Resolutions are temporary.. Gratitude is permanent

A year of tremendous challenges is no match for the power of gratitude. You plan your life a certain way and then life has a way of changing that plan. You focus on your priorities which for me is my family and providing a life that includes security, love and growth. Sometimes a series of events put a clog in that plan and you have a choice. A choice to buckle and retreat or to forge ahead and conquer life with passion and gratitude.

We know all too well that your health is by far the most important factor in all of your plans because without it you are immobilized to implement all that is ahead of you. When Aidan's health turned for the worse in the course of an overnight we forged ahead. We became engulfed in the now and like you've heard took one day at a time. In the course of those days we would juggle the immediate testing, assessment of the problem and steps to get us to the next day. All along having to maintain our other children’s needs which included the basic care, schooling, supervision, homework and emotional support.

All of this would not have been manageable let alone possible without the support of our family, friends and community. You think as you're plugging along in life to do the simple things you learned in kindergarten such as treat others the way you want to be treated, say please and thank you ( as often as you can) and give to others less fortunate at the time what ever their circumstances. You do these because it's what's right. We never imagined the response we would have received when this happened to us would be so tremendous. You know you are loved by those closest to you and you know people greet you with kindness but you just don't know until something like Aidan's illness to what extent and to what distance you've touched others enough for them to want to help you. Well if you're "fortunate" enough to ever have the opportunity you've be feeling the gratitude we feel today!

The immediate and full force of support was presented in many forms. Bodies of loved ones and friends starting showing up at the hospital. Food was arriving in droves. Cards, texts, emails, phone calls were never ending! Aidan's condition was critical for many days and the information was changing rapidly. My sister Carolyn started a blog which was the life line for many to stay abreast of the changes. It allowed us to filter the information and manage the bedside time. It was so appreciated by us and others that on numerous occasions people commented how informative and grateful they were to be able to know what was going on. So - thank you Carolyn!!!

My family held vigil and supported us by helping to care for our son Zack. They brought clothing to us, meals, basic necessities and even visited with Aidan while we spent time tending to Zack's care in and out of school. Thank you to everyone!! I had family come for a far to deliver blankets to snuggle, diet coke and chocolate to eat and drink and gifts for the kids as not to leave them out or make them feel forgotten as we focused on Aidan. Thank you to all of you! Thank you for the love, support and most importantly your time!

Our offices sent food, visited with true interest in situation and took up collections of money and gifts for the family! Their outreach was fabulous and extremely appreciated. They say in times of need you find out who your true friends are and boy we are blessed!! Thank you to all of you!

The community responded in droves as well. We received gift baskets from previous years Kindergarten classes, current school affiliations, T ball teams, current and prior teachers and classmates, the Randolph bus drivers, the High School support staff and Grounds crew, neighbors, camping friends, STRANGERS, and many many more! It was and is a blessing to have such support. The Morris County Chamber responded with an outreach of support that was never ending. To know you are loved, appreciated, well thought of - call it what you like- it's simply unbelievable that a community can come together and support one of their own! Thank you!

My cousin Jenny in the initial days of Aidan's hospitalization said she wanted to hold a benefit. That she was a member of an Elks Club in Sparta and this is what their focus is- children and their families in times of need. I said sure that’s fine but honestly I couldn't think about anything other than the here and now so I didn't put much thought into her suggestion. Well, she did and soon it was evolving- a date was set and people's generosity continued to flow. We received calls saying they would donate the food, the music, the photography, auction items, their time and their love! It was truly overwhelming at times. Just ask Jenny and my sister Carolyn who bear the brunt of the planning and organization. But it happened and on Nov 13th at the Sparta Elks Club much to our surprise we had over 225 shows up in support of Aidan and our family. We thought we'd have a good crowd but that was truly much more than we all expected. It was a fabulous night. The love in the room was infectious and you could help feel good about just being a part of the evening. Thank you to everyone who helped donated and participated! Thank you to the Elks Club and to Jenny Milway!!

So you see- as the New Year has arrived I wouldn't be wrong in saying in some ways I am glad 2010 is over. But if it were not for those experiences we wouldn't have the immense gratitude that we feel for what's ahead, for those in our lives, for our health and future!  Resolutions are usually temporary but gratitude for us is permanent. Thinking daily about what you have to be grateful for offers strength to forge on- to handle the things life throws at you. We are truly grateful! Thank you!!