As a Shot@Life Champion, I’m proud to contribute toĀ Blogust ā14,Ā Shot@Lifeās annual August campaign. For every comment, “like” and share on this post,Ā Walgreens will donate one vaccine, up to 60,000, to a child in need around the world. So before you even read this, please click “like” to provide one vaccine! Then please leave a comment, share on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and encourage everyone you know to do the same, in order to provide more vaccines. This is the easiest way to truly make a difference.
As moms, our lives are filled with so many firsts. Every new move our child makes is cause for celebration and a bittersweet sign that theyāre growing up.
I remember the first time I read the list my mom had compiled in my baby book, documenting even my first lamb chop. I laughed but inside I felt so warm and secure that someone loved me enough to care about that.
We beam and cheer our kids on at every milestone:
The first time they smile
The first time they laugh
Their first words
Their first steps
The first time they sleep through the night
The first time they eat solid food
Their first tooth
Their first haircut
Then, suddenly, thereās a whole new group of firsts and weāre kind of crying while weāre smiling:
The first time they get behind the wheel
The first time they go on a date
Their first college acceptance letter
Their first apartment
My kids have both graduated from college now and itās the first time my husband and I arenāt sending a child back to school in the fall.
We take so many of these firsts for granted but, all around the world, too many moms do not get to experience these life moments. Shot@Life and the United Nations Foundation are helping to make difference, and you can, too.
Just leave a comment below and share this post. For each comment and share this month, Walgreens will donate a vaccine to a child in need. How easy is that? One comment gives a child a chance at a lifetime of firsts.
This is not the first time Iām writing about Shot@Life, although it is the first time I’m writing for Blogust. You can read more about this important cause and Why I Traveled 3000 Miles to Advocate for Children Who Aren’t Mine here.
As for me, Iām looking forward to experiencing all these firsts again one day.
As a grandma.
During Shot@Lifeās Blogust 2014āa month-long blog relayāsome of North Americaās most beloved online writers, photo and video bloggers and Shot@Life Champions come together and share stories about Happy and Healthy Firsts.Ā Every time you comment onĀ this post and other Blogust contributions, or share them via social media on this website,Ā Shot@LifeĀ and theĀ United Nations FoundationĀ pages, Walgreens will donate one vaccine (up to 60,000).Ā Blogust is one part an overall commitment of Walgreens donating up to $1 million through its āGet a Shot. Give a Shot.ā campaign. The campaign will help provide millions of vaccines for children in need around the world.
Sign up hereĀ for a daily email so you can quickly and easily comment and share every day during Blogust! For more information, visitĀ shotatlife.orgĀ or join the conversation onĀ FacebookĀ andĀ Twitter.
Oh I loved the First Time They Slept Through The Night!!!! I am so nervous for all the grown up firsts. Congrats to you and your family on achieving so many wonderful firsts!!
I have to say that being a grandma is great first!
Glad to help. Have tweeted and G+ your post as well.
Done! š
Thanks!
The first time my daughter smiled was an amazing first for me. I’m experiencing a lot of firsts once again with my toddler and my oldest just started college so that’s a first as well. Love this post.
I have this smile etched in my brain and whenever I need it, it comes rushing in for me. A smile from your baby will last a life time for you. I know.
Now, I have my grandbaby Gabby. I don’t live close so it took a while for her to warm up to me when I was visiting. I gotta say,this was tough to handle. I hated it when her other grandma would walk in the room and she’d light up. Down right p1$$ed me off. LOL …jealousy. But then, it happened. I walked in the room and she smiled. Big. I was such a happy grammy! Love my pumpkin butt.
Glad to be a part of the cause. I have my very first Grand Dog and am looking forward to my first grand baby when the time comes.
The first time I saw my newborn son 26 years ago was the most precious moment in my life! I have cherished all the first times that had to do with my son and hope for future ones!
Thank you Walgreen’s for supplying the vaccine and thank you Lois for bringing it to our attention.
I think my mom would agree with you. She has loved being a nana to my two boys.
I love the advocacy aspect of this campaign. It’s so important to have access to health care and vaccines.
Lois! You are amazing. When I grow up, I want to be just like you!
This is a great post. And I love the ‘firsts’ in life. Thanks for sharing š
I’ll always remember the first time I held our baby in my arms. She was wearing a pink snowsuit The white trimmed hood framed her beautiful face that held the biggest brown eyes I’d never seen any like before. The social worker who handled the entire adoption process “delivered” her to our door. That was 57 years ago ,and now grey curls frame her face which remains beautiful in our eyes and those she cares for as a cardiac nurse.She had been called Peggy ,but we named her Ruth. Her Daddy handed out Baby Ruth candy bars rather than cigars!
Glad to help. Life is grand.
Done.
She was 8 months old.
I love anything for a good cause I’m glad you’re able to take part in it and allowing others to comment and share will benefit so many people.
What a great cause and happy to spread the word. I loved so many firsts with my babies, and one of the best was smelling their sweet baby heads. The first smile is also a joyous experience.
I have 2 children and you’re right.. Its all about the Firsts. This week was my daughter’s first day of kindergarten. Lots of pictures and lots of stories to tell when she gets older!
Love this! So much giving to others these days! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Child #2 heads to college in 22 days, but whose counting?
