"At least she'll have a friend in heaven already...and I'll have them both when I get there too!"

Today Rowan got all dressed up for Jalene's benefit. He looked so cute in his plaid jacket and bow tie.  He couldn't wait to go and asked me if he could bid on something himself at the auction.  Of course I said yes.

When we got there we were so impressed with all of the decorations, which were full of perfect little Jalene touches.

Rowan especially loved all of the Super Heroes and Characters that were there.  He got his picture taken with a few of them, but said it was actually more fun to watch them dance.

Of course the biggest hit was Olaf...

Rowan asked to get his picture taken with Olaf so he could send it to Jalene's Mom...so we did.

Rowan and I really enjoyed ourselves...

And he did get to bid on (and win) an awesome SA Aquarium Family Pack Basket.

More importantly though, we got to talk to so many special people, all there for a common cause...to show their love and support for Jalene Salinas and her entire family.  One lady in particular sat and talked with us for most of the event, and it was such a joy to share stories.  Stories we would have never heard had we not met through Jalene's Journey.  

At the end of the benefit I took this picture of Rowan with her, and if you look closely you will see tears coming down both of her cheeks.  When we left, Rowan said "We just met her, but I can tell we are already friends."  I said, "Yes, did you notice she cried when she hugged you?"  His reply, "Yeah, I have that affect on a lot of people."

Thank you Jalene, for allowing us to meet Linda, for bringing so many other people together today too, for making us all laugh together and cry together and most importantly pray together.

As we walked out, Rowan with his pink balloon tied to his feeding pump back pack, he was so happy.  He said, "That was fun, and I bet they raised a lot of money for them, so that's even better."

When we got to the car Rowan got more comfortable...

Then I saw him close his eyes.  I asked if he was going to take a nap, but he said "No, I'm just saying a prayer for Jalene."  I asked him what he was praying and he asked me, "Is she hurting Mommy?"  I told him no, that they were keeping her very comfortable.  He said, "OK.  I just don't want her to be suffering. I can't wait until she gets to go to Heaven and see God and feel good and strong again.  I can't wait until we ALL can."

Then, I stopped the car so he and I could eat at one of his favorite restaurants, Dickey's BBQ.  (He loves it because they have baked potatoes and fries, and he loves choices:)  Before I even opened my car door though he said "Wait, I want to do something. It's important, really important."

 

He asked me if he could let the balloon go.   I said that he could ("Let it Go!" "Let it Go!" :) ...because I thought I had a pretty good idea what he was thinking ... I was close, but had no idea how much grander his idea was than I could have dreamed...

As we watched the balloon drift higher and higher, Rowan got tears in his eyes.  He smiled at me and said, "Thanks Mom.  Now Chrissie will know Jalene, and when Jalene gets to heaven, Chrissie can run up to her and give her her pink balloon back and say: WELCOME TO HEAVEN JALENE!  Chrissie loved pink, and I had one of her pink balloons once too.  

And they are both 4.  And they are both my friends.  And they are both princesses! They have a lot in common. I'm gonna miss Jalene when she goes, but at least she'll have a friend in heaven already...and I'll have them both when I get there too!"

This face says it all...

Do not be afraid sweet Jalene.  

God is waiting for you with open arms...

You get to see His face soon, and feel good and strong and whole again...

Chrissie has your pink balloon...

Rowan will see you in heaven again some day soon... 

we all will...

and He has friends waiting for you...