Part 2: Rolling the Credits
Jun. 10th, 2007 08:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
altarflameWe thought we did so well, coming up with an $8k budget for April in Boston. When I went two weeks overdue and Elise needed weeks in hospital, however, we had no idea what we were going to do. Not to mention that to say that our personal resources - of time, attention and energy - were stretched is an understatement.
I can't just let the hundreds of people who've went out of their way for us go unmentioned, but I also don't feel capable of sending this many thank you cards or what have you. I've never felt so moved by human kindness before, though, and maybe if I share here just what I can recall of all we've been offered, other people will be moved, too.
I am so grateful for:
-Anne of Canada, who sent us home-sewn, AWESOME receiving blankets, baby clothes, big kid winter gear, and an amazing grab bag of road trip surprises wrapped for each of our children, all totally unsolicited and before we ever left Homestead - along with money, and quite a few deeply encouraging emails.
-![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
erinmdmd, who sent us unsolicited money before we left and helped when we asked, once we realized our stay would be so extended - but also set up http://www.tinaandelise.com and really just put a LOT of her time and talents into helping us.
-thecrazy people Morgunovas, who rented us their apartment knowing we had a gaggle of little kids and planned to give birth there.
-julierocket, who checked out said apartment for us even though it was far out of her way, and came there to see us with wooden toys and Baby Gap clothes in tow.
-babyslime, who helped give me the strength and confidence to believe I could birth to begin with, sent me a piece of herself, knew just what groceries to pick out when the time came, talked to me on the phone while I was laboring and while I was grieving and terrified, contributed to the raffle for our benefit, and so much more.
-mommydama, and the whole Johnson family, for giving us space saving options for our van, providing a place for us to stay on the road, giving my daughter a birthday party on the way back, and generally showing more hospitality than I've ever received.
-apple_seed, for setting up the raffle for our benefit
-all of the people who contributed to that raffle
-the dozens and dozens of people who sent us donations ranging from $500, to 6 crumpled one dollar bills in a handwritten card saying they wish they could do more. I got $51 dollars from one LLL friend - $50 from her, and $1 from her son, who emptied his piggy bank :*D
-my dad, who posted on the board for extra shifts at work, so he would have more to send
-my nana and pa, and Grant's parents, who sent help
-my mother, who came to Boston and stayed for 3 whole weeks of not being allowed to smoke inside and missing work and being far from her husband and my brother. What would we have done, when the time came, if she hadn't been there. Do you know how important it was to me, mom, when I would come home in the middle of the night a wreck and you were there waiting to talk? She walked my four older kids to the park for whole afternoons, made them foods she wasn't familiar with, cleaned our apartment like mad. I'm crying just thinking about it
-my sister, who understood the whole time and gave me something to come home to, in more ways than one
-NICU nurses who did things like take Elise's picture while I wasn't there, kiss her, play with her, etc
-Sara/rainingkisses, who I so wanted to meet; she sent us the CUTEST, most amazing baby clothes, and freaking GOURMET chocolate chip cookies. Mmmmmm.
-a random waittress in Virginia who entertained my kids, brought us free things and provided phone numbers while I had a crisis in the middle of the night
-the nurse who looked into my eyes and asked me distracting questions, while I got spinal anesthesia
-the OB who came to my hospital room to sit and talk TO me (not at me) for an hour at a time, daily for 4 days
-the Care Coordinator who worked so hard for us and cried when we left
-Shaun, who came to Boston to drive back with Grant should Elise and I transfer, and who made funny and entertaining videos for the kids
-the endless numbers of lurkers and anonymous commenters who prayed for us, lit candles, and told strangers our story
-my PATH group, which is even now organizing a schedule for members bringing us dinner twice a week for the next two months
-Debbie, Poppy and others who have brain injured children of their own and have lent me information, support and help in understanding
-Someone who's relative owns a toy store in Massachusetts, that sent us a package of new things for each of my kids - all tailored to their individual interests
-God, who has become tangible to me through all of you, and also the pages of my devotional book
-and Nancy, who gave me what nobody else ever has...a chance. And then stuck by me every step of the way, when things went wrong.
Again, this is incomplete for now I'm sure. These three phases are all gonna be a work in progress.
I can't just let the hundreds of people who've went out of their way for us go unmentioned, but I also don't feel capable of sending this many thank you cards or what have you. I've never felt so moved by human kindness before, though, and maybe if I share here just what I can recall of all we've been offered, other people will be moved, too.
I am so grateful for:
-Anne of Canada, who sent us home-sewn, AWESOME receiving blankets, baby clothes, big kid winter gear, and an amazing grab bag of road trip surprises wrapped for each of our children, all totally unsolicited and before we ever left Homestead - along with money, and quite a few deeply encouraging emails.
