Happy Birthday to my one and only, Alex. 

Today, Alex would be 28 years old. 

January is a bittersweet month for me. The weather is cold and dark. Alex’s birthday is both filled with joy and grief. I am lucky that I get to have Alex ever-present in my heart and in my work, through the Foundation that bears her name. I am lucky that January is not only her birthday but also a time to reflect on the last year and the year ahead. I get to see how Alex is remembered on her birthday — even by people who never had a chance to meet her, but still celebrate her life and inspiration. And later this month we will celebrate her life and inspiration at our annual Lemon Ball.

I miss my daughter. 

When Alex started holding lemonade stands, I never imagined that someday her legacy would be more than $300 million raised to support childhood cancer research and families. Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is now the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the U.S.. The gift of her legacy has literally helped thousands of kids, some of whom we have had the pleasure to meet, like Philip, who came to the ALSF offices last year on Alex’s birthday. Alex was the spark but so many of you have kept her torch going and carried it forward for kids with cancer. What great accomplishments to reflect on during her birthday month!

Birthdays are special. For me, today is about Alex, my daughter. And while her story is forever wrapped up in her legacy of lemonade stands and curing childhood cancer, Alex was also a sister, a friend, a cousin, a niece, a granddaughter, and our beautiful child. 

Someone recently asked me to share my favorite memory of Alex. That was a tough one — how do you capture a moment in time and mark it as your favorite? There are so many memories and each one represents a piece of Alex that I get to have forever. In honor of her birthday, I wanted to share my eight favorite memories to mark the eight years Alex lived.

1. The day she was born. 
I often think back on that day as being a glimpse into Alex’s innate qualities. She arrived nearly six weeks early, a long and skinny surprise, ready for the world before she should be. Alex surprised everyone, again, on her second day, by being deemed healthy enough to go home with us. She showed us, from the very beginning, her strength and resiliency.   

2. The early memories of Alex and her older brother, Patrick. 
Just 15 months apart in age, Alex and Patrick were inseparable. Patrick would sit with her, hold her hand, and often wanted to climb into her crib. This was a glimpse of how important Patrick was to her (and her to him), as someone who was always there for her through the years, with the watchful eye of an older sibling.   

3. Alex and her younger brother Eddie dancing and singing in our kitchen like no one was watching. 
It still makes me smile to think about the time Alex and Eddie’s favorite song came on and they spontaneously started singing and dancing all around the kitchen, laughing more than singing. There was so much joy and playfulness in their relationship. When Alex was looking for fun and needed a smile, she would look for Eddie. 

4. Alex being a big sister to Joey. 
Joey was born when Alex was really fighting hard, in 2003. They spent so much time together as he accompanied us to the hospital most days. She watched over him constantly and reveled in seeing his “firsts”.  For months Alex worked diligently on knitting a little white cat, I thought for herself. She finished it just a couple days before Joey’s first birthday and was so proud to give it to him. Joey still has that little stuffed kitten which was a true gift from Alex as a reminder of their time together.

5. Memories with her dad, Jay. 
I have so many great father-daughter memories. I loved the moments they would banter back and forth, and I would be reminded of how alike they were in many ways. One of my very favorite stories was when Alex and Jay were sitting and talking about her using crutches at school to help her walk. Jay told her she could be the fastest kid on the playground if she did. She disagreed on using the crutches and quickly replied with a big smirk, “Haven’t you ever heard the story of the tortoise and the hare? Slow and steady wins the race.” It was hysterical because Jay was speechless. I was so proud of Alex for being confident in the person she was, not the person she wasn't. A quality that served her well in her challenging life. 

6.  Reading together. 
Some of my favorite memories are of the two of us reading together. As Alex got sicker, we spent more time at the hospital and more time resting at home. We would read together, usually the Little House on the Prairie books. It was so special to read those stories together, with me usually doing the reading and Alex listening so intently. We passed many, many hours reading and discussing the Little House books. I think it was an escape for both of us but also a reminder of how sometimes the simplest things can be the most joyful; something Alex appreciated, even at a young age.

7. A walk in the woods. 
I have a special moment that's so clear in my mind. We were on a hike with Alex and the boys. I looked up at one point and saw Alex about 25 yards in front of me walking by herself — no walker, no crutches — the sun was shining through the trees in front of her and it was just beautiful. She was trying to catch up to Jay and the boys, so patient and determined. I remember being so full of hope, that if she could hike in the woods on her own after being told she would never walk, maybe she could beat cancer. It was such a precious moment.

8.  Her first lemonade stand. 
At Alex’s first lemonade stand, I was inspired to see how many people supported her. At the end of the day, Alex said it was the best thing that ever happened to her. She was touched to see how many people wanted to help. I think it pushed her to do more — something the entire childhood cancer community is grateful to her for. 

What I wouldn't give to go back to and experience these memories again. I suppose that's what grieving is about: wishing you could go back in time but knowing you must move forward to cherish the life you have. Alex lives on in my memories and there is comfort in knowing that she lives on every day in the hearts of so many people.

Most importantly, Alex lives on in the stories of the many kids whose lives she's changed, touched and even cured. For that, I'm extremely grateful and joyful. What a legacy, what a beautiful life. Thank you for being part of it.

 Happy 28th birthday to the one and only, Alex!

Alex believed so much in working together, one lemonade stand and one cup of lemonade at a time. In honor of Alex’s birthday, you can give a one-time gift to continue her legacy of cures or join our One Cup at a Time Club and become a monthly donor. 

Give in honor of Alex