The Cool Carts

Shopping with Alexa is always an adventure, and it's even more interesting when we go to a store that has "novelty" shopping carts like the kiddie car-carts at grocery stores or the huge double-seater cart at Target.  For anyone who hasn't had the 'pleasure' to push one of these through a store, the carts are absolute beasts - - they are cumbersome and real steering challenge because they are so massive.  I will do anything to dissuade Alexa from picking one of these carts or attempt to distract her when we enter the stores just to avoid grabbing one of these monstrosities.  I know....I'm a real stick in the mud. ;)  

Tonight after I picked Alexa up from school, we went to Safeway to pick up some pudding (don't ask), and of course, I had to convince Alexa that we didn't need the kiddie car-cart since we were just running in quickly for one thing.  As we were on our way out of the store and passing by the carts, she exclaimed, "Oh no!" and started to get upset.  When I asked her what was wrong, she said she was sad because Granty won't ever be big enough to ride in the carts with her.  Ugh.  However, in normal Alexa form, she was able to get over it in a split-second, asking how soon she could eat pudding.

It makes complete sense - - I had always told Alexa that Granty had to get bigger before we would need the big double-seater cart from Target.  I simply didn't realize how much the prospect of the two of them together in one of those massive carts excited her.  For Damon, Alexa and myself, it seems that sometimes the most unassuming objects (i.e. the sighting of a grocery cart) provide the most crushing blows and blatant reminders of Grant's absence.  However, taking a cue from Alexa, we have to continue to move on and get through the sadness.  I'd better stock up on pudding...... :)

Hopefully heaven has shopping carts.

Making a Difference

Today I called the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation to get some general information, and I simply began the call saying, "My son passed away..."  Before I could get in another word, the woman who answered the phone asked, "Are you Connie, Grant's mom?"  That was all it took.  Brooke, the woman at the foundation, expressed her gratitude for our very generous friends and family and mentioned donations in Grant's name have been coming in daily.  She was so thrilled that we had elected PCH as Grant's charity and excited about the prospects of what the funds raised could do for the Neuro-Oncology and Critical Care departments.

I was talking to my sister Julie tonight and laughing about my new "project" of getting involved and preserving Grant's legacy at PCH.  Growing up, I absolutely hated selling Girl Scout cookies and wasn't the most diligent kid about bringing the UNICEF box on Halloween.  However, because of our experiences at PCH, it's very easy to become passionate about a cause that became so personal to us.  I knew something had definitely changed in both of us when even Damon was very disappointed to miss the Ignite Hope Walk on Saturday.  My how this little boy affected both of us, not to mention hundreds of others, in a very positive way!

One of Damon's favorite pictures.

I have received a few questions about donations since the obituaries in the newspapers did not contain the full detail (we quickly found out that obituaries are quite the revenue-generator).  As long as the donation is tagged with Grant's name, it will automatically go to Neuro-Oncology and Critical Care (PICU):

By Mail:

Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation

2929 East Camelback Road, Ste 122

Phoenix, AZ  85016

Online:

https://secure3.convio.net/pch/site/Donation2?df_id=1468&1468.donation=form1

Support - Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, Note - Neuro-Oncology

In Memory of Grant Hovannisian

Phone:

(602) 546-GIVE (4483)

Not So Swimmingly...

Sundays are pretty relaxed here in the Hovannisian household with only one item on the agenda - Alexa's swimming lesson.  For a little girl who begged daily to go swimming in our pool during the summer, she absolutely dreads her Sunday swim lesson.  She has always liked her coaches (all guys - Grant [coincidence, not our Granty's namesake], Anthony and Nick), but she is petrified when they let go of her in the water.  Today was no exception, as she was crying and curling up into a ball even before we left the house.  I thought there was no way she could continue crying for the 30 minute duration of the class, but leave it to Alexa to prove me wrong.  She cried the entire time - - oye.  I think Papa Hovey was more entertained watching me sit helplessly, trying to use mental powers to coax Alexa through her lesson.  Thankfully Coach Nick is a very patient teacher, and he still had a smile on his face at the end of the class, while I was mouthing an apology at the viewing window.  Of course, Alexa was smiling and laughing by the time she hit the showers, and she gave Coach Nick a big smile on the way out.  We'll see what happens next week...

I can only speculate what Granty would have done in a swimming lesson; my little boy loved his baths and didn't even flinch when Alexa would dump water on his face.  Damon and I would always ask Alexa what sport Granty should do, and, probably thinking of her Swim Coach named Grant, she would always say swimming - - pr play baseball for the Cardinals.  We Hoveys dream big :) 

Granty in one of his favorite places - - the bathtub.

3.4 Miles - - No Problem!

Tonight Vernon, Alexa and I participated in the Ignite Hope Walk for Phoenix Children's - - it was a very nice event and much more emotional that Vernon or I ever expected.  The starting plaza had plenty of entertainment and food - Baskin Robbins ice cream, Dunkin Donuts donut holes and every kind of cookie and granola bar you could image - quite the pre-walk festivities.  The food array made me think of the spread that we'd would always have after a cross country or track meet :)  The 1.7 mile walk to the hospital (although on the drive there, Vernon swore it seemed like 7.1 miles - it was all straight-away) went by very quickly, and Alexa walked about half and spent the other half on my shoulders.  When the crowds gathered in front of the hospital holding up the candle flashlights and a Sarah McLachlan-like hymn played in the background, I could not help tearing up.  It was very sad to see the place where we had spent so much time; I easily identified the windows of Granty's PICU rooms - 6105 and 6108.  It was comforting to see all of the kids pressed against their windows, knowing the joy the crowd was bring to them and also that most of those kids will be able to go home some day.  It seems like forever since we left Phoenix Children's, but it will only be two weeks tomorrow.  I really miss my little boy....

