Leah's healing journey
"For anything is possible with God" Luke 1:37
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Leah Is A Dragonfly Now
Monday, March 23, 2020
5 years ago...
I'm sure those many of us thinking of her today, and everyday, have considered what it would be like if she were here now during the trying times for our world.
I read somewhere recently, that those of us who are anxious about the potential toll the coronavirus could have on our health or our loved ones, or our livelihoods for that matter, could learn a thing or two from cancer patients.
Leah learned to live with great uncertainty, and had to endure a great number of challenges and scary times, yet she strove to find perseverance and make the best of each day despite theses odds against her, which were far far worse than we face today.
She also recognized the joy in staying compassionate towards others even when feeling fearful yourself. Below is her post from March 15, 2014 which starts with her quoting the book, Comfortable with Uncertainty
Awakening"Everything we do can be done with one intention, to wake up, to ripen our compassion, and we want to ripen our ability to let go, we want to realize our connection with all beings. Everything in our life has the potential to put us to sleep or wake us up, allowing it to awaken us is up to us."
I feel like this idea of allowing things to awaken us is so applicable to my life. Instead of just shutting down and going to sleep over what I am dealt with, I want to be awakened and do with it what I can to make a difference. Someone emailed me yesterday saying that they read some of my postings and that it encouraged them to reach out to a friend in need. That was the greatest gift to me, to hear that my words were encouraging to someone and that the encouragement allowed that person to touch another's life. How much better of a gift could there be?!
-Leah Ploutz
Monday, July 22, 2019
Happy Birthday Leah
p.s. I saw Leah's Cancer Warrior "Strength to Dance, Courage to Win" magnet on a car a couple days ago and it made me so happy! Thank you to whomever that was!
Saturday, March 23, 2019
In memory of Leah: Leah's Baskets
This is exactly the kind of day that Leah would have thoughtfully messaged a friend or family member. Other occasions, such as someone going through a tough time in life, she was likely attuned to, and would reach-out with a creative gift basket or gift certificate, or organizing a fundraising pool to get someone a fantastically practical item, such as an iPad for our Aunt Joanne during her cancer diagnoses and surgery.
Leah's heart was noticed by many, including a friend of the Ploutz family, Mary Valentine, who was inspired to start a custom gift basket service called Leah's Baskets that she's been tirelessly operating, she's even formed a not-for-profit, Leah's Basket's, Inc.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/leahsbaskets1/
Her post from today beautifully sums up it's provenance:
Leah passed away four years ago today. Not long after, Leah's Baskets was created to honor her memory, so Drew and Elly knew their mother made a difference while she was here. The original plan was only to bring baskets to those under Hospice care. But then a friend posted about her friend who had been recently diagnosed with cancer. I thought maybe I could pull together a care package to send. Her response was favorable, so I sent one to another person battling cancer. Then donations in all shapes and sizes began to show up in my office and home. I never expected it and was overjoyed and overwhelmed by everyone's generosity. This enabled me to do more than I had ever dreamed. Before long, we brought our camper home and it became the office for Leah's Baskets. I LOVE giving a little bit of joy to those under Hospice Care, but it's wonderfully fulfilling to send a box of love filled with hope and support to someone we hope will beat this dreaded disease. Bless you all, those fighting, those supporting and those that now watch us from above. XOXOXO
Mary customizes each gift basket after a brief interview with the loved one's family or friend, and she also includes items she's curated that are inspired by Leah's dragonfly.
Just look at these recent postings on facebook, there's activity nearly every few days!
Others donate items to add to the stock....
As my mom said, "Can you think of anything more perfect to honor Leah than this."
Undoubtedly, each basket is imbued with Leah's love and she would be extremely touched knowing this was being done in her name, as are we.
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Leah's 38th birthday
The drizzle let up today and a few of Leah's cousins and I went to the beautiful stone bench located on the forest trail near her house, on her 38th birthday...
I have to agree that the not knowing is very scary and makes me afraid. And I have to say the adventure I have is not one I would have chosen but it is what I was given. I try every day to learn to accept it and accept that I cannot change it. I can only change how I chose to handle what I was given. A lot of people have used the word Grace when describing how I handle my cancer, I kind of like that. I certainly try to have grace and acceptance and I think that's what warriors need. -Leah Ploutz
Friday, July 22, 2016
Leah's Birthday!
First I want to call attention to two posts she wrote regarding her birthday: "DOB: 7/22/1980" and "another birthday".
This particular story is what someone described as having "That interplay of reality and magic makes it the most complex and subtle exploration of grief in a children’s film – perhaps any film full stop – since Pixar’s Up.".
Monday, June 6, 2016
Everyday Hearts
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Missing Leah
It's been a year since Leah passed away, on March 23rd, 2015
A Paypal account has been setup for Elly and Drew's trust fund. If you would like to donate, the Paypal button is posted below. There is no need to actually have a Paypal account to donate you can check-out as a guest if you and use any credit card.
