Your Life Was Brilliant

23.

2008-10-13T20:41:00.005-04:00

23.
Today is October 14, 2008.
It would've been Alex's 23 birthday today.
3 birthdays without her. 21. 22. 23. 3 of those years that so many of us look back on and say-- man, those were good years. Those were the years that set up so much of what was yet to come. There is so much life to be lived in those years-- babies, engagements, travel, weddings, school, moves, love.
But not for Alex.
Not for my sister.
It is hard to look around and see the things she missed-- the tangible things-- the people she never met, the places she never went, the things she never got a chance to do. And to see the bigger things she couldn't see-- that she was loved, that we wanted to help her, that she was talented and wonderful, that she deserved to live. She should have lived to see these past 3 birthdays.

Billy Bob Thornton told Angelina Jolie when her mom died, "You'll never get over it. It's never going to be OK, and once you accept that, you realize you never want to get over it. Just kind of let it sit with you, and let it be a part of who you now are."

Just as Alex is a part of who we all are, who we all were...
... her death is a part of who we all are now.
We miss you, Al. We love you. It's never going to be OK that you're gone.
I will raise a fork full of cheesecake in your memory tonight, baby sister.
xoxoxoxo.

online registration....

2008-07-06T15:59:00.001-04:00

... is available for this year's race: follow this link.
Thanks so much,
gabby

Third Annual Alex DeVinny Memorial Run

2008-06-01T15:19:00.005-04:00

I cannot believe it's been over two years since Alex died. It still seems to me like one day she'll just pick up the phone and call-- that she's not really gone-- but I know she is. We've received such incredible support and love from so many people and cannot begin to say thank you to everyone, everywhere who has supported our family through these times.

Two years ago, I wrote these words on this blog:

... it is time to celebrate Alex. It is time to move forward, to prevent this from happening to anyone else-- to keep another family from losing a piece, to save lives from having to fight so hard against mental illness.... there is a race scheduled in her memory. The race is on a cross-country track where Alex, as this absolutely teeny tiny little freshman, set records and flew past her competition. She loved to run, and we loved to watch her.... All proceeds from this race, from the t-shirts designed for the race, and from the foundation established in Alex's name will go to furthering eating disorder research, and to helping those in need access the help they so badly need.

It is time for the third annual Alex DeVinny Memorial Run. Third. Wow. For those of you who've attended-- you know how overwhelming that day is for all of us. It's been an amazing turnout the past two years and I cannot wait to see all those faces, feel all that love again this year. If you are thinking of running/ walking/ attending in any way, that's the official registration form, in jpg format (as I still use good ol' Blogger-- I know of no other way to embed it here. Ever so sorry). Click on it to make it bigger, print it off, send it in-- we cannot wait to see you. Please email me with any questions.

Info: July 12, 2008. Registration begins at 7:30 am, the race itself at 9:00 a.m. at the UW Parkside Cross-Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Also-- where in the world is UW-Parkside, you might ask?? It's about an hour south of Milwaukee, and an hour north of Chicago. If you live in Gurnee, Illinois, you're essentially already there. Two hours from Madison, Wisconsin. Yes. Close to everything, really, right??? Click here for a campus map.

Directions: From Milwaukee: Interstate 94 south to Highway E in Kenosha County. East 4 miles. From Chicago: I-94 north to Highway E. East 4 miles. From Madison: I-94 to Milwaukee. I-894 bypass (Chicago exit), I-94 south to Highway E in Kenosha County. East 4 miles. From Kenosha: Access from 30th Avenue (Wood Road), 22nd Avenue, Sheridan Road (Highway 32), or Highway 31. From Racine:Access from Highway 31, Highway 32, or Meachem Road (Highway Y).

Thanks again for all the support and love over the past two years. It means the world to our family.

xoxoxo,g

on hope.

