For the Vinnett family, Mother’s Day is more than just another holiday filled with cards, flowers and candy. Instead, it’s a time for the family to reflect upon the many special memories they have of a woman who imparted words of wisdom and love upon them.
And even though that special woman passed away last year, she still manages to make her impression felt on the family each and every day. In an effort to return that favor, the family will launch a Web site on May 11 to celebrate her spirit.
“My wife, Lynn Vinnett, passed away with breast cancer in January of 2007, just five months after she was diagnosed with the illness,” Darren Vinnett, her husband, said. “We have three beautiful children; Paris age 14, Prince is 13 and Princess is 12, and we were married for 16 years.”
The Vinnett family has been keeping Lynn’s memory alive daily by living the lessons of love she left behind and creating a Web site to inspire, motivate and comfort others.
“We’re launching a Web site on Mother’s Day called www.asignofhope.com,” Darren said. “People can log on and share their stories of inspiration and hope.”
Darren says the word “H.O.P.E” stands for “Helping Other People to Excel.”
“We’re creating hope cards with inspirational messages and businesses can log on to the site, sign up as a sponsor and have the cards with the inspirational messages circulated throughout their business,” he said. “We want the site to be a resource for people who are going through something.”
Darren says everyone’s cancer may not be in their breast, like it was for his wife Lynn. Instead, that cancer could be manifesting itself in a variety of ways.
“Some people’s cancer might be their finances and some people’s cancer might be in their marriage or in their attitudes,” he said. “The Web site will help people to share their stories of struggle and inspire others on how they’ve overcome obstacles and survived them.”
Darren runs his own printing and sign business and is a devoted father who is not only raising his three children alone, but finds time to develop programs to work with young people in St. Charles Parish and the Gulf region.
“This summer we will host some youth mentorship and entrepreneurship programs for youth ages eight to 21,” he said. “We are looking for volunteers to help launch the summer youth program.”
Darren says the program will start in June and end in August.
“My goal is to teach young people about business and how it runs from start to finish,” he said. “You can never rise above the level of your thoughts. Change your thoughts and you’ll change your life.”
Darren says his family’s goal is to keep Lynn’s memory alive by doing positive and uplifting things in the community.
“It’s a community outreach,” he said. “We’re starting local, but we plan on being global someday.”
Darren says his wife believed in giving and he plans to make sure that her spirit of benevolence lives on.
“In the same spirit of giving that my wife had, we want to give an inspirational gift to anyone who simply emails us at asignofhopeinfo@gmail.com,” he said.
The lessons Lynn left Paris, Prince and Princess have kept their mom’s memory alive in their hearts.
“Since my mother died, it’s been kind of difficult,” Paris said. “But her memory inspires people in so many ways.”
Paris says her mother taught her to always stand for the right thing.
“My mother was strong in Christ and her life story gives people hope, courage and strength,” she said. “Even though doing the right thing isn’t always the popular choice, my mother stood for righteousness and I cherish this lesson she taught me by doing the same thing.”
Prince says his mother helped him become a gentleman.
“She taught me to open doors for ladies, to be polite and say ‘yes ma’am or sir,’” he said. “Things that seem old fashioned to some people. She raised me to respect people and I miss just hanging out with her.”
Princess says she hopes her mother knows just how much she’s thought about everyday.
“I miss being able to talk to an extra person,” she said. “I really want to tell her that I love her and I miss her.”
For more information on being a part of the Web site or to participate in the summer youth program, call 504-296-2414 or email asignofhopeinfo@gmail.com.
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