So much has changed. We got kicked out of our house in May, lost the house we were trying to rent in early June, leaving us homeless...

My mama gets diagnosed with colon cancer in late June--when I say "diagnosed", I mean taken to the O.R. to remove an 8inch tumor that would have killed her if we'd waited two more hours.

And to top it all off, my uncle Alexis, aged 40, passed away July 8th, 2009, of a fatal heart attack.

I bet you're expecting some emo whiny shit, right? Wrong.

Heart Sleeves

I spent the night lying awake in bed, wondering if I could do more. I realized that I could. I could do SO much more. I could make a world of difference. Remember this, Future Me: Anything is possible. You are ready, willing, and able to do this--don't ever forget that. You better crack a smile when you look back on this. You can do this. You can do this.


So I want to start an organization called Heart Sleeves. Corny name, I know, but it's because I'm going for this with my heart on my sleeve--I'm laying it all out there. Every little vulnerable piece of me.

Heart Sleeves will be an organization dedicated to donating to charities every month. Next year, I hope to create a calendar with those charities in the order that I would like them to appear, since two in particular are set for particular months (which will not be changed under any circumstances starting next year). For now, I'm going to start trying to donate to the American Cancer Society [link] , the American Heart Association [link] , the Youth Suicide Prevention Program [link] , the Family Violence Prevention Fund [link] , and Feed The Children [link] .

I'll be hosting bake sales at first because it's the only thing I can do, and keep it up from there. Another thing to remember, Future Me:
Leo, brother: "Is this something you really want to do?"
"You have no idea how badly."
"Try it, then. But if it doesn't work..."
"I'll make it work."
"...That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

I want to make this work. I will make it work. With or without support, with or without help. I'll do this. And eventually, I'll reach my goal of making a Heart Sleeves calendar, and having people actively donate. Or better yet, recognize my organization. Here's where I ask for help.

I'd like someone to create a logo for Heart Sleeves, or commission someone to do it for them. I'll pay you back, I swear, as soon as I'm able to. I promise. Please help me?