Some of you have heard me talk about Emily Vonder Meulen.  She was a beautiful girl who lived on the west side, and through her father has touched me in a special way.  Last year, at the age of 13, Emily had an anaphylactic reaction to trace amounts of peanuts in a sandwich she ate, and because of this she lost her life.  Her father has posted information on a local forum under an allergy topic, which of course drew my attention.  It is because of the information that he posted that I started reading more about food allergies. 

     I came to realize that I got very complacent with Randy's food allergies.  I got familiar with different brands of food that always seemed to be safe, therefore I would sometimes forget to read ALL the labels.  I started allowing him to eat out at a few places because the first few times I checked the food appeared to be okay.  Well, I have since learned that this isn't good enough! Manufacturers change their processes all the time.  Restraunts are probably the most unsafe because there is much more going on back in the kitchen that could allow for an accidental cross-contamination. 

     I have also come to learn that it is in my heart ,and it is my duty to get involved somehow in advocacy for food allergy awareness.  I am not sure yet how I will do this, but it is inevitable.