#dogood
Enjoying watching my first grandson right now as I am typing!!!!getting off the computer right now to give him my whole attention!!! š
Amazing! Sharing and asking others to do the same! You are a shining example of living with purpose Lois!
what a great thing Walgreens is doing this is awesome.
Adorable, adorable those kids and their mom are adorable. All for a great cause.
Awesome, good for Walgreens
LOVE that first picture!
And yes, I remember our first meeting and sitting with you getting coffee … fell in love on the spot š
Thanks for sharing this info! Keeping my son healthy is so important!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful piece for #blogust! Let’s get to 60,000 vaccines š
I am not a mom, but I was a nanny and as a result i didn’t get to see many of the firsts. Now that the kids are older our relationship is still present and I get to hear about hte firsts from both sides. It is interesting to hear and makes me realize how we ae all connected.
I am a grandmother and in total support
Thanks
Am I the first to say that your children look as rascally as you!
That is really generous! Thanks for taking part in this campaign. I will be sure to share. š
Congrats on your college graduates. š
Commenting and sharing, I love that it’s so easy to help!
This was a beautiful post, I really enjoyed it. You gave me a lot to think about.
This is a wonderful cause. I’m happy to help! Sharing and tweeting this.
Great cause.. I’m looking forward to seeing my children growing, even though I want to keep them little forever.
What a fantastic cause. I couldn’t be happier leaving a comment, knowing that it is going to something good. š
Awesome cause!
Even though a lot of firsts are now lasts, I’m looking for many future lasting “firsts.”
(did that make sense? I think it did š
I still remember looking into my boys eyes the first time. It is like time stood still and I wish I could have a moment like that everyday but with how fast paced our lives our it gets a little tough.
My son will be 16 in 3 weeks and will be able to get his permit…..the thought of him driving makes me nauseous! Glad my comment can help someone! š
Happy to help! Such a great cause!!!
Holy cow you’ve got a lot of comments! Fantastic!
Such truths here. And the firsts as a grandma are doubly special as they’re the first for your own child as a parent as well as the first for your grandchild.
We never tire of firsts, do we? We are infinitely blessed to be mothers… And grandmothers.
Great post! We all love the first milestones!
As much as I am sad about kindergarten starting, I am excited for the other firsts to come
The first time they drove away in their own car….actually, every time they drive away!
Glad to help. I, too, am looking forward to being a Grandma. In the meantime, my grandchild is a Bichon Frise.
What a cool way to help a great cause. I liked for you.
This is a great program. Vaccines are so important. I have a son starting College this year so it will be a year of firsts for him š
I remember every single first with my daughter. My most cherished memory was when I first held her in my arms in the hospital. The first thing I did was kiss her little nose and the second was check her pinkies. My mom and I both have slightly crooked pinkies and I was curious if my daughter would have them too. She did and it’s something very special that all three of us share!
What a worthy cause! that’s so wonderful of Walgreens to donate all those vaccines.
Now that my kids are getting older, the firsts are coming slower. My son getting his license will be our next big one.My husband and I were just remarking the other night that we could be grandparents sometime within the next 5-10 years. Scary!
I love seeing the pic of you and your kids now and back then! It is a reminder that time does fly!
I love this campaign
First time as a grandma? oh boy; not sure I’m ready for that yet! There are so many firsts to be thankful for.
Sounds like a great cause. That is awesome that Walgreens is providing this!
Gotta say, I’m DREADING the first time they drive, but I’m excited for their FIRST day at school. š
I remember all those firsts! And now I’m going through it all again as a Grandma! Love the name of your blog by the way!
There are so many firsts as a parent! I love it! Crossing my fingers I can have another baby filled with firsts š
Wow what a great cause! Glad to be helping it!
What a wonderful cause to champion. I also have an empty nest although mine has been filled with my mother and her Alzheimer’s but I am anxiously waiting on my twin grandchildren due on Christmas Eve.
Oh yes! The special milestones. It always reminds me of a commercial I once saw where these parents were laughing at everything their little girl did. Of course if you weren’t a parent you probably wouldn’t understand but it definitely makes you giddy. This is such a great cause. Walgreens is really starting to become my favorite company!
I love this campaign!!
What a great campaign! I feel that shots are very important to all.
I love that they do this so much! Those shots really can give a shot at life. I believe it!
Great campaign. I love all the firsts you list and I’m still going through many of my firsts with my 5 year old. In a week it will be her first day of kindergarten.
I would have commented anyway, but knowing that doing so helps children, makes my comment that much sweeter..
This is a great cause. My boys are still growing up but I am always watching out for their firsts.
I’m wearing my Shot@Life T-shirt right now – yay for messy easters! I’m so glad they are continuing with Blogust! My littlest dude is hitting a lot of important milestones right now and we are so grateful for all of his vaccines!
I’m so nervous for grown up firsts, too. Ugh
Commented, liked and shared! A very worthy cause, Miss Lois!
I clicked like. What a great campaign. I love to see companies giving back.
What a great cause! So happy to like and share!
Great cause and great mission. How do I share this so you get credit for it? Thanks!
Thanks for sharing Lois! Great post!
YOU ROCK This Is So Awesome Your Helping Others What A Great Great Cause Love Your Blog!!! XO š