Finding Joy in the Little Things

Hello loyal friends,

My favorite dinosaur is a plesiosaurus. I have one because my nephew asked me a few years ago what my favorite dinosaur was, and when I told him I didn’t have one, he responded, “everyone should have a favorite dinosaur.” And he was right, everyone should have a favorite dinosaur.

That moment with my nephew stuck with me, not only because it was adorable, but because it was a reminder of two distinct truths: joy can be simple, and more importantly, it should be shared. At the Treasure Chest Foundation, we are in the business of joy. Not flashy or complicated joy, but the kind that arrives in the form of a surprise toy, a thoughtful gift card or a small act of kindness on a very hard day.

The children and teens we serve don’t get to take a break from their treatments. Their days are filled with doctor visits, medications and sometimes fear. But when they open the Treasure Chest after a long appointment or a painful procedure, they get a small reminder that life isn’t just about being sick. It’s still about being a kid. It’s still about having favorite colors, favorite songs, favorite hobbies and yes, favorite dinosaurs.

Every toy we send is a tiny burst of normalcy. A chance to feel seen. A chance to remember that even during cancer treatment, kids deserve to feel the same kind of joy and wonder we all felt when we were young. And that is where your support goes, to fuel the simple joys the Treasure Chest brings on the long, hard days. It goes to supplying our Treasure Chests full of favorite dinosaurs.

The simple joy of having a favorite dinosaur is something everyone should have. As adults we don’t often ponder or delight in those simple joys, and that is a shame. So the next time you see me, or even when you send in a donation, take a moment to share yours. Tell me your favorite dinosaur. Let’s keep joy alive in the little things, just like we do every day for the kids we serve.