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Speaking of "deciding factor", I was trying to sort through some stuff this morning and realized that I had something staring me in the face the entire time.
As you know, LJ Idol's 10th anniversary is next week. We'll be kicking off our official celebration after this mini-season ends (and I get the new graphics. Hint Hint. :D)
But I was considering doing what people always tell me "You should do that!" and post a link to the paypal account. Especially with the dental stuff going on, but more because I know it's something folks like to do. (and those who can't/aren't able - or even those who just don't want to - that's cool too. But I have been told over the years that I should "look out for myself" more than I actually do.
With how awkward I usually am at it, hopefully people know that I'm not very good at that.
On the other hand - doing it for someone else I can do without any sense of shame at all. ;)
Those who have been around Idol and/or my life for any time have heard me mention my niece Katie. If you know anything about her, you know that she's the best person in the entire world and you are lucky that you are able to breathe the same air in the same universe as someone as awesome as she is.
Seriously. She's one of the most naturally kind and good hearted people I've ever met and life has given her plenty of reasons not to be.
I was going to "get into it". I actually typed most of it out, but then deleting it. Because that's her business, not mine to share. Let's just say "things haven't always been good" in her life and she's been through quite a bit.
But now - now she's GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL! There was a time when I didn't think that was possible... there was a time when *she* didn't, but it's happening. On June 2nd she's asked me to be there for her ceremony. I didn't go to my own graduation, but I'm going to hers.
Why does this all tie together with what I was saying? Because I have this root canal coming up. It's going to take away from what I was going to give her as a graduation present. It's just really shitty timing.
Would she understand if she had to wait for a gift? Yeah, she would probably tell me that she just wants me there, and mean it. She would tell me that she doesn't want a gift.
But she's my Katie. If it's possible to do, I want to try to do it.
So what I'm doing is being as straight forward with you as I can be. If you were one of those people who were considering "putting something in" at the end of the mini-season or "for the 10th anniversary", I'm telling you what it's going to: It's a donation to Katie to help her start her post-high school life. My paycheck is going to go toward bills and the root canal - with Cynthia doing more than her share of our expenses (as usual).
She's 18 and still trying to figure out what that is going to look like. I have no idea where she is going to go and what she is going to do. I just know she is going to be a great person while doing it.
So if you want to throw something into that, and are in a place in your life where you *can*: paypal.me/GDreslinski
If not, and you happen to be connected with me on other social media - add your voice to the congratulations when I post about her graduation next week! :)
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tl;dr - I love Katie. Remember to vote.