2007-08-21T10:32:00.001-04:00

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - AesopWe wanted to let you all know about an opportunity to help, and at the same time receive some amazing art.Our dad (an artist, and professor of art) has created a suite of prints in memory of my sister's struggle. The intaglio prints are absolutely breathtaking, and such a labor of love."In March of 2006, Alex DeVinny lost the most important race of her life with her long time rival, anorexia nervosa. Many of her last years and months were spent getting or trying to get treatment. While she was in-patient at the treatment facility in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, Lana and I would visit several times a week, making the trip from Racine "through the country." It is a pastoral Wisconsin landscape with scattered farms, many working, many having succumbed to the ravages of time. After her death those architectural relics of what was once strong and productive, became a metaphor for her life, her struggle, and work was started on a suite of etchings, "the Journey to Hope." These prints are not for sale, but rather will be given to those who will donate at least $500 to the Alex DeVinny Memorial Fund. Proceeds from this fund are used to support eating disorder education and research." -Doug DeVinny

I know that sounds like a tremendous amount of money to a lot of you (like me for instance), but in reality each print alone is worth that, and you get 11.

We realize it's out of the question for many, but we also know that we are blessed to be surrounded by an amazing network of creative people... and perhaps some of you are currently on the lookout for some artwork or...
you know someone that is...
you might consider going in with some friends, or a few friends... and then dividing the prints up.

We just wanted to let you all know about this unique opportunity, please let me know if you need more information, or if I can send you a flyer to look over.(ewillard9@gmail.com)
Spread the word. Love to you all. xe and g

second annual Alex DeVinny Memorial run

2007-06-22T09:30:00.000-04:00

About a year ago, I wrote these words on this blog:

... it is time to celebrate Alex. It is time to move forward, to prevent this from happening to anyone else-- to keep another family from losing a piece, to save lives from having to fight so hard against mental illness.... there is a race scheduled in her memory. The race is on a cross-country track where Alex, as this absolutely teeny tiny little freshman, set records and flew past her competition. She loved to run, and we loved to watch her.... All proceeds from this race, from the t-shirts designed for the race, and from the foundation established in Alex's name will go to furthering eating disorder research, and to helping those in need access the help they so badly need.

It is hard to believe that its been over a year since Alex died, that it is already time for the second annual Alex DeVinny Memorial Run ---> Click here for registration form.

If you are thinking of running/walking/attending in any way, that's the official registration form, in pdf format. Print it off, send it in-- we cannot wait to see you. Please email me with any questions. Also-- where in the world is UW-Parkside, you might ask?? It's about an hour south of Milwaukee, and an hour north of Chicago. If you live in Gurnee, Illinois, you're essentially already there. Two hours from Madison, Wisconsin. Yes. Close to everything, really, right???

Info:
July 14, 2007
9:00 am
UW Parkside Cross-Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Directions:
From Milwaukee: Interstate 94 south to Highway E in Kenosha County. East 4 miles.
From Chicago: I-94 north to Highway E. East 4 miles.
From Madison: I-94 to Milwaukee. I-894 bypass (Chicago exit), I-94 south to Highway E in Kenosha County. East 4 miles.
From Kenosha: Access from 30th Avenue (Wood Road), 22nd Avenue, Sheridan Road (Highway 32), or Highway 31.From Racine:Access from Highway 31, Highway 32, or Meachem Road (Highway Y).

and... a map:

Thanks again for all the support and love over the past year and a half. It means the world to our family.
xoxoxo,
g

yesterday.

2007-03-06T19:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday...
Marked one year since Alex died.
It is unusual to find me without words, but I am about how best, how possibly to put down how we all felt, how we all coped the past few days, and likely through this next weekend.
You don't ever forget. Anything.
I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing when my parents called me that Sunday morning to tell me Alex was gone.
My mom and I were talking this weekend and she said her biggest fear is that people are going to forget about Alex now that she's gone.
But I won't let that happen.
We won't let that happen.
But man... it is still so hard.
xoxox,
g

21.

2006-10-14T10:14:00.000-04:00

Today is October 14, 2006.
It would've been Alex's 21 birthday.
21.
Wow.
I remember feeling like life was just beginning at 21.
How much was left to do, left to find, left to become.
And it hurts so much to know that she won't ever know those feelings.
Her life stopped
At 20.
20. When there should be so much left ahead.

Today we would've celebrated.
She would've gone shopping
(her favorite thing)
And eaten a ridiculously fabulous dessert somewhere.
Today we should have done those things.
And we can't.
Her life was more fleeting than I ever would've guessed.
And because of that... we are never going to give up the fight.
We love you, Alex.

ee cummings, i carry your heart with me:

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

thank you.

