My Mother’s day checklist was always simple:
Since meeting Denise Bebenek, this list has changed considerably. Let me explain.
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Denise Bebenek is a mother. She has a beautiful family and a loving husband. Yet Mothers Day for Denise does not mean breakfast in bed, or a pile of roses. It means facing her greatest loss.
In 2001, Denise lost her daughter Meagan to a rare brain tumour. Meagan had just turned 5.
The time between diagnosis and Meagan’s death was short, only a few months, however this little girl managed to touch many people and to inspire those around her. When Meagan was ill, her classmates held a special crane ceremony, gathering 1000 paper cranes as a symbol of hope (based on Sadako Sasaki’s inspiring story). The tradition continues annually at the hospital for other children in need of hope.
Meagan’s story tells of a child that during her hospital stay, would give gifts to other children and to staff to comfort them. Years later, they still speak of her fondly. “Meagan was a little charmer with a beautiful smile and a fabulous spirit,” recalls Dr. Eric Bouffet, a Neuro Oncologist with Sick Kids who treats terminally-ill children.
While most people undergoing immense tragedy retreat from the world, Denise turned to embrace it, literally. Denise’s wish the day that Meagan passed away was to “have arms wide enough to comfort to all the children inside.”
Denise walked away from her career as a schoolteacher, realizing that the lessons learned from Meagan could not be limited to the walls of a classroom and did something that some would consider a miracle. She transformed her grief into action and created Meagan’s Walk, an annual 5 km walk on Mother’s Day that raises money and brings awareness about paediatric brain tumours. In this way, Meagan is honoured and the spirit with which she approached life continues.
The event is a powerful symbol of hope ending at the Hospital for Sick Children in a human hug. Participants link hands and surround the hospital. Sick Kids patients well enough join and watch, and those that aren’t join by watching from inside.
At a time when the world is being forced to value things that money can’t buy, Meagan’s Walk is a special way to spend Mother’s day, and a unique gift. As Denise says, ‘there is no brunch in the world that can feed you the way that being involved in that hug does.’ A Mother’s Day checklist should be simple, and meaningful, and begin with- spend time with those you love.
Meagan’s Walk has raised over 1.4 million dollars for the Hospital for Sick Children since Meagan’s death.
For info and to register: http://www.meaganswalk.com employee of the month dvd download
Cost: $10 a person or $35 for a family of 4 (everyone gets a T-shirt)
You are also invited to raise pledges.
Date: Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10
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