My husband, Tony comes from an awesome, big family. Tony’s mom and dad, Loie and Tom are fantastic and I adore the extended Tortorello family. There are so many siblings, aunts and uncles, and cousins that family get togethers are so much fun. The extended family has grown and grown as the cousins have gotten married and had our own kids. With typical busy lives, our extended family tends to now get together for weddings and showers.
Our cousins, Sarah and Brendan had a gorgeous, healthy baby boy, Charlie in April of 2016. Heartbreakingly, sweet Charlie got sick and passed away after only two weeks. I vividly remember sitting at the funeral and watching Sarah and Brendan, and their little boy Keegan as well as the whole incredible Cavanagh family. My heart ached for them all as did every other heart in the church. My sister-in-law, Laura Jean, and I sat next to each other and quietly talked about how we didn’t know how you move forward with this kind of heartache. The gorgeous family pictures with Charlie and the eloquent words spoken from the alter cast a beautiful glow throughout the church. It was a heartbreaking day.
Our cousins, Sarah and Brendan had a gorgeous, healthy baby boy, Charlie in April of 2016. Heartbreakingly, sweet Charlie got sick and passed away after only two weeks. I vividly remember sitting at the funeral and watching Sarah and Brendan, and their little boy Keegan as well as the whole incredible Cavanagh family. My heart ached for them all as did every other heart in the church. My sister-in-law, Laura Jean, and I sat next to each other and quietly talked about how we didn’t know how you move forward with this kind of heartache. The gorgeous family pictures with Charlie and the eloquent words spoken from the alter cast a beautiful glow throughout the church. It was a heartbreaking day.
A short time later, Sarah and Brendan, with the help of family and friends created an amazing spot in their backyard, called Charlie’s Corner. The setting was so serene and the fire pit cast a special glow. As time passed Charlie’s Corner continued to be a peaceful spot and I loved when they added lights that made every night glow. I continued to look at pictures on Facebook over the months and would see pictures of the Cavanaghs. I would smile as I watched them press on with their lives. I couldn’t help but sometimes wonder what you do with that kind of heartache.
This summer I found out. Sarah and Brendan started a foundation, Charlie’s Corner to create fun events that bring family, friends and community together that help support great causes. I was so touched by how they were turning their heartache into something that helped others.
As I continued to read their updates on Facebook, I learned that they were partnering with the Glen Ellyn Park District on a Glow in the Park Lantern Walk at Lake Ellyn Park. I had never heard of a glow walk and clicked through to learn that you could purchase a lantern before or during the event and that a portion of the lantern costs would go to the Charlie’s Corner Foundation. Charlie’s Corner had picked Lurie’s Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary from the glow walk in honor of Charlie. The funds raised will go toward research and to helping families be together when they have a sick child.
Tony and I brought our five-year-old twins, Stella and Sophia to the glow walk event. We met up with Tony’s parents, Tom and Loie and tons of extended family. The event was amazing! What a fantastic collaboration and partnership! Sarah and Brendan turned out a huge crowd that clearly adored the Cavanagh family. The Glen Ellyn community was out in full force and you couldn’t help but smile as kids danced to the children’s band, bounced in bouncy houses, did face painting, and played games. People munched on hot dogs and brats while lounging on blankets and chatting with family and friends.
As I continued to read their updates on Facebook, I learned that they were partnering with the Glen Ellyn Park District on a Glow in the Park Lantern Walk at Lake Ellyn Park. I had never heard of a glow walk and clicked through to learn that you could purchase a lantern before or during the event and that a portion of the lantern costs would go to the Charlie’s Corner Foundation. Charlie’s Corner had picked Lurie’s Children’s Hospital as the beneficiary from the glow walk in honor of Charlie. The funds raised will go toward research and to helping families be together when they have a sick child.
Tony and I brought our five-year-old twins, Stella and Sophia to the glow walk event. We met up with Tony’s parents, Tom and Loie and tons of extended family. The event was amazing! What a fantastic collaboration and partnership! Sarah and Brendan turned out a huge crowd that clearly adored the Cavanagh family. The Glen Ellyn community was out in full force and you couldn’t help but smile as kids danced to the children’s band, bounced in bouncy houses, did face painting, and played games. People munched on hot dogs and brats while lounging on blankets and chatting with family and friends.
