Maintenance Day 18: Thank you, Grazie, Gracias, Danke, Merci, Dankjewel…

No matter how many languages and how many times we say it will never be enough. Eight little letters need to convey so much but seem so inadequate.

To our wonderful friends, Christi McElroy, Keri Ann Kelsey, Olivia Heiman and Megan Andrews – you are the greatest! Christi, you have been so supportive and positive as long as I have known you. I remember calling you when we found out we were pregnant with twins. I was crying and laughing at the same time. You told me “don’t worry! We will get through it!” And I knew that I would because I could just call you. You took an idea and ran with it. Literally. All day long. Your hard work is so greatly appreciated! Keri Ann, you are the strongest and most positive person I know! You have so many contacts and so many friends because you bring everyone up, even when you may be feeling down. You worked so hard even when it was hard for you. You ladies are our drive to do something wonderful!

To all of the people who came to Scarlett’s benefit or who donated so generously from home – thank you! We appreciate every moment that you shared with us. Every dollar that you spent. Every drop of blood that you gave. It was so nice to see so many people and to thank them in person. I began crying Friday night, held it together during the day and lost it again last night. The outpouring of love is so overwhelming that I’m not sure I will ever be able to process it. As soon as I get some pictures put together, I will post them for everyone to see.

From the very beginning, we have asked ourselves what we wanted to get out of this situation. We have to learn something and to grow and move beyond ourselves. We always felt that everyone has a “thing” in their lives that is a challenge. We thought it was infertility. Then we thought it was multiples. But now we know.

We know that we were meant to have something positive come through the pain. Like a flower growing after a wildfire, we are at the point of regrowth. We are trying to find a legacy for our children. Whether it is to help other children suffering from cancer or to help siblings or to help parents or to donate to research, we have a desire to do something. Now we have a place to start.