-
erinmdmd, who sent us unsolicited money before we left and helped when we asked, once we realized our stay would be so extended - but also set up http://www.tinaandelise.com and really just put a LOT of her time and talents into helping us.-the
-
julierocket, who checked out said apartment for us even though it was far out of her way, and came there to see us with wooden toys and Baby Gap clothes in tow.-
babyslime, who helped give me the strength and confidence to believe I could birth to begin with, sent me a piece of herself, knew just what groceries to pick out when the time came, talked to me on the phone while I was laboring and while I was grieving and terrified, contributed to the raffle for our benefit, and so much more.-
mommydama, and the whole Johnson family, for giving us space saving options for our van, providing a place for us to stay on the road, giving my daughter a birthday party on the way back, and generally showing more hospitality than I've ever received. -
apple_seed, for setting up the raffle for our benefit-all of the people who contributed to that raffle
-the dozens and dozens of people who sent us donations ranging from $500, to 6 crumpled one dollar bills in a handwritten card saying they wish they could do more. I got $51 dollars from one LLL friend - $50 from her, and $1 from her son, who emptied his piggy bank :*D
-my dad, who posted on the board for extra shifts at work, so he would have more to send
-my nana and pa, and Grant's parents, who sent help
-my mother, who came to Boston and stayed for 3 whole weeks of not being allowed to smoke inside and missing work and being far from her husband and my brother. What would we have done, when the time came, if she hadn't been there. Do you know how important it was to me, mom, when I would come home in the middle of the night a wreck and you were there waiting to talk? She walked my four older kids to the park for whole afternoons, made them foods she wasn't familiar with, cleaned our apartment like mad. I'm crying just thinking about it
-my sister, who understood the whole time and gave me something to come home to, in more ways than one
-NICU nurses who did things like take Elise's picture while I wasn't there, kiss her, play with her, etc
-Sara/
rainingkisses, who I so wanted to meet; she sent us the CUTEST, most amazing baby clothes, and freaking GOURMET chocolate chip cookies. Mmmmmm.-a random waittress in Virginia who entertained my kids, brought us free things and provided phone numbers while I had a crisis in the middle of the night
-the nurse who looked into my eyes and asked me distracting questions, while I got spinal anesthesia
-the OB who came to my hospital room to sit and talk TO me (not at me) for an hour at a time, daily for 4 days
-the Care Coordinator who worked so hard for us and cried when we left
-Shaun, who came to Boston to drive back with Grant should Elise and I transfer, and who made funny and entertaining videos for the kids
-the endless numbers of lurkers and anonymous commenters who prayed for us, lit candles, and told strangers our story
-my PATH group, which is even now organizing a schedule for members bringing us dinner twice a week for the next two months
-Debbie, Poppy and others who have brain injured children of their own and have lent me information, support and help in understanding
-Someone who's relative owns a toy store in Massachusetts, that sent us a package of new things for each of my kids - all tailored to their individual interests
-God, who has become tangible to me through all of you, and also the pages of my devotional book
-and Nancy, who gave me what nobody else ever has...a chance. And then stuck by me every step of the way, when things went wrong.
Again, this is incomplete for now I'm sure. These three phases are all gonna be a work in progress.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-06-11 01:16 am (UTC)Human beings can be truly beautiful sometimes.
By the way, that wasn't hospitality! That was joy and thankfulness at finally getting to meet Tina and her family! That short time spent with you guys ranks right up there with time spent with my sisters and my "bosom friends." I don't know if that means anything to you, but I'm just trying to say it enhanced and beautified the friendship I already cherished online. Thank YOU for sharing yourself, your children, and your life with me and all these other people. We are blessed to know you.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-11 01:38 am (UTC)Your Experience
Date: 2007-06-11 02:12 am (UTC)Re: Your Experience
Date: 2007-06-11 06:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-11 02:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-11 03:51 am (UTC)I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to add you, so that I may continue to read and find out how everyone is doing. I'm glad you've all made it home safe, especially Elise.
Be well.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-11 04:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-11 05:13 am (UTC)I'm so glad you all are home safe.
An Echo of Gratitude
Date: 2007-06-11 06:09 pm (UTC)When such huge circumstances erupt in the life of someone so close to you the helplessness can be suffocating, but you all embodied the idea of "paying it foward" in a way that taught me that there really is so much that can be done and it all counts. I pray that you are all blessed seven fold for your kindness and assure you that it will not be forgotten.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-11 09:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-11 11:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 10:17 pm (UTC)