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Jack and daughter Lauren Strain blow out her candles at her ninth birthday celebration.

Abington Journal/Adriane Heine

The invitation came as a surprise. It was three years ago and my daughter Dani was enjoying her first Girl Scout experience. She was a “Daisy,” the lesser-known precursor to a Brownie. She had two dedicated, enthusiastic troop leaders, moms who volunteered their time to guide 20 kindergarteners through arts and crafts, community service projects and recreational outings.

The invitation was to attend the sixth birthday party of Lauren Strain, the daughter of one of the selfless, volunteer leaders.

“Mom!” Dani exclaimed. “Can I go? Can I? Please?” She was just getting to know this new group of girls and was thrilled to be included. Lauren, like her mother, always had a warm smile and a kind word.

Then last year, midway through the school year and Brownie season, Lauren’s tireless mom, Christina Strain, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Lauren’s eighth birthday would be their last together.

Once again, the invitation came as a surprise.

“Please join us for a weekend at Great Wolf Lodge,” it stated. It was time for Lauren’s ninth birthday celebration. When Christina passed away last summer, her husband Jack requested that, in lieu of flowers, people pay their respects by donating in her name to the Brownie troop. Christina had always envisioned the troop making a special trip to enjoy the water park hotel in the Poconos together.

Jack’s commitment to carry on his wife’s legacy led to a very special weekend for his daughter and the other Brownies in her troop. Despite now being a single dad to Lauren and her younger twin brothers, he took those donations and put them toward his wife and daughter’s beloved Brownie troop.

The beautiful smile on his daughter’s lovely face as she splashed and frolicked in the waves surrounded by her friends, was a testament to both of her parents’ love and commitment. She blew out her candles on this first birthday without her mother, surrounded by 19 fellow Brownies, her father at her side.