(This anniversary occurs on Thanksgiving Day in America, but I wanted to post it now. I didnt want to be a downer on anyones holiday, but I cant simply ignore it either.) Its hard to believe it has been a year since youve been gone. Dying of terminal brain cancer and in constant pain, you pressed on and fulfilled your life long dream - making a recording in a real studio. Your version of Katy Perrys Roar lit up the planet, grabbing the attention of the star herself. To date, the video has garnered over 3.5 million views on Youtube alone and continues to be viewed (that smile at 1:27 is priceless). Your family put the song on iTunes, and it ended up on the national iTunes sales charts in your home country of Canada. The Jewish community responded with schools posting tributes and well wishes on Youtube as well, and you were formally recognized with a statement in the Ontario, Canada, Legislative Assembly. And on and on. But it didnt end there. Your mom Kari Winemaker and sister Kaily Wise have worked tirelessly, setting up the LivWise Foundation to raise funds to benefit brain cancer research (notice the play on words in the name, its important). As of this writing, they have raised over $208,000 and continue to organize events to raise more. On November 30, a concert in your memory will be held at North Yorks Toronto Centre for the Arts featuring American singer-songwriter Andy Grammer. You have left a big footprint on this planet in your short life, and your legacy of helping others, staying positive against all odds and working toward your personal goals and making the most of each day to the very end is secured. For someone I never knew, you touched me in a way only one other person ever has. Your death has left a wound in me that has not fully healed. Every time Roar is played, it isnt Katy Perry I hear. It is you. We miss you, we will always love you, and your roar will last well beyond a thousand years. youtube/watch?v=JepfXKUinaE
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 23:58:34 +0000
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