"Why should I participate in the Snowball Express?"
As I sit here writing this knowing it will be to a new widow who is in a numb state of shock, who has just lost the love of her life and has sat wondering "how will I ever get through all this?"; I find myself looking back to where I was when I was offered this opportunity for the first time. I lost my husband in 2006 the same year the first Snowball Express was put together, I was lost, confused, numb, filled with pain and couldn't imagine how anything could possibly make me happy or smile. Then I got a random email from a group I belonged to at the time telling widows on our site about this new charity that wanted to give our children, children of our fallen heroes an extra special Christmas season. At first I thought there is no way, I cant do it, its too painful. The event would only be three weeks away from our first anniversary of my husband's death. How could I do this?
There was something that drew me to this event, however and so I took a deep breath and signed my oldest (4 at the time) and myself up for event. We got on a Southwest flight and just as we were about to take off, the pilot announced that he had very special cargo, children of fallen heroes who were going on an all expense paid trip to the Snowball Express. My son Oliver's face lit up (tears form as I type this) and he said, "Mommy that is me, they are talking about me!!" I said, "Yes baby they are and many other kids too." My eyes filled with tears and we took off. That was the beginning of our journey and friendship with the Snowball Express. As we arrived in California that year we were greeted by the sweetest smiles you could ever see. The love and caring that came through their eyes filled you with so much pride. We arrived at the hotel and I watched Oliver's face light up as he realized he was not the only little kid that had lost his father, that there were many just like him. He ran up to kids he had never seen before and just started to talk to them like he knew them forever. That brought the Moms together as well and opened the door to amazing friendships. The connection these kids have instantly and for a lifetime is untouched by any other experience they will ever have. Oliver loves and remembers all his "Snowball Express friends" and looks so forward to seeing them each year.
Since then we have attended each year. I have friends that I have made that are closer than family just because I took a chance on a new group of people who just wanted to do something special for our kids. I would not change it for the world. Oliver has loved it each and every year, he has made new friends, seen old ones and walked away knowing more than anything how grateful people are for his loss and that he is not alone. What more could you possibly ask for? This is a chance in a lifetime for our kids, for your kids....take it. We are all there waiting to meet you, love you and welcome you. See you there!
Deb
A message from a Snowball Mom