Gillian Kohn

It’s a rare occurrence to get everyone in my family together in a video…

To be quite honest, it may never happen again (you know, teenagers)?! 🤣

More importantly though, we got keys for our new ‘home’ today and made our very first haul of belongings.

And friends, we are humbled!

We are so incredibly thankful…

We also know it could never have happened without the support of so many of you.

(I’m sorry this isn’t short.)

Two weeks ago we faced the magistrate for eviction proceedings, and our future was unclear?

The emotional and financial stress I’ve felt these past few years since my husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis has been tremendous.

I have feared homelessness, injury (when away), lack of transportation, hunger (basically every physiological need on Maslow’s hierarchy) with every waking moment. I’ve vacillated from the trauma of one dire necessity to the next.

But through my fear, the struggle and fight, I can see clearly what life’s about: faith, family (biological and chosen), empathy, humility, selflessness, appreciation, kindness, forgiveness and connection.

Oh, and respect.

Respect for the little time we truly have in this life.

Thank you for easing our burden.

Thank you for seeing our light as a family.

*** As a result of your generosity, we get to keep Aksel in place as a percussion major at our local high school for the arts. (He’s been there for five years.)

He will also keep his direct bus transportation, which as many of you know from our morning songs, is so important to him.

My baby, Alistair, who I question has had it harder than most (sibling with autism, father with MS), gets to continue on his dream academic journey — an opportunity he fought to have of his own hard work — at one of the best lottery middle schools in the southeast.

He’s made straight A’s all year long, because HE wants it. I admire his integrity, maturity and resolve.

(A teenager-approved ‘Meet Alistair’ post to follow.)

In closing, my husband and I also will finally have a bedroom of our own after many years of sleeping on our couch.

Much love to you all this holiday weekend! ❤️

Aksel loves this song, and asked to sing it again at the close of another school year.

(If you scroll back, you’ll find last year’s cover too.) 😎

To us, it’s a song of celebration. Big or small, we celebrate everything around here…

Closing out his sophomore year with a 4.0 GPA, I am inspired by Aksel’s determination and drive to excel. Younger brother’s persistence and grit too.

True wealth and success for me in this life, is knowing that my boys are thriving of their own hard work and merit. Knowing that they’re taking active lead in creating their realities and accomplishing their respective goals.

Much love to you all this balmy Friday, and thank you for being here with us! We get keys for our new home today! 🎉🥳🎊

Sharing our ‘before-the-bus’ songs consistently this past month has been such a beautiful experience.

My faith in the goodness of people, the true power of music and the positive benefits of social media have been renewed.

Thank you for that…

For each and every kind word, your funny spot-on GIFS (I’m a visual person) and your genuine belief in my talented boy, Aksel. 👦🏻

We will always love crooning 95-year-old jazz standards… they’re at the very core of our musical journey together.

And we will always be grateful you’re here with us! 💜🎶