by Jennie Camp Hudgins

My daughter is a student of Latin and would like to start a movement to revive this dead language! It is true that the Romance languages have Latin roots. I enjoy learning the roots of words…For my daughter and me, it’s something of a game we play. She “enlightens” me in this way…She likes feeling as though she knows something that I don’t. My pastor throws out lots of Latin and Greek words in his sermons, as well. A great communicator…a very gifted teacher…He weaves these words in with some really heavy, thought-provoking themes. He does this so eloquently that the sanctuary seems to brighten, as everyone sitting out in the pews has these little light bulbs lighting up above their heads! He told us once that, in Bible times, folks would sign their communications with the letters DV, meaning Deo Volente….God willing.

Deo Volente…What a wonderful way of surrendering control…putting everything in God’s hands…knowing that we exist by grace. We’d like to think that we have some control over the things that exist in the orbit that is our lives…our families, our friends, our careers. We have so much to control, as women. We are the ultimate puppet masters! The reality is that we cannot, so totally, control everything that we can assure a certain outcome. Nothing in life can be predicted with certainty. Cancer happens…or some other life-changing experience throws us way off course from what we’d planned. Again, we learn the lesson that we are not in control of all that we’d like. Although I truly cringe at the saying, “When God shuts a door, He opens a window,” I guess it’s true. There are always opportunities that come from the challenges of life.

As we attempt to make advancements in ovarian cancer awareness through Blue Hydrangea Tea Party, we recognize that we are only as successful as the good people who support us in our efforts. We have enjoyed an amazing grace, as our tea party concept has been embraced in so many states. We pray for continued support. We hope you’ll do what you can in your area to bring other women into the circle of awareness. Our hostesses are our heroes! We’d also like to thank some people we consider to be angels in our midst…They are the folks who put our idea into physical form…quite literally! Colleen Coletta of Design Studio C, who designed our graphic and developed our downloadable invitations. Michael Weaver of TminusZero, who designed, built, and hosts our website. Rhonda Rawl of Stratagem, LLC, our marketing consultant who coordinated all of these services and provides advice when we need it! And, although he shuns the acknowledgment, Keith Hudgins (my hubby) of the Electric Controller & Manufacturing Co., LLC who has been a tower of support - both financially and emotionally. In my frequent crises of confidence, he offers the encouragement to “persist without exception” and doesn’t hesitate to absorb the costs of this endeavor!

Now that the Blue Hydrangea Tea Party 2007 campaign is winding down, we begin what I think is the hardest part of the journey for us…the waiting. Remember that Elizabeth and I are sitting here with fingers and toes crossed, holding our collective breath, waiting to tally the results of the tea parties that you have so generously hosted. As we begin to hear back from you, we can release ourselves from this self-imposed torture and a sense of relief will wash over us, as we breathe deeply and bring our fingers and toes back into normal alignment! Seriously, please don’t leave us in a perpertual state of anxiety by forgetting that we are waiting to hear from you. And, we want to hear all of the details, too….Pretend you’re back in elementary school and are writing one of those, “What I Did On My Summer Vacation” assignments! Attach some digital photos to your email, if you’d like them posted on the website. You may use postal mail, as well….for our mailing address click on the Contact Us section of the website.

Blue Hydrangea Tea Party is an annual fundraiser always on the Saturday before Mothers’ Day. Even though the date has already passed, it doesn’t mean you can’t still host a tea party to support ovarian cancer awareness and research! If you would like to get involved you may register a party for an alternate date by going to the Host a Party section of the website. Just give us the details, making sure to include the alternate date. This has been a phenomenal year for us and we will be sharing the details of some of the parties from this year in the weeks and months to come. So, please remember to send us your stories and digital photos!

The results of this year’s campaign are out of our control…The anxiety will come, I know, but there is comfort knowing amazing grace abounds. We have the support of all of our dedicated hostesses who have answered the call with their whole hearts. It is, indeed, a blessing to make a difference in this life.

“Women Supporting Women in the Fight Against Ovarian Cancer”…Blue Hydrangea Tea Party… “Completing the circle from support to awareness”