Eighty Three. That is how many thank you notes we've written to people who have blessed us on this journey to Michael. That's eighty three acknowledgements in the past four months. In all honesty, it should have been more if we're including the people who have been praying, asking how we're doing, or answering our questions over the past 50 months!
We were (are) so blessed - old friends from high school wanted to help - there is a chance they may never meet the little boy they helped, but loving us and giving us a push on our journey was more important to them and that means more to us than we can express. People from our church gave to us, former co-workers helped out in incredibly generous ways, giving much of themselves. Friends have given toys and clothes. Literally the only clothing we've had to buy is socks. Michael has enough clothes to last him until at least kindergarten by our rough estimates :) Our family has been right there for us this whole way - even the far away family that had to send their love through the mail - their written words are cherished. Far away friends gave up an entire weekend to come celebrate with us and share in the joy - (loud) late night hang outs and lots of food made for the perfect weekend! (Also, as a side note, Marc finally believes that I'm
not the loudest out of all of my Tuscarora friends. He hasn't believed me for years.)
I was a little grumbly while I was writing the thank you notes (I know, what an awesome attitude to have, right?). My hand hurt. I was complaining about what a burden it was that people liked us and were so generous to us. Why couldn't people not like us so I didn't have to spend time writing these notes?!
But you know what? Once I started writing out to each person what their generosity had meant to us, how it had impacted our growing family, my attitude started to change. My heart became full, then it started to overflow with love and gratitude toward our people, our community, our village, those who are on this journey with us, no matter how big or small their role has been or will be.
My hand was still dead at the end, but it didn't seem so bad anymore :) Marc and I long ago established that my handwriting is nicer so I handle the card writing duties in the family. He was a total champ though and brought us to the finish line by signing his name, putting cards in envelopes, sealing, stamping, and addressing each one.
This post can hardly sum up our hearts for you. Know you are loved, know we're so, so, so thankful you're on this journey with us, we want you to be part of it - even if life is crazy and we can't or don't express that in words often enough.
