This time two years ago, I was finishing up exams and prepping to go out to Portland and start working with Janine; she’d originally floated the idea past me of nannying, but over one phone conversation had mentioned “this Foundation that I just started…it’s kind of turning into a huge project, so I’ll probably need some help with that too if you’re feeling it!”
Well, two years later, I cannot stop feeling it. Two years later I re-visit the website, look forward to updates from Janine and other team members, sniff around for news about the Pioneer schools, go back through my pictures from Oregon, reminiscing about the fledgling Flawless Foundation in its very first days and weeks. I remember how astonishingly easy it was to watch people embrace such a worthy cause (“of course we can put a flyer in our shop’s window!”), how exciting to share stories of Portland’s incredible abundance (“they’re donating how much?!”), how every step along the way had a way of filling me to the brim with love and serving as a reminder that this work is absolutely essential.
Imagine accomplishing, at twenty-one (or thirty-one, or fifty-one, or ninety-one!) what Flawless has done in two years: changing opinions, changing perceptions, changing lives. Imagine in two years raising awareness, raising funds, raising the self-esteems of hundreds of children, helping them grow prouder of their own unique and incredible gifts every single day. Imagine the look on somebody’s face when after hundreds of “no, you can’t”, they’ve just heard their first “yes, you absolutely can.” Imagine building a community of love, trust, dedication, and positive energy that knows no limits. Imagine accomplishing all of this – and more – as a two-year-old.
That is what Flawless has done, and for this gorgeous organization’s second Birthday I want to wish it the happiest, healthiest, longest and most prosperous future. I wish scores and scores more years of Flawless love and appreciation, Flawless service and gratitude, Flawless growth and success, Flawless fun and excitement in the face of change for the incredible children the Foundation supports.
Happy Second Birthday to you, Flawless Foundation! Of course, if I were in Portland I’d march to Saint Cupcakes, order up several dozen treats, and cruise around delivering them to your entire incredible team. But from here, two incredible years and two thousand long miles away, I merely want to thank you for everything you are and everything you do, and let you know that two years later you still look absolutely Flawless.