2006-10-12T21:39:00.000-04:00

To those of you who have emailed me in the past month, I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to contact me-- and I have not forgotten about your emails. I am just behind... in everything... as per usual.

I also wanted to post two links, two stories that people should read.
The first is from the New York Times (and, yes, you'll have to register to get it, I do apologize for that-- but the NYT is good news): When Being Varsity-Fit Masks an Eating Disorder.
The second is from the Burlington, WI, Standard Press: Death of a Champion Should Touch Us All.

Thank you, everyone, for your support and your kind words. They continue to mean so much to all of us.
xoxo,
g

the Race

2006-08-01T13:31:00.000-04:00

Thank you to everyone that participated...
The turn out was incredible....

T-shirts from this years race are still avaliable in L and XL for $10....
please email Gabby or Erika if you're interested.

Please remember to check back as we plan for next year.
Thank you for helping to make a difference.

*if you made this amazing video, or know who did, please email Erika (ewillard9@cox.net)...
Thankyou.

people amaze me.....

2006-07-01T10:22:00.000-04:00

This could not be any cooler:

RACINE - Martinis, Makeovers and Munchies, a fundraiser for the Alex DeVinny Memorial Fund, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 10, at Yardarm Bar & Grill, 920 Erie St. The $10 fee will include a martini, a facial and beauty tips by a Mary Kay representative and a Pampered Chef cooking demonstration with recipe samples. People may also place orders. Participants will also receive Mary Kay and Pampered Chef goodie bags and door prizes will be awarded. The event is limited to 20 participants. Advance paid registration is required by visiting Yardarm Bar & Grill. If space permits, walk-ins will be accepted.

Registration proceeds and a portion of sales from orders will benefit the Alex DeVinny Memorial Fund. Alex DeVinny, a well-known runner from the Racine area, died March 5 at the age of 20 of cardiac arrest, following a long struggle with an eating disorder. The fund was established to honor Alex's life, to expand public understanding of and the prevention of eating disorders, and to promote research.

Martinis, Makeovers and Munchies is the first of a series of similar fundraisers to benefit local charities. For more information, call Theresa Greene-Dennison at (262) 497-8912 or Ali Gasser at (262) 994-1381.

Additionally, if anyone non-local is interested in purchasing Pampered Chef products through the fundraiser---they just have to go to www.pamperedchef.biz/aliciagasser click on order products, and type in Alex DeVinny Memorial Fund. The same holds true for the Mary Kay: check out www.marykay.com/tgreenedennison. A portion of the web order profits will also benefit Alex's fund.

xoxo,
g

race shirt design-- EDITED

2006-06-25T18:46:00.000-04:00

EDITED:
I'm sorry, I was incorrect.

There is an ENTIRELY different design for the race shirt, that I don't have. As I find out information, I will post it here. Please email me (link over there ---->) and let me know if you have any questions or want to receive an "A" shirt in addition to the race shirt; we'll do our best to ensure you have both on race day.

Thanks again,
Gabby

this is why i wear my shirt....

2006-06-07T19:58:00.000-04:00

So I wore my Cafe Press shirt today-- the one with the A on the front and the anorexia statistic on the back.
I took a few deep breaths this morning before I put it on.
I wore it to run errands.
To stand in line in the post office.
And go to the grocery store.
And to Panera Bread.

Each of these places?
The person behind me read my shirt and said-- ma'am, I'm sorry, I'm reading your shirt-- and I had no idea.
And I talked to them. I told them about Alex's life, and about her struggle. And they got teary eyed. And asked questions. And they all walked away with knowledge.

The week I got back from Racine, I was in a training class. The guy next to me asked about Alex's ring I had on, and we somehow got around to the fact that she had just died. I told him that she was anorexic, and that her heart failed, and that she died.
And he said....
"Well, was she fat?"
I remember thinking-- I have to get out of here, I cannot talk to this man, I am not ready for this. But I did. And when he left that class he said, I am so sorry about your sister, but I am so glad you talked to me. I really had no idea about any of those things. Thank you.

