We recently got a “no” on a grant because of our name — Cocktails & Caregivers.
And I’ll be honest… it broke my heart a little.
Since then, I’ve been running circles in my own head. The emotional side of me is holding tight to that little martini glass that means so much to this community. The business side of me is wondering if a different name would open more doors… and if that’s what’s best for caregivers.
Truthfully, I don’t know the answer yet.
But I do know this.
On February 4, 2012, I sat down and wrote my very first blog post. I chose a photo of myself holding a martini to introduce what would become this community.
Back then, our cocktail dates had turned into chemotherapy.
The martini glass wasn’t about drinking. It was about normalcy. A cheers. A quiet nod between caregivers that said, I see you.
Because caregiving isn’t just survivor ribbons and “fight like hell.”
Sometimes it’s just longing for one simple moment that feels normal again.
Fourteen years later, that little martini glass has come to symbolize something else.
Filling the cup of caregivers.
What started as a pink clip-art martini glass on a blog somehow became all of this…
A place to honor the beautiful life of Joe Clark.
A place to show our daughter that pain can have purpose.
A place where caregivers can whisper, “Oh shit… this is really hard.”
And a place where we try to lighten the load with what caregivers truly need — community… and sometimes a little money to help them get through.
Wherever we go from here, I hold tight to that girl with the martini glass.
Standing on her honeymoon.
Smiling for the camera while her husband fought cancer behind it.
And I hope this always remains a place that simply says:
Cheers to you.
To all of you hurting… and smiling anyway
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