We're doing the best we can.

Nobody knew what was coming when we started this.

No one could have see ahead of us this mammoth mountain we'd be climbing.

And frankly, that was a blessing!

If we'd known how much work this was, well ... I think it would have been too intimidating. A friend on mine reminded me last week of not being too hard on myself when I'm doing the best I can. Maybe that's something you could apply to whatever is going on in your life, too.

You're not expected to get to the top of the mountain in one giant leap. You just have to take one step at a time. Just one foot in front of the other.  Baby steps upward.

Personally, the idea is to give more than we get. And when I type that, I really, really mean it. That's kind of the little pact we have with The Big Guy. We give our time, our ideas, our money, our connections, the best and the worst—whatever we've got. It's not a platitude. It's not just something nice to think. It's not something we say because it sounds good. We live it.  And if ever something comes along to try to tip the scales toward ego or pride or self-service, we've got sick children before us to correct that kind of thinking.

We do this because we know so few others are. Why doesn't the #1 cancer killer have the biggest army of fighters after it?

That said, by grace, so many wonderful do-gooders have saddled up with us. They, too—the ones who call us with an fundraising idea, the ones who put their lives on hold to come to a meeting, the ones who tap everyone they know for a donation to an event, the ones who actually come to the event, the ones who make the little details happen, the ones who inspire us with their humility and generosity—they share that deep-down, pure-heart, I-don't-count-the-cost altruism. Chad likes to call that "boots on the ground," meaning: God points you in the right direction, but you still have to do the walking. ;)

And if anything, the foundation may have been divinely created simply to offer opportunities for us to develop, deepen and act in benevolent service to one another.

It's hard to know these days with political spin, marketing hype and perception management what's really real, what someone's true intention, true motivation might be. Just know when it comes to The Kyrie Foundation, we're in it not for whatever notoriety may come from an event, not for the "'atta boys," not to look like "nice people," not for extra credit with God.

We're in it for Ethan. For Kyrie. For Anna. For Kate. For Taya. For Edouard. For Elliot. For all the children having a crainiotomy today. For the families at a child's funeral today. For the idea that someday a vulnerable baby's brain will not be attacked by cancer.

There will not be a giant round of applause when I publish this blog post. Nor has there been a Nobel Prize delivered to the tireless volunteer who keeps asking everyone she knows for an event sponsorship or for a gift basket. There isn't a sweepstakes van on its way to the artist in his shop late at night welding together a legacy donation. To those who give so much, nothing earthly exists that would compensate them equally to the flood of gratitude we feel.

Mother Theresa is known for her selfless care of others, others who were ignored and untouchable. In her service, she was always pointing upward, giving credit where the credit belongs. We take that example seriously. Until we find a cure, I guess the reward for this work is simply in the act serving and that heaven knows our hearts.