If you have a bad day, hug your Olaf, and Let it Go!

Before Grampa Bud died of lung cancer (Large Cell Neuro-Endocrine Carcinoma) he kept reminding us of the money he had been saving in a jar at home for his grandchildren's Christmas gifts.  He thought it was about $300 by now.  He was having some trouble remembering things, but he always seemed to remember about that jar of money and wanted us to be sure to look for it.  

As his cancer was progressing, his six year old granddaughter, Leah, who lives in Utah sent her Olaf with her Dad to California "so you can hold him and feel better".   He really did find some contentment with the Olaf wrapped up in his arms.  

Papa Bud with Olaf  11/14/2014

One night shortly before Grampa passed away the Olaf was put in the corner of the room so he could see it.  In the morning it was with him in his bed, wrapped in his arms.  Everyone in the house was asked if they moved it for him, no one had.  He had side rails up so he couldn't move from the bed even if he did have the strength, which he didn't.  So there was no earthly explanation how that Olaf ended up enveloped in his arms, but there he was.

After Grampa died Leah got her Olaf back filled with hugs from Grampa.  The grandchildren, particularly the oldest, Hailey, wondered what could be done with the money in Grampa's coin jar that would be a memorial for him.   It was decided that it would be used to buy Olaf's for children with Cancer.  The obvious reason was that Grampa had Cancer and he loved children.  What a wonderful way to honor Grampa/Papa Bud.  

Leah with her Olaf

Leah and Dax with their Olaf's

Dax with his Olaf

When we found the coin jar it didn't have as much money as he thought it did.  It only had $148.34.  After sharing with friends and family they thought it was a wonderful way to honor Raymond "Bud" Trosper too.  There was enough money donated to purchase 80 Olaf's.  It was decided to donate the Olaf's to Loma Linda Pediatric Oncology patients with a little note that says "If you have a bad day, hug your Olaf, and LET IT GO!" 

All of Bud's grandchildren Hailey (16), Madyson (14), Leah (6), Grace (4), Jane (3), Dax (almost 2), and Lucas (1) will cherish forever the Olaf's they got from Grampa/Papa Bud and the memory of sharing Olaf's with all the children who get the special hugs from their Olaf's too!