Life Will Always Be a Little Bit Different
There are moments in our lives that change us, that remind us what’s important, that have the potential to break us. We’ve heard it over and over, that how we move forward from those moments makes all the difference. But when it is a moment of tragedy, you face more than just an uphill battle, it feels impossible.
The night of June 13th, 2018, I drove to Denver with my friend Meghan. We talked about life, summer plans and joked about my lack of (driving) directional abilities. The next morning started like most mornings, at the swimming pool. Meghan and I watched our kids practice and we spoke about our volunteer jobs for the upcoming swim meet. I was the ‘swim mom rookie’ so I was grateful to have a friend to walk me through it.
Just hours later though, everything changed, and life will forever be a little bit different.
I have known Meghan for five years now and I am lucky to call her one of my closest friends. When I heard that she and her boys had been victims of gun violence, I felt broken, I felt helpless. To know that the family I was with hours before had lost their oldest son, Vaughn Jr, and that Meghan and Asa were fighting for their lives was the worst feeling I’ve ever experienced. None of it felt real and, along with so many family and friends, I waited for updates via CaringBridge and the news channels.
I’ve never seen such strength as the Bigelow family showed at that time and continue to show every day. They have not only fought for each other, but they have chosen to create ripples of positivity by founding Big Waves. I feel honored to be a member of the Board and am very proud to be a part of an organization that makes a difference. Whether it is helping youth through college scholarships, spreading joy by collecting art supplies for Children’s Hospital, or the work they’re doing to prevent senseless gun violence, this is a nonprofit that will change lives for the better.
Thank you for reading and thank you for all the support you’ve given to the Bigelow family.
Christy Schaefer
Big Waves Board Member