Despite the moments of sadness and reflection, it truly was a good event.  Like I told Vernon, there aren't too many places where you can schedule an evening walk in the first week of December.  I'm very proud that both Alexa and Vernon wanted to walk back to the car instead of taking the shuttle bus;  Alexa, being the mini-me that she is, even ran part of the way back while holding my hand.  That's my girl!

Thank you again to everyone who supported us.  Through your generosity, we catapulted to the #8 slot in the fundraising for tonight's event - - wow.  I'm so proud that Granty's legacy is helping such a wonderful cause :)

Team Hovey!

Enjoying some quality time with Papa Hovey.

Hanging out with Miss Phoenix.

Ready to walk for a great cause.

 

Blessed & Lucky

Wow - - I am in shock and awe of the response of family and friends to the mention that Alexa and I ( + my father-in-law Vernon) would be participating in the Ignite Hope walk tomorrow night to benefit Phoenix Children's.  I have received donations that have placed me as the #19 fundraiser for the event.  Wow.  I am humbled by these donations, not to mention the outpouring of support that Damon and I continue to receive from all over the world via donations in Grant's name to Phoenix Children's, cards, letters, texts, gifts, etc....

I've been asked how Damon and I are able to deal with Granty's death so well - - it's a pretty easy answer.  We have been so fortunate to have the support of family, friends and even complete strangers.  Grant's life and passing has brought out the best in people, including ourselves.  We have our moments (each time I think I can't cry anymore, somehow more manage to come), but Grant's spirit is being preserved in each and every one of us.  His lessons of hope, faith, love and perseverance are alive and well.

Assuming the Ignite Hope walk is a success, I am already looking forward to next year, as I will dedicate myself to creating a team - Granty's Giraffes - so that we can make sure Phoenix Children's always has a reminder of my little boy.  As I joked with Damon, someday our little Granty will have a wing of the hospital in his name :)

Tomorrow's Walking Team - - including our honoree.

Practicing for the 1.7mi walk at the San Diego Zoo (in Aug'12).

Missing Granty

I think Damon and I initially underestimated the effect of Grant's loss upon Alexa; she definitely misses her baby brother.  It's very rough to know that her first real experience with death and introduction to the topic had to involve her little brother.  Although she evokes some tears, it makes me happy to realize just how much Alexa loved Granty and cherished her big sister role.  The mentions of him come at random times - - when we were driving to gymnastics class, she looked at the empty seat next to her and said that she missed Granty riding in the car next to her.  Yesterday was a real tear-jerker when I told Alexa about her cousin Luke's new baby brother - she asked if Luke would share his baby brother with her since Granty had died.  Talk about tears...oye!

As with all of us, I expect time will be a huge component of helping her deal with Granty's death.  She's been back in the normal routine of school since Monday, and she's had an added bonus this week of two weekday gymnastics classes (she loves going to the gym more than anything), making up for all of the classes she missed over the past few weeks.  Tonight we also began playing with 'The Elf on the Shelf' that my dear friend Linda sent to her.  She decided to name her elf Grant (aww...I'll just ignore that the elf is wearing a skirt), and begged the elf not to talk to Santa tonight because she had bitten her friend at school today.  I hope the many activities that we have planned for the coming weeks, Ignite Hope walk, Zoo Lights, trip to StL, etc..., will help with her healing process.  She's a tough little kid, and I know this little girl will be able to overcome anything.  She is a mini-me, after all :)


Always ready to help Mommy bathe Granty....look at both their smiles :)



Igniting Hope

Congratulations to Damon's sister Gia and her husband Andrew, as they welcomed another little boy into their family today - Austin George Kazarian.  Damon and I are very excited to have another nephew, and I know Alexa was happy to hear that the baby is out of Auntie Gia's tummy.  We're looking forward to our next trip to Fresno to meet the little guy!  He will bring a lot of hope and joy to the Hovannisian family.

I happened to be trolling through the Phoenix Children's website, and I discovered that an inaugural "Ignite Hope" walk will be held on Saturday night.  Despite the short notice, I decided that Alexa and I will embark on the 3.4 mile walk (or 1.7 miles if we shuttle it back) together to benefit PCH.  Alexa's a pretty good athlete for 3.5 years old, so I have all the confidence in the world that she'll be able to make it (or that I can carry her on my shoulders if she tires out).  I think she'll love picking out a new toy to donate and will really like carrying the flashlight.  Damon was disappointed because he's working that night, but we are already plotting the fundraising efforts we will do for the walk next year in honor of team "Granty's Giraffes."  SO...consider yourself forewarned if Damon or myself are asking for donations or participants to walk with us next year. lol :)

My walking buddy Alexa - - and her new friend.
(courtesy of the Mehew family!)
FINALLY - - a real Christmas decoration!