Worth.It.All

This Smile was worth it.

Every single second.

It was an emotional day for me.

Ab and I stood and bossed Blair, my dad, my mom and sister around as we put together this tree we had literally poured our hearts and pockets into.

I didn't want to leave.

I looked around at the pictures of babies who had not survived and I just lost it.

Why was I so lucky?

Why do I get this boy who brings vision and purpose and hope to my day to day business?

I do not know all the answers, but I do know how tremendously grateful I am.

So much so that I overstate it too often.

But, man...I am grateful beyond comprehension.

Ab and I walked hand in hand out of the convention center after spending a solid 8 or so hours decorating yesterday evening.

I turned to her and said through tears, "Ab...I cannot tell you how proud of you I am.  Without you I wouldn't have done this. Not for one second.  Because of you I get to feel this feeling and experience today.  The fact that you wanted to do this for your brother is amazing, and I love you.  I hope it is everything you hoped for when you decided to do this tree."

There were no rolling of eyes, or wisecracks...she just looked into my eyes, genuinely smiled and shook her head "Yes."

It was perfect.

From the beginning, I knew that if Ab and I were going to do this project...we were going to do it.

I think we did our boy justice.

Ab very meticulously placed the items from the story around the display. She had a vision as to how the intricate details of the story was to be brought to "life" and she scored big time.  We're talking details down to the old lady (bunny) in the rocking chair's crochet needles and the spoon in the bowl of mush. 

It is perfect.

 I cannot begin to express the thanks I feel from my heart and undoubtedly owe to my friends and family who helped and participated.  We had close to $1600 worth of books donated; close to 350.  It was unbelievable. 

I had friends and family spend their precious time envisioning and creating and aiding a very time-challenged and craft-less little old me.  Your time spent doing something to help my little family will be forever remembered.  You literally saved me.

We had monetary donations given all the way from Ab's friends and their piggy banks...to very generous corporations and families.  I had no idea of the costs doing a tree like this would entail, and I promise, every single penny helped.  Blair and I put everything we had to give into it, and would not for one second would've been able to do all that we did without you.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

We love you, and hope you love the final product as much as we do.