That's what I want.
As much as it hurts, as hard as it can be-- I want to talk to all these people. I want them to know. I could care less if we make any money off of them-- but I want each of you to wear it, and to talk to people. Create awareness. Make them understand.

Thank you for wearing your shirts. Thank you for making a statement. Thank you for fostering knowledge where there once was so much ignorance. I know it's hard. But please know that I am so grateful.
xoxox,
g

registration information-- and form for download!

2006-05-31T14:34:00.000-04:00

Phew.
At some point, I became techno-savvy.
OK, that's a lie.
But I did manage this one: Click here for registration form.
And I'm really proud of myself.
Yes, I am a huge dork.
ETA: just kidding. It actually didn't work. Thanks to Lisa, though, we made it work. Sigh. Still not techno-savvy.

If you are thinking of running, that's the official registration form, in pdf format.
Print it off, send it in-- we cannot wait to see you.
Please email me with any questions.

Also-- where in the world is UW-Parkside, you might ask??
It's about an hour south of Milwaukee, and an hour north of Chicago. If you live in Gurnee, Illinois, you're essentially already there. Two hours from Madison, Wisconsin. Yes. Close to everything, really, right???

Directions:
From Milwaukee:Interstate 94 south to Highway E in Kenosha County. East 4 miles.
From Chicago:I-94 north to Highway E. East 4 miles.
From Madison:I-94 to Milwaukee. I-894 bypass (Chicago exit), I-94 south to Highway E in Kenosha County. East 4 miles.
From Kenosha:Access from 30th Avenue (Wood Road), 22nd Avenue, Sheridan Road (Highway 32), or Highway 31.
From Racine:Access from Highway 31, Highway 32, or Meachem Road (Highway Y).

and... a map:

Thanks, everyone, for all your support....
xoxox,
g

that long-awaited announcement....

2006-05-25T17:34:00.000-04:00

Without further ado... click here!

Thank you, Mara, for finding the perfect quote.
Thank you, Jessica, for taking my "I sorta want an "a" with some wings or something like that maybe?!" and turning it into art.... your talent amazes me, your HUGE heart inspires me so much.
Thank you, Katie, for allowing us to use your amazing digi goodies...

Thank all of you for your support and for checking this out... as e said, cool shirt, important cause-- doesn't get much better than that.
xoxox,
g and e

run/walk details as we know 'em...

2006-05-16T11:13:00.000-04:00

OK.
Here are the details as we know them about Alex's run/walk (cuz I know I'm certainly not running!!):

July 15, 2006
9:00 am
UW Parkside Cross-Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
4k Run/Walk, with awards given for different age groups.
Amazing t-shirts (hint hint on the announcement)...
Amazing people.
Amazing legacy.

Please feel free to email us with questions or comments.
We'd love to see you all there.
xoxox,
Gabby and Erika

celebrating her life, giving her a legacy.

2006-05-12T18:02:00.000-04:00

As most of you know, on March 5, 2006, Erika and I lost our younger sister, Alex DeVinny, to anorexia nervosa. She was 20 years old.
Alex was a runner.
She was an inspiration, a friend, an artist, a teammate, a scholar.
She was a daughter, a sister, and aunt.
For a long time, we've had no words to say how we've been affected. How can you even begin to put in to words what it means to lose someone so young? Someone who should outlive you? Someone you should take care of? There was so much to our sister, so many facets to her personality, and so many demons she had to fight. Alex dealt with something more difficult than I can even imagine. We all loved her so much. And we couldn't save her. None of us could.

But it is time to celebrate Alex. It is time to move forward, to prevent this from happening to anyone else-- to keep another family from losing a piece, to save lives from having to fight so hard against mental illness.

On Saturday, July 15, there is a memorial run scheduled for Alex in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The race is on a cross-country track where Alex, as this absolutely teeny tiny little freshman, set records and flew past her competition. She loved to run, and we loved to watch her. We hope to see so many of you there. As soon as registration information becomes available, we will post it here. All proceeds from this race, from the t-shirts designed for the race, and from the foundation established in Alex's name will go to furthering eating disorder research, and to helping those in need access the help they so badly need.

Thank you all for your support, for your love, for your understanding. You have no idea how much it means to all of us.
-Gabby and Erika