The Glen Ellyn Park District and Bottle & Bottega Art Uncorked did an awesome job with helping people create festive lanterns. Sophia, Stella and Grandma Loie and I hit the Glen Ellyn Park District tent to decorate our lanterns which was fantastic. Stella loved making a ninja turtle lantern and Sophia loved picking out feathers, gems, and other craft items to decorate her lantern. Other kids also swarmed around the Bottle and Bottega booth to decorate lanterns and you could see the creativity pouring out of these kids. It was fun to see other people bringing in lanterns that they had decorated at home or at painting parties before the event. My sister-in-law, Laura had made Lanterns with cupcake liners that looked like it came straight out of Pinterest.
As I took the girls around to the bouncy houses and games I talked to people and it was so touching to hear the stories of how people were connected to Sarah and Brendan. The sense of community was so powerful. We stopped at a lawyer’s table to play Bozo buckets and learned that they were neighbors of Sarah and Brendan. What caring people and it was clear this community is committed to taking care of each other.
As I took the girls around to the bouncy houses and games I talked to people and it was so touching to hear the stories of how people were connected to Sarah and Brendan. The sense of community was so powerful. We stopped at a lawyer’s table to play Bozo buckets and learned that they were neighbors of Sarah and Brendan. What caring people and it was clear this community is committed to taking care of each other.
The Glen Ellen Glow in the Park Lantern Walk was such a special evening. As I listed to Brendan give touching remarks my mind reflected back on the joyous pictures on Facebook when brave Charlie was born. I thought of the heartbreak when sweet Charlie passed and the love in the church during his funeral. As I gazed around the park and saw families enjoying time together and being present with each other I smiled. This is how you help heartache, you help others. Everywhere I looked, I could see lanterns and the glow of Charlie’s love.
Please visit Charlie’s Corner to learn more about the Charlie’s Corner Foundation and their great work. Please consider supporting Charlie's Corner and watch for future family events!
I continue to be in awe of amazing family and friends that have turned their heartache to help others. Love them all so much.
My sister-in-law, Sam, the Ream family, the expansive Team Ream community, and the Torts keep fighting in honor of Sam's husband and my brother-in-law, Brandon Ream. The Team Ream Foundation is committed to preserving the memory, growing the legacy, and carrying on the fight, the will and determination of Brandon Ream for future generations. The mission of the Team Ream Foundation is to assist the everyday lives of financially disadvantaged individuals in State College and surrounding areas who have been affected by cancer and serious medical conditions. Read more on how you can join the fight and support the Team Ream Foundation. And, Amazon friends you can select Team Ream in the charity AmazonSmile program!
My lifelong Tri Delta friend, Kristi Horner started the Courage to Caregivers organization to help others after she lost her brother. Courage to Caregivers is committed to providing hope, support and courage to caregivers, families and loved ones of those with mental illness Read more about Kristi's passion for helping others and Courage to Caregivers.
Thanks for reading. Keep cherishing the glow of the love of your family and friends and keep fighting.
Meg
Please visit Charlie’s Corner to learn more about the Charlie’s Corner Foundation and their great work. Please consider supporting Charlie's Corner and watch for future family events!
I continue to be in awe of amazing family and friends that have turned their heartache to help others. Love them all so much.
My sister-in-law, Sam, the Ream family, the expansive Team Ream community, and the Torts keep fighting in honor of Sam's husband and my brother-in-law, Brandon Ream. The Team Ream Foundation is committed to preserving the memory, growing the legacy, and carrying on the fight, the will and determination of Brandon Ream for future generations. The mission of the Team Ream Foundation is to assist the everyday lives of financially disadvantaged individuals in State College and surrounding areas who have been affected by cancer and serious medical conditions. Read more on how you can join the fight and support the Team Ream Foundation. And, Amazon friends you can select Team Ream in the charity AmazonSmile program!
My lifelong Tri Delta friend, Kristi Horner started the Courage to Caregivers organization to help others after she lost her brother. Courage to Caregivers is committed to providing hope, support and courage to caregivers, families and loved ones of those with mental illness Read more about Kristi's passion for helping others and Courage to Caregivers.
Thanks for reading. Keep cherishing the glow of the love of your family and friends and keep fighting.
Meg
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