09/07/2024
This post may come as a bit of a surprise, but here we are:
There's this broad that has been a part of my life since April of 1972. She may have been told, "Here's your new baby brother!", like I was a gift to her back then. I would later learn that the gift was mine. See, I didn't know it then, but I was given a sister who instantly hated me, but would defend me with everything she could. She was the only one allowed to beat me up, traumatize and abuse me then, and probably still today. Most everybody she knows would consider her to be one of the kindest people. Little do they know, this gem of a sibling pushed me off a ladder when I was three. My first core trauma memory. From there, it only got worse...
We grew up in the small town of Constantia, beginning with Marlin Trailer Park, next to our grandparent's house. Then we moved into the house that my father, uncle and grandfather built. We would always be together, doing dumb s**t or smart s**t, hanging out with our friends, sneaking snacks when we thought the parents were asleep until me falling off the counter woke them, making chocolate "milk" with water and cocoa powder, fighting, riding our bikes in the dirt lanes of the park, getting knees and elbows scraped up, fighting, not being impressed with the newborn sibling Clarissa, climbing trees, starting gasoline fires, wrestling over the b.b. gun, fighting, pulling pranks on each other, picking blueberries, being creative, getting help with my homework, sharing chicken pox, fighting, popping spores and milkweed in the field, picking on Crissy incessantly, snowball fights, sampling the liquor the parents had, sneaking syrup in the middle of the night, fighting, listening to really great music and being siblings, fighting and emotionally abusing our younger sibling, Fang. Stephanie hated me and loved me at the same time. She was my best friend growing up, whether I liked it or not. In high school, when I told her I was getting bullied, she fixed it. Embarrassing? Maybe, but she was "cool" and got some respect. I was a quiet little dweeb that didn't stand up for myself, so she did. She had my back, no matter how much we fought at home. Having that bond growing up was imperative for who we are today. The day I was born, I was given a sister that was always there for me, whenever I asked, without fail.
Stephanie was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. She didn't want to make a big deal about it, probably because that's just how we were raised. The truth is however, she can't do this one alone. She has already had procedures, biopsies and surgery to evict the uninvited guest, but her fight isn't over yet. Medical and personal expenses have been, and will continue to add up. So as her brother, with the help of the third sibling, our friends and family, I wanted to do something to help her get through this. So ~ Jeeps at the Beach is sponsoring a fundraiser for Stephanie.
Please save the date: Saturday, October 12th for an interactive Fall Foliage Drive around Oneida Lake, starting and ending at Smitty's Repair & Restoration, also home to Jeeps at the Beach. This is the first event that Jeeps at the Beach is hosting where any vehicle is more than welcome! Got a lifted Chevy with the engine light on? Bring it! Drive a Yaris? Bring it! Do you have a VW loaded with plastic engine parts? Bring it! Do you have a motorcycle with HD in the name, aside from an awesome Honda? We don't hate! Bring it! Did you fall for the marketing techniques of Toyota? Bring it! All makes and models, INCLUDING Fords... are welcome to join us for this cause!
Tickets are available at the link below for this rain or shine event. There will be a map of the route however, feel free to explore on your own if you want to. There are several points of interest that we ask you to take a selfie at, and those that complete the challenge will receive a commemorative momento. There will be food and refreshments at the shop, merch, raffle tickets for lots of goodies. Maguire Jeep of Syracuse will be helping us with the event, as well as many volunteers, friends and family.
You do not have to do the ride if you don't want to! You can still purchase a ticket online as your donation. There is a spot on the ticket site to give an additional donation, in the amount of your choice, when you register for the event. Anyone and everyone is welcome to stop in at the shop at any time during the day, make a donation, get some food, hang out, play some games, laugh, listen to music, buy raffle tickets and so on. Parking will be at the shop and in my field for those that want to hang out. We plan to start about 10am and go until there's nobody left. 50/50 drawing will be at 3pm and raffles will be at 4pm. You do not have to be present to win, but it would be cool to have you there!
Any questions or comments, please share them here, as well as your positive vibes! đź’™
If anyone would like to help out with this event, please feel free to PM me. There is always work to be done!
WHAT: Benefit for Stephanie Smith's Breast Cancer recovery.
WHEN: Saturday, October 12th, 2024
TIME: 10am - TBD!
WHO: Anyone and everyone is welcome!
WHERE: Smitty's Repair & Restoration, 2800 State Route 49 in West Monroe.
NOTE: Coming in from the East, you will have to take a small detour to the shop. Follow signs and drive carefully! Coming from the West, you can get to the shop without any issues.
Purchase tickets here:
jeepsatthebeach.com
OR
https://buytickets.at/jeepsatthebeach/1384580
