girl! thanks Aline!

Our goal is really just to show our support for Key and do any little bit that we can. At the Flea Market I was encouraged by a man that I met who actually takes wheel chairs that a local convalescent home throws away and refurbishes them! He says that he does it all on his own, and donates the chairs to local centers or ones in other countries. Where ever there is a need. He does what he can to make even the smallest difference and believes it really matters. It's making a huge difference in the lives of those people and I was really happy to hear his story. It's that kind of attitude, combined with action, that changes the world.

antique onion heads

Last weekend was our 5th Key Sale, and I have to say... it was amazing.... Every sale has been. First of all, at each sale we get lots of stories from people who are struggling with or have beat cancer (including my mom) and it's been so uplifting to hear their stories.

everyone needs a pair of stripper shoes!

We will be having a couple of more sales in the future and a hair-cut-a-thon!
I will post more information on those events in the coming days.
We're hoping to reach the $3000 mark by May 3rd. We're at $2,800 as of April 27th. 

Meanwhile, we're still  accepting donations through our Paypal account at key.cure.perales@gmail.com

Oh so comfy rocker!

Ray Ray: at the 4th Key Sale at the Flea Market:

Ray Ray, probably in his late teens, came by dressed in a t-shirt and jeans and had his hair carefully done in a mohawk. He came over to our booth quite excitedly and started asking me questions about "the girl in the photo." I told him it's my cousin and we're trying to raise money to help her with her chemotherapy. Right away Ray Ray's energy went up. He started to speak more quickly and at first I didn't know what he was saying, but he kept pointing at himself. After a bit more time with him I realized he was saying that his mother has cancer. He was saying she went through chemo. He was saying he knows what it's like.

He told me to wait there and he ran down a few booths and grabbed his mother, pulling her all the way to our space. He showed her the sign and he started saying, "Just like you!" His mother, a bit taken back, shared with me that her son, who has Downs Syndrome, doesn't usually like when she brings up her cancer.  Ray Ray's reaction came as a surprise, typically he gets angry when she mentions it. Holding back tears she shared with me her battle and that she just finished up her last round of chemotherapy and is now waiting for results. She is hopeful and even has a cruise coming up that she will be taking (I believe with other survivors).

Ray Ray, who was playing with the drum set that was holding up the sign, asked if he could sign the board. I gave him some markers and he wrote down his name and number. And repeated several times, "Tell her to call me, I'll make her better." Before he left he held out his hand, as if to give me a high five. He'd written "Key" in large blue letters across his palm. He said he wrote it down so he wouldn't forget. I almost started to tear up and thanked him as he walked away.

Ray Ray's note in blue, towards the bottom center.