Dear Reader:

This story started quite inconspicuously when Tommy saw an article about a little stuffed tiger (looks like he was quite loved) discovered in the Clemson stands and after unsuccessful efforts to find its owner… the university decided to adopt it and let the student body vote on a name….almost unanimously the little tiger was named “Lachlan.”

Tommy…after reading the blurb on this stuffed animal….and thinking what a coincidence it was to choose the same name as our little “Lachlan’s name” (over so many other more familiar names)… he sent Walsh and Mollie the picture and story… being big Clemson fans…he knew they would be delighted with the choice.

The votes are in and the response was overwhelming. Meet Lachlan the Tiger! Well over 1,000 of you picked “Lachlan” as the name for this little stuffed tiger we found in the uppermost level of Memorial Stadium.

He will be prowling Clemson all summer so be ready for more of his adventures. Thanks to all who voted!

Apparently the student body has been having lots of fun this summer finding Lachlan in expected and unexpected locations around the campus.

It wasn’t until I did some research on the Lachlan selection that I discovered why the name was so popular and picked as the number one favorite by the Clemson voters.

Meet Lachlan Tannery:

This brave little boy fought a childhood form of leukemia ….making  trips with his siblings and parents (he is a twin) back and forth to MUSC for blood treatments. Sadly,  he passed away (a couple of months ago) this past May.

…But not before leaving behind a legacy of love and hope. Clemson fell in love with him as sororities, fraternities, school organizations, local businesses and the student body- at- large began organizing fund-raisers to help others in similar situations find bone-marrow donors.

If you pull the website ..you can find ways to help keep Lachlan’s short life meaningful and inspiring for everyone. Like the site says: One tiny life can change countless lives…

Mollie came over yesterday with the boys and we were all so inspired by the turn of events from Tommy’s email to discovering the real story behind the name chosen for the little tiger left behind…that the boys brought all their Clemson paraphernalia with them to honor Lachlan Tannery…a little boy who loved his Clemson Tigers.

Our little Lachlan:

We kept everything orange yesterday ….even down to dream- sicles…and orange leg casts!

Rutledge made a wish for Lachlan the Tiger...and threw a penny in the wishing well…a donation will be made to the Lachlan McIntosh Tannery Foundation from our family.

We felt like a dream-sicle was the appropriate choice of dessert….because we were all so moved by the courageous story of little Lachlan Tannery…that, we too, want to make sure that all little children get to grow up and dream dreams of the future while eating ice cream…it is the way life should be.

So until tomorrow…Life is complicated and sad sometimes and some answers will have to wait until the next world…but we can keep one child’s (at a time) life remembered forever…. hopefully through donations to  save others in that precious child’s honor.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

* Marcia…thank you for my surcie…a cup with the spiral on it…infinity…I know it will bring me good luck…and a “little” longevity would be great too!

Rutledge had a big surprise when he arrived at Boo Boo’s house yesterday….Honey and Mike had sent him a package….two wooden trucks….he was thrilled…even playing the piano with them! Y’all’s kindness exceeds anything I have ever seen!

* Thank you Roz for letting me know about the videos for little boys called “Twenty Trucks”….Rutledge is clued to them.

* Do check out Kaitlyn’s most recent blog post…I was quite impressed. Quite a gifted writer- “But Why?”

Google: swicegood yoga