If you personally know Jeff; if you personally know me, you know that we are independent and strong-willed; at times even stubborn. We both have managed to provide for ourselves throughout our adult lives and never made it a point to ask for much, if anything at all. Knowing that we could not in good conscience "ask" for help, this blog was created as a gift from caring friends wishing to provide an avenue for prayers, communication, and gifts of kindness to help us stay by Madeleine's side throughout her treatment of this life-threatening disease.
We have been overwhelmed, humbled, and literally brought to tears and prayers of gratitude by the generosity and kindness extended to us by friends, family and complete strangers. After so many years of remaining steadfastly independent, it has been a true testament of modesty to accept these gifts; because without them, we could be broken: broken in spirit and focus for Madeleine's needs. I believe with all my faith that our daughter is surviving this disease because of all the prayers near and far, and because we her parents are here, every moment of every day to show her love, support and comfort. When she doesn't understand what is happening to her, she understands her parents are here to hold her and love her.
It is with a very heavy heart that I acknowledge that some people would seek to destroy that grace, to utter words that would imply we are exploiting our circumstances or taking for granted what people have done for us. Because this burden is so great, we have friends who have offered to assist us with extending thanks on our behalf; not because we don't wish it ourselves - simply because there aren't enough hours in the day or emotional capacity at times to personally thank every single person. PLEASE, if you follow our story and have uttered a single prayer or contributed a single dime to help us - WE TRULY TRULY THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS. We will forever be indebted to you for your caring, generosity and kindness that we will forever seek to repay - because that is who we are. I personally have been taught that by not accepting a gift from someone who wants to offer that gift from the kindness of their heart that you in turn are robbing that person of a blessing, of those feelings of doing something nice for someone else. I believe that thoughtfulness and kindness are qualities and I wish to teach my daughters that giving is the right thing to do. At the expense of some people's sensitivity, I will not quit providing this blog. I humbly thank every person who reads this, prays for us, sends us a kind word or gift, or wishes us well and will personally do so even if it takes me years to reach everyone. Because I cannot allow negativity to penetrate the faith and strength that we have built; IT IS NOT FOR US - IT IS ALL FOR MADELEINE. I know that Jeff or I could never forgive ourselves if we did not do everything possible to try to save Madeleine, and right now that means not leaving her side - to go to work, to do fundraisers, to do anything. At this moment, she needs us here. If/when this changes, we will be the first to admit it and to hurry back to our employment/income responsibilities. In the meantime, we truly thank each and every person for everything. God be with you, God bless you, and I thank God for touching you by Madeleine's story.
Don't go to work! Stay with her. You're such a good mom.... I don't know what I would do in your position :'(
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said....shame on whoever made you feel that way!! Some people are so selfish that everything has to be about them. You have never been that way, you have always been there for me.... Even if was just to lend an ear so I could vent. You understand what it means to be a best friend and because of that quality you have people that love and care about you and will do anything to make you day a little brighter. Your daughters will grow up to be beautiful, smart and strong willed because they have you as a role model. I have never met Jeff, but I to know if you chose him to be the father of your children he must be great. You wouldn't settle for anything less.
ReplyDeleteYou and Jeff are doing what you need to do, follow your heart and don't listen to those who don't know or understand, you are both good parents and you know in your heart what is best for you children. We continue to pray for all of you.
ReplyDeleteJesus encourages us to ask... and it shall be given. I just did a study on this whole issue and what I found is that over & over & over our Lord admonishes people to give to the poor, the needy, the widows, the orphans, the stranger. He admonishes those who have wealth to give, to give, and to give some more. I also found that the Lord NEVER admonishes or rebukes the poor for asking. So go ahead and ASK... I will keep praying that God will supply ALL your needs according to His riches in glory - either through the body of Christ or through other miraculous means - may our Lord Jesus Christ who is rich in GRACE, MERCY & PEACE give you ALL you need, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and yes, financially. Much love to you!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is I invite any one of them to come and put themselves in your place with their own child and see how they do. Or maybe they can watch all the sleepless nights and days because Madeleine isn't feeling well because she has a cancerous brain tumor. Or maybe they can try and comfort her when she is in so much pain she just cries, screams and thrashes around because she has had brain surgery a few time or chemo. Or maybe they can sit and hold her while she vomits all over them because she is sick from all the medicine that is being fed to her to try and save her. Or maybe like clock work they can pump so Madeleine can have the best thing for her, her mommy's breast milk. Or sit and listen to the doctors tell you that the stats aren't good, maybe 10% Or maybe they can try and cram a whole month into 3 or 4 days when they can go home and be in their own house with their whole family and sleep in their bed instead of a chair. Or maybe they can comfort Madeleine's 2 year old sister who sees her sister is sick but doesn't understand why she can't be at home everyday with her mommy, daddy, sister and her things. Or maybe they can learn how to care for the lines in her chest that have to be flushed and cleaned daily. Or maybe the hundreds of other things that have to be done when your child is in the hospital fighting for her life and you are living the nightmare everyday. Just my opinion as her Mimi who has witnessed such things.
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