FORZA: a promise of strength, love and life
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Dear readers,
Just a year ago, I sat down at my keyboard to write to you from the very depths of my heart:
“Parole, a promise for a cause”.
At the time, my words were born of deep grief: the loss of a dear friend, taken by cancer. I made a promise then, to the heavens and to life itself: to support Think Pink, to turn sorrow into light, and to keep hope alive through the creations of ATELIER WITTMANN.
Rediscover this articleWhen life changes course
A promise caught up by reality
And yet, life sometimes takes the strangest of turns…
This year, it is my turn to be caught up by illness. Diagnosis, surgery this summer, treatment ongoing.
You may know me through our events and our shops: well past fifty, it takes a good deal more than this to knock me down! Tiredness and the odd twinge of pain, I simply brush aside. I carry on living, laughing, creating and loving, just as before — perhaps with an even fiercer appetite for life.
This ordeal has given me an even more visceral reason to commit to this cause. And while my resolve was already deeply rooted, an encounter this summer sent my courage soaring beyond measure.
Vania, a lesson in strength no higher than three apples
When the child shows the grown-up the way
After my operation, my greatest boost of energy came neither from the medical team nor from my own fighting spirit. It came from a tiny slip of a girl, no higher than three apples stacked together: little Vania.
Picture a wonderful little girl who, between the ages of two and a half and three and a half — an age when one's only concerns should be mischief and cuddles — had to face the ultimate trial of illness. A whole year of battles, of quiet courage and tremendous bravery.
And today? Victory. Vania is in remission. At the start of September, she put on her little schoolbag for her first day back. Her true childhood, free and joyful, could finally begin.
Vania is a ray of sunshine, a burst of laughter and innocence.
There is also, in our two names echoing one another — Tania and Vania — something of a knowing wink from fate: the grown-up receiving a masterclass in strength from the child. When one witnesses such a spark triumph over the storm, one no longer has the right to give up. One wants to seize life, celebrate every second, and move mountains.
From a fierce love of life to the sparkle of a jewel
The birth of the eighth charm in the Parole collection
I felt an irrepressible need to turn this fierce love of life into something tangible.
And so, with the help of Arnaud, my husband and lifelong partner in all things, the eighth charm of our Parole collection was born: the FORZA charm.
FORZA: strength, resilience.
A pure, universal word, full of momentum
Dedicated specially to the fight against cancer
Dedicated specially to the fight against cancer, this charm is crafted in precious gold and delicately set with white or pink diamonds, each one a shimmering echo of Think Pink and of the purity of our hopes.
Forza is not merely a word meaning “strength.” It is a cry of love, a banner, a promise worn close to the heart as a reminder that light always finds a way through. A pure, universal word, full of momentum, embodying that inner strength so essential both in the fight and in the healing that follows.
A commitment that beats stronger than ever
Think Pink, KickCancer and the Run to Kick
This year, then, our hearts beat even stronger.
We renew our commitment to Think Pink, we stand firmly alongside the wonderful KickCancer foundation, and of course we will be there for the Run to Kick, as part of Team “For Vania.”
Rest assured, dear readers, I remain realistic: with treatment underway, there will be no sprinting and certainly no marathon from me! But of one thing you may be certain: I will be there, trainers on my feet and a smile on my face. I will walk every step with pride, head held high, to celebrate life, to help drive research forward, and above all, for my wonderful little Vania.
Light always finds a way through
Illness sometimes believes it will have the final word. It simply forgets how invincible love, solidarity and the laughter of a child truly are.
Thank you for being part of our world. Thank you for helping us bring these words of gold and heart to life.
Wherever you are today, if a cloud should pass overhead, think of a little girl's laughter on her way to school. Look ahead with pride, and simply say to yourself:
FORZA!
With all my heart, my strength and my biggest smile,
Tania
(with Arnaud, Sacha and Inès always by my side)
How can you support us?
You can join us in this cause:
- By discovering the FORZA charm at Maison De Greef;
- By choosing one of our diamond-set FORZA bracelets from the Parole collection (for every set piece sold, 10% of the amount is donated directly by Maison De Greef to Think Pink);
- By taking part in the Run to Kick, whether running or walking, in support of paediatric research with KickCancer.