A Personal Anthem

I am convinced that I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for music being a ever-present and powerful force in my life.   Music is an outlet, an outward expression, and even an input from others that is unique and cannot be replicated in any other form of communication.  It is honest, open, often raw, and yet still soothing and open to interpretation by the listener.  It allows an artist to express deep feeling, and the audience to take from it what is impactful and moving to them - each in their own way.  It's beautiful.

Many who are familiar with Harper's story and her journey likely know that music has been a powerful influence.  There is not a time that goes by that we are in the car that Harper (or one of her sisters) does not request music - and not just a radio station, but specific songs, played off of Melissa's iphone.  They have a playlist of songs that they like; that speaks to them.  They take turns requesting songs, and Melissa plays DJ in the front seat.

In the middle of Harper's first round with cancer, we caught her singing along to one such song...

I was driving, and took the video from the front seat.  Yes, I cried.  A lot.  As we watched her sing along to Brave, by Sara Bareilles, we could heart her inner strength come out.  She was bald, full of chemo, struggling for her life.  And yet, we knew she was fighting - it came out in her voice.

She won that first round with cancer.  And we celebrated, with a huge party, inviting her supporters to say a huge THANK YOU for the love and generous support they had provided through Harper's journey, and celebrating her victory.

Dean Heckel and Holly Nelson Jackson sang at Harper's party.  As a special request, we had asked for them to sing Brave.  They invited Harper up, and this is what happened.

 

This time it wasn't just me crying.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house.

 

About a month later, she got the chance to sing with Dean and Holly again, at Huber's Winery.

 

 



 

Brave, undoubtedly, became Harper's anthem.  It represented the incredible strength she showed, fighting and beating Stage 4 Wilms. 

 

After a short few months, Harper has relapsed.  And today, after just one round of chemo, she's lying in the hospital, unable to eat without throwing up and battling a fever.  At this point, we still don't know for sure what is causing all of her current issues.  And her beautiful hair, which was coming back super-soft, is falling out again by the handful. 

 

 

Now, more than ever, as Harper is battling to beat cancer once again, it is as important as ever for her to be brave.  The future is scary and uncertain. 

 

Harper - I want to see you be Brave

 

An anthem for Harper - and the rest of us.

 

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Don't forget to take a look at the new Hope For Harper shirt - order by Aug 23rd.  Proceeds to benefit Harper's care. (click on the shirts below)