Darren LeBlanc

We made a few papers this month. A handful of NJ papers did a story on Misty and Anthem of Hope. You can read one of them here: http://atlanticville.gmnews.com/news/2009/0716/front_page/018.html

I have to comment though….and I’m not upset, just clarifying. Generally, everyone who talks/writes about Anthem of Hope says something like the author of this article: “A city man has launched a charity in honor of his deceased wife”.

Now there is nothing really offensive about that at all. It’s a lovely idea that someone launches an organization to honor someone who has passed away. But honestly, AoH isn’t about honoring Misty at all. Believe me, no one on this planet respects Misty like I do…she was truly extraordinary, but AoH isn’t about her at all.

I have a friend who is 28 and she has stage III brain cancer. She is in the middle of the battle right now. I have a friend whose daughter is 5 years old and shouldn’t have to worry about losing her hair…but she does because she has leukemia. I have a friend who grew up being sexually abused by her father and isn’t quite sure what a good God was thinking when he let that happen. I have a friend whose young son has been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer…but he (and family) are learning to trust God. I have a friend my age who had a grapefruit size tumor removed just last year and is told it’s likely to come back. I have a friend my age who lost his wife to cancer…and he has a preschool age boy. Another friend who lost her husband to in a very sudden manner. She has two kids.

Anthem of Hope isn’t about Misty. She is gone. It’s about those who are suffering right now. If I spent my life investing in honor for someone who is not with us, I don’t think I’d be content. But instead, Misty’s story can inspire us to hope. Her story can impart to us the truth that God will be with us even in the most hell-like times this world can impose on us. Her story can be a springboard for someone to work their own faith from.  She is at the core of the story, but she is not the goal.

Thats all. It’s not about my lovely wife….it’s about you and your family and your neighbors and whomever needs a little hope.