I have been working hard to keep record of the people I want to thank. To be clear, I do believe that these people who have poured into us in the last two months are not doing so for thanks or recognition, but to bless and help and aid us in one of the most surreal, daunting, upside down times of our lives. But my gratefulness and appreciation is abounding and I feel like it has nowhere to go! Its a little overwhelming, to be honest.
So far, we literally have 100 financial donations online, plus countless gifts of cash, cheques, and gift cards galore. You do not understand how crazy that is. Or how much you have saved our butts with Brady living at the hospital for two full months. So, if I were to send out thankyous, that would be a confident 150 cards right there.
Then there is food. We were fed every single supper in February, and three days a week in March. Many people have brought a supper, plus something else to freeze, or a big dessert, or something for the kids lunches, etc. Even with meals brought every other day, I have made a meal once or twice at the very most. And my freezer is FULL of premade meals, baking, meat, and every food gift you can imagine. On top of the scheduled meals, I am regularly offered fresh baking, a pail of soup, etc. We have NOT gone without. These gifts have saved me from cooking, have given me the opportunity to actually rest in that half hour before supper. They’ve saved both hassle and money. I will never forget someone casually bringing a pan of cinnamon buns over with an envelope filled with 20s on top. Its such a crazy time of life. If I had to guess how many people have fed us in one way or another, I’d say AT LEAST 75 people. Minimum.
Then there’s the kids. People have not forgotten about our kids, and it shows!! They have not gone without in any of this, having been blessed with gifts of books, craft supplies, games, and treats. They’ve even been on some special outings with a couple of people in our circle, so they have felt solidly special and loved. Every weekend, they ALL go off together, and get some good attention and a change of scenery, and I can breathe while our friends take on the task of five active children for an entire day!
There is no possible way to remember everything that has happened in order to show us support. Our house is cleaned regularly. Our laundry is done weekly. Other moms have taken my parent helper slots at the preschool. People have driven my kids to school. Their bikes are set up, oiled and filled, for the season. The garage is tidier because of others helping me move heavy things and hauling away donations. Blogs have been written for me. Groceries have been paid for and brought over often. Flowers were sent. Parking was paid for. Gas was paid for. People come at the drop of a hat to help me with mundane jobs. People going out of their way to make our life easier, over and over and over again.
And here I am, beating myself up for not doing ANY of these things myself!!! But then, at the end of the day, I am dead exhausted, without having accomplished ANY basic house tasks, and I see the deep obvious need for help. So I accept it, gratefully, and humbly. All of this is completely unreal. Never have I seen anything like this, nor did I ever expect such a thing.
On top of ALL of these needs being met, with love and willingness, we are being prayed for in a completely overwhelming way. I know we don’t all believe the same things, and I cannot make anyone believe anything. But consider that Brady healing and progressing the way he is is NOT a thing of this world. Him defying odds and defying science is because his strength is found in Christ alone!!! No other explanation will suffice. We know this to be true, and I hope you see it for yourself. The prayers of our church, our friends, our family far and wide, certain Facebook prayer groups, and many many people we don’t even know. That has been one of the craziest things – to see people come out of the woodwork and reach out, without little to no knowledge of us at all, to help us carry the load. To bear the burden of others. It is so strange to be on this side of the fence, but it would far more devastating to be completely alone. I imagine the number of people who I would thank for praying for us would be astronomical. I can’t even fathom. I can’t even ballpark.
We could not do what we’re doing without every single one of you. We are not entitled to an ounce of help, yet here we are, surviving fairly smoothly, never going without anything we truly need.
For you, friends, and for this support, I praise the Lord.