Good News and Difficult News
I’ve been quiet here recently for personal reasons. A story I shared with you last year took an unexpected turn, and it has been my focus lately. The story brings both good news and difficult news.
Last year, I shared about my sweet friend, 11-year-old Eva—twice, in fact—because she kept teaching me lessons I felt were worth sharing (link to September post and link to November post).
If you recall, Eva was courageously battling brain cancer and had a dream of making a lasting impact on her beloved community by building of a ninja warrior playground in her hometown—a space where kids could build strength and confidence by overcoming obstacles for years to come.
The good news is that friends, family, and big-hearted strangers rallied together to raise almost $200,000 to support Eva’s dream. I know many of you donated to her cause, and I’m still completely blown away by your generosity and support. Thank you!
For months, we had been in conversations with the City of Meridian about the project. And on Tuesday, January 21, the Meridian City Council unanimously voted to formally partner with Eva, provide a location for her park, and approve a budget amendment to cover the remaining funds (link to news story). Eva’s ninja playground will be built in Discovery Park in Meridian, Idaho, this spring.
The difficult news is that Eva’s tumor suddenly and unexpectedly caused a rapid decline in her health this month. Just three days after her playground was approved by the City, Eva entered the loving arms of Jesus. Knowing that her dream playground would be built in her community, for her community, was one of her proudest achievements.
In my blog post last September on leadership legacy, I shared the following: “Legacy is about impact. While it’s initiated or influenced by you, in the end, it’s not about you. It’s about the lasting result of your influence—who or what changed for the better because of your actions.”
Eva embodied this so well. Her faith in Jesus was incredibly strong, giving her hope, joy, and purpose throughout her battle. While she certainly could have focused on the struggles, she chose instead to bring light, joy, and encouragement to those around her. And now, her ninja warrior park will continue to do the same for years to come.
I could try to package this into one of my typical leadership “Two-Minute Tips,” but that doesn’t feel right. Nor could I summarize all that I learned from Eva in one short video or post. My girls, my husband, and I miss our precious friend who brought so much spark, love, and joy to our home and our lives. Despite the intense grief, Eva leaves me with a faith, hope, and sense of purpose that are tenfold stronger. That’s legacy.
Thank you again for your responses to my previous posts about Eva and for your tangible support of her dream ninja park.
If you’re like to learn more about Eva’s story and her inspiring courage and faith, you’re welcome to visit her support page here.