Madilyn's Education
Donation protected
I remember the day that Madilyn Gray came to me and told me that she "wanted to go to Paris" and asked me how she could get there. Stunned by such a bold origination by a 4-year old, I struggled at first to take her seriously. But, she was serious. In effort not to rebuff or thrwart her big little dreams, I looked into her waiting eyes and said the first thing that came to mind: you need to open up a bank account, you need to save every bit of money you can, work as hard as you can, and you'll get there.
She opened her account on April 3, 2014. She continued to take herself as seriously as I had and begin to think of everything she could do to earn, collect, and save money. She painted and drew pictures throughout the week and sold them alongside me while I sold Droddy Cobblers at the local farmer's market. She's done yard work for various folks. She's powerwashed a barn with supervision. She never spent a dime of her "tooth fairy" money, her birthday money, or any donations made by friends or family members. I have continuously admired her discipline and sacrifice of immediate gratification.
It began to dawn on me that I may be her only obstacle in getting to Paris, if I didn't hurry and get my own perverbial ducks in a row. In less than three years, she had saved the money to get there. She had everything she needed for hotel and airfair. I did not. So, I took the advice I had given her. And now I am happy and scared to say that I have now saved my money for hotel and airfare as well. "Scared", I say, because as a solo parent, it is unsettling to spend money~period. On anything. Much less Paris. Imagine the frivolity? I can think of a million reasons not to go, but I can't shake the one reason to: she's earned it, and she did what she said she was going to do. I want to honor that. And I want to take the pristine opportunity to demonstrate to her that hard work does beget opportunity; if you set a goal and stay focused, you can achieve it. Imagine fully learning this at 8!
Speaking of learning...learning is what brings me here. Some time ago, I had a photographer friend in Chicago suggest I start a gofundme page and we may get there way sooner than we thought. I believed in the possibilty, but the idea of friends and supporters funding the entire trip did not settle well with me. Now that we both have our way paid, what I am open to and excited about is helping Madilyn take her trip to the next level by affording her a way to truly receive an education out of her one week stay. There are enumeral opportunities for her to learn in France. Many of them free, some average, and some of them quite costly. I want her to experience as much as possible.
Her adventurous goal is to visit every monument and attraction in a classic book that she was gifted called This is Paris. Namely a church called The Madeleine, I mean, of course...it's named after her, she says. I'd like us to both be able to obtain Paris Passes in order to explore as many museums as possible in the most economical way, and navigate the Metros quickly and safely. Those who know Madilyn know that she has studied ballet for as long as she has saved for Paris, so I would really love the opportunity to take her to see William Forsythe at the Paris Opera. Imagine how that could change the trajectory of one's path who is also extremely serious about becoming a professional ballet dancer and instructor some day! The possibilites are too many to name...and if we don't get to do a single thing except be there, and be together, I will consider the endeavor a success and a long time coming as it would also be our first time to ever vacation together as well. However, knowing all there is there for her to learn there, which will contribute to her future education, outlook, and success, I want to make every effort I can to maximize our trip and I am now taking my friend's advice and raising additional funding for her sake. Our goal is May 8th.
I sincerely, and I know Madilyn will, appreciate any and all sponsorships. Special thanks to all of you have followed and supported her determination along the way...
She opened her account on April 3, 2014. She continued to take herself as seriously as I had and begin to think of everything she could do to earn, collect, and save money. She painted and drew pictures throughout the week and sold them alongside me while I sold Droddy Cobblers at the local farmer's market. She's done yard work for various folks. She's powerwashed a barn with supervision. She never spent a dime of her "tooth fairy" money, her birthday money, or any donations made by friends or family members. I have continuously admired her discipline and sacrifice of immediate gratification.
It began to dawn on me that I may be her only obstacle in getting to Paris, if I didn't hurry and get my own perverbial ducks in a row. In less than three years, she had saved the money to get there. She had everything she needed for hotel and airfair. I did not. So, I took the advice I had given her. And now I am happy and scared to say that I have now saved my money for hotel and airfare as well. "Scared", I say, because as a solo parent, it is unsettling to spend money~period. On anything. Much less Paris. Imagine the frivolity? I can think of a million reasons not to go, but I can't shake the one reason to: she's earned it, and she did what she said she was going to do. I want to honor that. And I want to take the pristine opportunity to demonstrate to her that hard work does beget opportunity; if you set a goal and stay focused, you can achieve it. Imagine fully learning this at 8!
Speaking of learning...learning is what brings me here. Some time ago, I had a photographer friend in Chicago suggest I start a gofundme page and we may get there way sooner than we thought. I believed in the possibilty, but the idea of friends and supporters funding the entire trip did not settle well with me. Now that we both have our way paid, what I am open to and excited about is helping Madilyn take her trip to the next level by affording her a way to truly receive an education out of her one week stay. There are enumeral opportunities for her to learn in France. Many of them free, some average, and some of them quite costly. I want her to experience as much as possible.
Her adventurous goal is to visit every monument and attraction in a classic book that she was gifted called This is Paris. Namely a church called The Madeleine, I mean, of course...it's named after her, she says. I'd like us to both be able to obtain Paris Passes in order to explore as many museums as possible in the most economical way, and navigate the Metros quickly and safely. Those who know Madilyn know that she has studied ballet for as long as she has saved for Paris, so I would really love the opportunity to take her to see William Forsythe at the Paris Opera. Imagine how that could change the trajectory of one's path who is also extremely serious about becoming a professional ballet dancer and instructor some day! The possibilites are too many to name...and if we don't get to do a single thing except be there, and be together, I will consider the endeavor a success and a long time coming as it would also be our first time to ever vacation together as well. However, knowing all there is there for her to learn there, which will contribute to her future education, outlook, and success, I want to make every effort I can to maximize our trip and I am now taking my friend's advice and raising additional funding for her sake. Our goal is May 8th.
I sincerely, and I know Madilyn will, appreciate any and all sponsorships. Special thanks to all of you have followed and supported her determination along the way...
Organizer
April Janell Droddy
Organizer
Madison, IN