Today I’m thankful for Eleanor’s sunshine.

11.17.2021

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Let me tell you about a little girl named Eleanor. She’s the daughter of a college friend of mine, Renee and her husband, Ricky. I honestly haven’t been in touch with Renee for close to 20 years. I knew her mainly through her sister, Jessica. After Jessica graduated, I would visit her frequently in Cedar Rapids and for a while her sister Renee lived with her. Hanging out with them was always so much fun. Although I haven’t talked to Renee in nearly two decades, we’re Facebook friends and that has allowed me a little glimpse into her life post-college.

Last spring Renee posted on Facebook that her daughter, Eleanor, had been diagnosed with aplastic anemia and would be undergoing extensive treatment at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. I followed their journey closely through Renee and Ricky’s updates in their Team Eleanor Facebook group. I prayed for Eleanor. A lot. I followed the ups and downs of her treatment and was always left inspired by this little girl’s courage as she faced so many hurdles and obstacles in her fight to get well. After a successful transplant, things were looking up. But about a month ago, I was shocked and devastated to learn that little Eleanor had died. I sobbed. I’ve never even met this child, but I was crushed. My heart hurt (and still hurts) for Renee. I can’t even imagine the heartache and grief she’s experiencing.

I “attended” Eleanor’s funeral via Facebook Live and was struck by all the beautiful words spoken about her. It was clear that Eleanor, in her short 9 years of life, was a ray of sunshine to everyone she met. I learned what a kind, thoughtful, smart, creative, silly and generous person she was. At the funeral, those in attendance sang “You Are My Sunshine.” It was beautiful.

Renee’s birthday is this week and instead of her usual type of celebration, she instead is spreading acts of kindness in honor of Eleanor and encouraging others to join her in doing so. I will certainly join in and spread some kindness and joy on Eleanor’s behalf this week.

Each day at the end of my class’s morning meeting we sing and dance together before we begin our phonics lesson. It helps the kids get their wiggles out and helps them focus on something positive as we jump into the day. I have a handful of songs that we rotate through pretty regularly, including a song entitled “Spread a Little Sunshine.” It’s one of the kids’ favorites. Mine too. I chose this song today with Eleanor and Renee in mind. As I sang and danced with my students, I was once again moved by this awesome little girl that I never had the pleasure of meeting and the legacy of spreading sunshine that she left behind.

So today, I’m thankful for this little girl named Eleanor and for the inspiration she was, and still is, to me. I mean if she can inspire me, someone she never met, who had lost touch with her mom, hundreds of miles away, I can’t even fathom the inspiration she must be to those who knew her personally.

So here’s to Eleanor. Thanks for the sunshine. I’ll do my best to spread it.