Monday, November 17, 2008

Still Sorting Through It

Last Wednesday was a very big night for Bree, and our family. It has taken me a few days to write about this because I still do not know where to begin. I feel that I am at a loss of words.
Word got around about Bree’s schizoencephaly at Ogden High School (my alma mater). HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) does a fund raiser every year and this year sponsored our Bree, our family really. OHS class of 2001 may remember the first Mr. Ogden Pageant…
We were invited to attend this year’s pageant it was a BLAST. I had so much fun watching the crazy boys dance around the stage showing off some truly creative and impressive talents; remembering life before life. I was taken back to my high school days. It was so much fun! I really loved it! However, when they talked about Bree I took her up on stage, I was grateful for her and our other children. I would never trade any of them or the problems we are facing for anything. The things I never knew I never knew.

I want to say thank you. I know it is not ever going to be enough. Where do I begin? Whom do I begin with? How do you tell an entire community that by them pulling together it means more your family than simply a monetary value? I in no way mean to make that sound like it is not important to us, because it is just the opposite. I did not even dream that it would be to such a great extent. Luke and I still have a hard time wrapping ourselves around it. Yes, we have both been involved in helping others even donating to fund raisers when we were high school students. Never did I truly realize what it means to be on the other side of it. It is a humbling, touching, emotional experience. THANK YOU. To a community; the businesses, churches and families that donated items to be raffled and gave checks. Thank you to the Ogden High Student body and their families for the donations and thinking of us, and letting us be a part of such a fun night. The boys that were in the pageant, willing not only create incredible memories for themselves but for doing it for little Bree! HOSA and their advisor, Mr. Christensen I can absolutely not forget the two sweet girls that organized all of this… Sara and Amanda! The two of you along with all of those boys will do great things! I know because you have all ready started!
Bree will hopefully be starting sign language classes and will continue with her Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies. Bree Anne is going to benefit more than I even thought.

4 comments:

Happy in Holland said...

That is SOOO awesome! I am so happy for you and your little Bree. I know it is not much of a suggestion (and maybe you were just asking rhetorically), but I guess it is a starting point--you could write a letter to the editor for the Standard Examiner--a lot of people read those, and that could help you feel like you are reaching out with your gratitude. I know I always feel better getting things off my chest--happy or sad--and that may help! Again, I'm so glad for you--OHS Rocks!

Happy in Holland said...

You could also write a letter to be read to the student body at OHS. Hmmmm......what else.

tiptoe mama said...

That is so great! I can understand your feelings. It's been exactly a year since the ELKS were so kind to help us by paying for MK's wheelchair, and then some. A truly humbling experience that has changed who I am and how I look at the world. I never understood charity before.
I'm so truly happy for you. And if you ever do find a way to adequately express your gratitude -- let me know!!! I'm still trying! :)

Liz said...

That's wonderful, your family is well deserving of a night like that! A lot of things come to my realization too when someone does something that makes all the difference in my world, big or small.
You never feel you can thank them enough, but what you can do is pay it forward and help others along the way too.