I know this isn't directly related to the Beach Boys but it's a story that really affected me emotionally over the past few days, and I just wanted to share it and a few links here. I think it touches on the bottom line, the common thread of this board and the people who participate here. Among the squabbles, the debates, and everything else, I think we're all here because of the music we love and what it means to us when we hear it. And ultimately it's that common thread centered around the music of this band that connects all of us here, to a point where we all engage in and share the same pursuit of enjoying and sharing the music.
This is a girl named Laney from Pennsylvania who is dying of Leukemia, and as of her family's news update this morning the outcome is not looking good.
Through Make-A-Wish and other groups, they have been helping Laney cross items off her "bucket list" of things she wanted to do.
One of those on the list was her wish that her neighborhood gather for a night of music, singing Christmas carols together. They made this happen this past weekend. Unfortunately Laney was too sick to participate, but her family posted a photo of her giving a thumbs-up sign from her bed as she heard the people singing outside on her block. Thousands showed up.
It really brought it home for me, as sad as it is the story is also uplifting and is another demonstration of how powerful music is, and how important listening, sharing, performing, and just loving music in general is for so many of us.
To see a girl dying of Leukemia list Christmas caroling as one of her final wishes...that's too much for words. All of what we do and write and debate and everything else here, maybe it all connects with the simple pleasure of experiencing something we all love and being able to share it with others.
I might be more emotional than usual this Christmas season, but it's a story that I thought was worth sharing. And for every article and blog post and whatnot we may read about people not liking Christmas music, or wishing it were all over, or listing the worst songs and all of that...everyone can share opinions freely but it's also worth noting how much that music - all music, for that matter - means to some people. And how it was a girl's wish to hear that music for what she had probably accepted might be her last opportunity to do so. And it happened.
As I said on my other page, enjoy every song you hear this Christmas.
If you want to read more about Laney's story, here are the links with videos:
https://www.facebook.com/teamlaney7http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-berks/organizers-detail-logistics-for-christmas-caroling-for-laney-in-west-reading/-/121418/23581766/-/8p77yd/-/index.htmlhttp://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9368749Action News
WEST READING, Pa. - December 21, 2013 (WPVI) -- Thousands of people gathered to sing outside the home of a West Reading girl who is suffering from cancer - all to make her wish come true.
It's safe to say these are holiday carolers with heavy hearts, all here to grant a Christmas wish for little Delaney Brown, affectionately called "Laney."
"A lot of people don't even know her but through social media have been able to give her this wish. Unfortunately this could be her last Christmas and everyone wanted to make it special for her," said Deb Redcay. The numbers were high - organizers say 6,000, possibly more than 8,000 people strolled down Chestnut Street right past the decorated family home.
Laney was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in May.
She made a wish for her neighbors to lift their voices in holiday songs after doctors recently gave her days to live.
"Especially with this time of the year, with her birthday yesterday and Christmas next week, I can't even fathom what they're going through," said Mayor Shane Keller, West Reading.
Tens of thousands have liked her "Team Laney" Facebook page where her family post updates on her condition.
"Just the different stories her mother has posted regularly showing her strength, her courage, her humor - this is heartbreaking. All she wants is carols and we can do that," said Megan McGee.
Another wish Laney had was to meet pop star and Berks County native Taylor Swift.
Friday night, as her family celebrated her 8th birthday, Laney's wish was granted when the two had a video chat.
Laney was also recognized by the Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives as an ambassador of hope and inspiration as she brings more awareness to childhood cancer.
As so many people walked by Laney's family, including her mother, Team Laney posted a picture saying "I can hear you now...love you."
It's safe to say the little girl heard more than Christmas carols - she heard prayers from the community.
"Just to put her mark on the world as she did in these 8 years is something that I think should make her family very proud," said Melanie Searfoss.
Laney's mother and father thanked the community for its overwhelming support.
Meanwhile, Laney's family is asking for privacy during this time but say they'll keep posting updates on Facebook.
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