This is the year.

I don’t know what it is. But I have a feeling that this will be my year. Do you ever have that feeling? I have been feeling it bubbling up for a couple of months now. I can’t tell you what it is, but I’m buying lottery tickets like crazy. (Btw… Powerball is at 400 million dollars right now.) I think it’s the first time in a long time that I’ve taken a step outside myself, looked in and thought – yep, all the stars have finally aligned.

I’ve made a big step in my career. I finally know who I am and what I am good at. I decided to leave the old Erin in the past. The person I was running back to after Isabella died wasn’t me anymore. It was who I was over 10 years ago and it’s okay if that is no longer a fit for me. Never in my life (EVER) did I think that my career would be in the non-profit sector. But, maybe I never realized that people who work in non-profits do it because it speaks to them and really gives them a purpose. This is my purpose and I’m not running from it anymore.

It has also allowed me to get my priorities in order. Ever since I made this decision I feel like my family has fallen into place. I was all over the place, never knowing what was going on with my kids, what city my husband was in or if our house was on fire. In the last month I have been into my kids school, I was organized over the holidays, I’m in better touch with my family and my house is in order. Who knew that one little decision could impact your life is such a way?

I’m excited about work again. So many things with ISF had to be put on hold until after the holidays so we could hit the ground running in January. I found myself barely able to contain my excitement of all that I would do this week now that we were back sitting around the table. All of these ideas and visions I have had in my head for years but didn’t have the time to devote to executing them, can finally come to fruition (I hope).

The Foundation is no longer “just” a 5k race. We are a family of people with common goals and missions who are doing big things to move the needle. We are educating ourselves on the state of Neuroblastoma research, not only in our community, but also at leading research hospitals across the US. We are aligning ourselves with doctors who are refusing to let any more kids in their care, die. Our recent donation is backing a Doctor who told us, “What I’m doing here has allowed 11 kids in the last year who should of died, to still be alive and doing well.” Saving lives. Isn’t that what we said we wanted to do?

New Year’s Resolutions are all over my social media and they all feel the same. Lose weight, get organized, spend less, save more and the list goes on and on. When I researched the top 10 New Year’s Resolutions, I was blown away that making a difference wasn’t on that list. I can’t tell you how good it feels to know this it is my number one resolution and I’m making it a reality.

Is 2016 the year that you want to get involved for a greater purpose? We are starting a volunteer group at ISF and we hope you will join us. If you have ever wanted to be a part of something bigger and make a difference- then this is for you. This is what we are about. Even if it’s just a couple of hours a week or a couple of hours a month… we will take it! We are always looking for new people who are energized and excited to help. The work we do on a daily basis is a series of puzzle pieces that add up to a masterpiece each year and we would love to have you join in this effort. We have some exciting new things on the agenda for 2016 and the time you give is so appreciated and rewarding. In the end- it is people like you, helping us, to make that difference.

So…do you want to be a part of what we are doing in 2016? Email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.com and let’s get this ball rolling together.

-Isabella’s Mommy