My Dream

Honestly, I don't even have the words

(I know, shocking) to begin to describe how Baldapalooza turned out.

It was dream like-- magical-- everything I have always hoped it would be.

The weather held (we even had two rainbows in our honor),

the people came in droves and other than a few blips-- it

went so well.

No, that's not accurate.

It was beautiful.  I'll never be able to describe it.

Just let me say, if you weren't there- you really missed

out on something incredible.

I was so insanely busy all day that I took only a handful of pictures.

Baldapalooza photos are all over social media though

(my Facebook page has lots I was tagged on).

But here are just a few--

our family with Andy Grammer.

 Holland was hanging with her friends and barely made it in

to meet him.

By the way, Andy is wonderful.  When I first met him

in the afternoon, he told me he was a hugger-- I think I 

got about six hugs from him by the end of the event (and the 

nicest message as he got on a plane this morning to leave Boise).

He was perfect for Baldapalooza-- kind, engaging, oh, so talented

and a phenomenal performer.

I have to say though, my favorite part of the day took place away

from Balda (and at our second home-- St. Luke's Children's Hospital).

We took Andy down to visit the rooms of  7 cancer children

who were too sick to attend Baldapalooza.

In every room Andy sang his heart out, charmed the children

and then signed the most beautiful pillows my friend Cindy Maliwauki

made for each of the kids.

The pillows had a few lyrics from his song "You Gotta Keep

Your Head up".

This little girl stole all of our hearts, especially Andy's.

Andy's mother died of cancer and it sure seemed our

efforts truly resonated with him.

The whole night was such a sweet and tender experience.

We took Kean up on stage to thank everyone for supporting

what he started.

It is kind of cool.  He is a total rock star and yet has no earthly idea.

A first-- a rock star with no ego!

We ended the night with tradition.

Andy was joined on stage by a few of our other artists

and by the 50 member top choir from Eagle High School

to sing Rufus Wainwrights' Hallelujah.

We were one of 15 cancer families to light giant paper lanterns

and release then into the sky.

It was spectacular and emotional.

I could easily go on and on.

But in that I don't have any other pictures to help describe the event, I'll head to bed

and hope I can sleep this night.  Too excited for much of that last night.

We should know this week what the final numbers are

as far as attendance (we think close to 4 thousand) and how 

much we raised for our beloved Camp Rainbow Gold!
p.s.
Here is a link to our local NBC's station's live coverage.
They actually LED with the story!
http://www.ktvb.com/story/news/local/2015/08/30/baldapalooza-camp-rainbow-gold/71408380/