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January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month, National Blood Donor Month and National Migraine Awareness Month.

Did you know that Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome shares many similarities with migraines?

July 27, 2008

Magic Marker Monday — A Drawing For A Friend

Written by Michelle

MMM

"It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child."

~Pablo Picasso

Hi there! Welcome to our second Magic Marker Monday! What's that? You haven't heard about Magic Marker Monday yet? Well, click here and then hurry right back…

Everybody ready now? Well, then let's get started!

JA1

One of the most wonderful things about the world of blogging is the opportunity to connect with others. Through blogging, my family has made some incredible friends and Jacqui has had the opportunity to get to know about other children who face the same challenges that she does. It helps her to know that she's not alone, and she has learned to focus on compassion towards others rather than becoming discouraged by her own medical challenges.

One of Jacqui's very special friends is Maizie. Maizie is a beautiful and brilliant little girl that our family has come to adore through her amazing mom, Marla from Marla Baltes On All That Is Dazlious.

Jacqui and Maizie share a rare disorder known as cyclic vomiting syndrome, and a love of art and animals. The picture above is one that Jacqui drew especially for Marla and Maizie. It's a self-portrait and a drawing of Jacqui's buddy, Niki, who went to doggy heaven three years ago.

And let me tell you, did I ever have a hard time parting with this picture! Jacqui would not be persuaded to draw a duplicate, and off in the mail it went. We recently received a lovely card back from Maizie featuring some of her lovely artwork and Jacqui has insisted on sleeping with it under her pillow ever since.

Through Jacqui's drawings, I see hope and joy — even during times that I know are difficult for her. Even during the tough times, Jacqui draws smiles, and hearts and rainbows. She fills my life with color and puts a song in my heart!