fOoTpRiNtS...

     "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same. "

    I want to spend this entry bragging about some (it would be impossible to list ALL) of the people/things that left "footprints on our hearts"!

    There is no way I could ever begin to thank everyone for the big and small things they did the summer of the accident and over the past four years. I am very appreciative of all the love, support, and prayers that have been sent our way!

    I will be honest, during our ICU days, I started to keep track of the gift cards, treats, and nice things (including mowing our lawn) that people were doing for us but that became impossible as this journey turned into years. 

   

pRaYiNg FoR aArOn

Recently I was talking about Aaron, I know big surprise there, and I got on the subject of the ICU. Let me start this story by saying that I am fortunate to work for a small charter school in a small community. When Aaron's accident happened, news spread fast. I started getting many e-mails with prayers from complete strangers that only knew we worked with them. One particular email that I remember was from another elementary teacher at a nearby school that I had never met. She began by reassuring me that the hospital we were at was the best. She went onto share that her dad had been in the same ICU after his motorcycle accident just a few years earlier. She raved about how wonderful the staff were to her family and her dad. She continued to keep in touch, responding with more prayers and praise after each and every update while sharing their experiences in a positive way. Each email ended with "praying for Aaron" which I soon added to my emails because I loved it so much. Right before school starts each year, we have this breakfast and the whole charter staff comes. We were looking forward to finally meeting in person! We found each other, hugged and it dawned on me that throughout all of our emails I had never asked how her dad was doing now so I decided that is was finally time to ask. It wasn't until then that she shared that her dad had not made it. It touched me that knowing what she knew and experiencing what she had that she was such a blessing to us (complete strangers)...there are no words for how much I appreciated her positive attitude, support, and how she helped me to stay strong that summer. 

24/7

    I had a particular friend who wouldn't let me out of her sight at the beginning of all this mess. When she couldn't be there, she put another close friend of ours on "Renee duty"! There are times I found this rather annoying, I mean, I was perfectly capable of walking down the hall to the bathroom by myself but when given the chance she would not leave me to go home and sleep in her own bed...even if that meant another cold, long night on the small couches in the waiting rooms. Throughout that summer she missed her boyfriends birthday dinner, she babysat my in laws kids, took Aaron's family out to a Tiger's game for the 4th of July and helped plan a surprise visit from my childhood best friend. As we transitioned from the ICU to rehab, her boyfriend and her made special trips to see Aaron and then would take me to dinner afterwards. Then came my favorite...diner and drinks and drinks and drinks! Even to this day, I can depend on her for pretty much anything. I haven't known her forever but she has definitely earned a special place in our lives and I will be forever grateful that she stuck by me that summer and is still there for me now! 

tHe LiTtLe ThInGs

    From pens, notepads, and gum tucked inside my purse...tea from Panera....trips to Target...dinner at Olive Garden...pizza parties and picnics in the lobby...gas gift cards-when gas was more than $4...emails...co-workers...bible verses...random gift cards to restaurants...quote books...voicemail messages...sweet nurses...cards...random visits...flowers...strangers.... desserts stuck in my fridge when I got home...mowing my lawn...pedicures...family...good cafeteria...late night phone calls...food...sleepover friends...this list can go on and on and on!

    I am going to stop here...I know there is much more I can add to this particular blog so I will update it as more people and things come to mind because I haven't even touched on how truly blessed we are by everyones kindness!