Monday, February 8, 2016
"Leah's Baskets"
Mary Valentine, has created a non-profit in Leah's memory. She writes:
I started this venture on January 1st and work with our local hospice in Watertown, NY. We’ve created a new patient “welcome” basket and deliver monthly “thinking of you” baskets to the 8 residents. Since I’m doing this by myself and I work full-time, I’m just concentrating on this Hospice. It’s my hope that by next Christmas I can send holiday baskets to the hospice that cared for Leah in RI.
check it out on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/leahsbaskets1/
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Everyday Hearts book on sale
It is wonderful that you're still checking Leeah's blog though not much has been going on.
The book Everyday Hearts (created in dedication to Leah) will be available for purchase again soon and can be ordered through Jackie Davis at jackiebmassage@cox.net. Proceeds will continue to go to the Elleanah and Drew Ploutz Trust Fund.
Copies compltely sold out at Leah's Memorial Party on July 25th, so Jackie is collecting orders for a second round. $25 for the book plus $5 for shipping. The inspirational book is a great gift and Christmas season is approaching!
Jackie is also considering making another book available next March, so stay tuned! Many people have shared the hearts they have found in unexpected places and it has been very inspiring.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Leah's Dragonfly Fun Run/Walk
Date: July 25th
Time: 9:30 am
Place: 151 Carriage Drive, Portsmouth RI
We will be running and/or walking starting on Carriage Drive, through the Aquidneck Land Trust (one of Leah's favorite spots), and around Oakland Farms. The total distance is about 2 miles.
Feel free to wear a warrior t-shirt or a blue shirt for colon cancer.
Please sign up at the following link so Sarah can get a rough count of how many peoplw will be there.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0945afaf2ea1fb6-leahs/
Thanks for your support!!!!
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Leah's Memorial Event July 25th
When: Saturday July 25, 2015 (rain or shine - there will be a big tent)
starts at 1:00pm - come & go as you'd like during the day
Where: Ploutz House - 151 Carriage Drive, Portsmouth, RI (parking along street)
Who: Family & friends. If you're wondering if you're a close enough friend to attend, the answer is yes! They'd love to have you!
La Bella Musica (a string quartet!!) will start playing at 1:30pm
There will be food from Becky's BBQ! Barbeque pulled chicken and pork, corn on the cob, corn bread, baked beans, potato salad, and cole slaw.
If you'd like something else, feel free to bring a side dish to share or a dessert. Please use disposable dishes/platters or take home any dishes you'd like to keep.
There will be yard activities for the kids (playground, and maybe a water table & bouncy house)
A Facebook event was created to track RSVP's to get a rough head count. Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1449775035340905/
It should be open to anyone but if you have trouble accessing it, let us know. You may also RSVP by commenting to this post.
There will be more information on the Fun Run later.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Everyday Hearts
Everyday Hearts - an inspirational photo book |
Leah's friend, Jackie Davis, has created a wonderful photo book in memory of Leah. Details are below. It is a joy to "find" the heart in each photograph, and inspires me to look at nature more closely.
Please consider pre-ordering your copy by emailing Jackie at jackiebmassage@cox.net before June 13th so she can order enough.
So I finally put all those hearts I've been finding to good use. After losing my friend Leah in March I got the idea (though she had actually set it in motion before she passed away).
During Leah's battle with colon cancer I would send her texts with photos of the hearts I found. She used to tell me I should make a book with my heart photos. After going over the idea with her husband Bryan I decided to do just that.
I created a book called 'Everyday Hearts.' It features over 35 photos of the hearts I've found with stories that go with them. The book is dedicated to Leah and proceeds from its sale will go to the Trust Fund that has been set up for her young children Elleanah and Drew.
'Everyday Hearts' is $25, will be gift-wrapped and include a bookmark. It's a 5.75" x 7.75" hardcover book with 20 pages of photos.
It will be available at some local businesses in Bristol. I'll have copies as will Kim McCarthy. And they'll be available at Leah's event in July.
Books can be shipped for a fee of $5. If it's a gift I can ship it and include a hand-written note to the receiver on your behalf.
I'd like to know who is interested in purchasing a book so I can be sure to order enough. I can ship it to you or set aside for you and have it at the event in July. Or Kim or I can coordinate it being picked up. They will be ready within the next two weeks or so.
I can be reached at: jackiebmassage@cox.net
Thank you to my husband Tim, Leah's husband Bryan and Leah's friend Kim for all their help!
~ Jackie Davis
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Save the Date! Saturday, July 25th
Family and Friends Fun Run in the morning, organized by Leah's cousins.
Memorial Party the same day in the afternoon, hosted by Bryan.
Details to be determined.