My Heart Overflows

I have so much to be thankful for in my life, but after a harrowing weekend where I ached and worried for my dad, while learning more than I ever wanted to know about things like lactic acidosis, renal failure, sepsis and dehydration (to name just a few!), I will rest easy tonight because he is happy, healthy, and he is home.

But wait.. it gets even better than that!

Tonight, while I was resting, my sweet Abby brought me something that made my heart spill over with love, admiration, and pure Mama pride! She brought home a copy of an email that was sent to one of her teachers from the parents of a girl that Abby befriended at school. Abby is a mentor to new students and kids who struggle finding a place to fit in. I've always known that Abby was exceptionally kind, but to read such praise for my daughter, coming from someone I will likely never meet, I couldn't hold back the tears.  I asked Abby for a copy of the email so I could share it here.

This is the email, unedited or changed in any way:

Mrs dickson,
Thank you so much for talking to Abby for us. She has really helped joy come out of her shell. As a 7th grader you think I;m Quiet and no one is like me or likes me. Joy was overwalm 2 monthes before 6th ended about going to jr high. she had a hard time. she was so excited to have abby as a friend and looked forward to her notes. she would come home and tell us all about it. It was like christmas everday for joy. she could ask abby questions she would not us. when this stuff started on the bus I was a little worried about her, But as I talked to joy about this she was tring to find someone to talk to about this. I suggested her friends she really didn;t want to talk to them I said why don't you ask mrs hughes if you can write abby. Her face kind of lite up. like ya abby doesn't look down on me I'm her friend and she will help me. 
Thank you so much for letting Abby help us. You know there are some kids that think they are ok and tough enough to handle things on their own, but some just need a little help and a little friendship on their way. I don't know how to thank you and Abby enough for the things you have done for joy. I wish there were more Abby out there for kids today. 

Now picture the tears streaming down my face as my heart swells with love for my girl. I am so grateful to have such wonderful daughters in my life. Each one of them make me want to be a better person! I'm certain that they will continue to share their Love, Strength and Happiness throughout their lives and I hope they will always remember the impact they have on others.

Wow. What a weekend! Dad is home and on the road to a full recovery. I hate to think of how close we came to losing him, so instead I will only think of how grateful I am for my family and for the love that fills my home each and every day.

I couldn't ask for more.

A Letter to Aunt Dottie

Dottie, forgive me for not writing more often. I received your beautiful card and we passed it around as we read and re-read it many times. I wonder if you know how much you are loved by our family! We think about you every day and hope you are doing well. Mom updates us on your phone calls frequently, and we constantly wish we could be back in Massachusetts with you!

Work is going well. I still have my nose to the grindstone and I have very little time to myself these days... but the crazy studying is done for now and I passed all of my tests with a 98% average. (Truthfully, it should have been a 100%, but I seem to freeze up and make silly mistakes on tests!) I can see a long future with this company and for that I'm so grateful.

The girls are all doing fantastic, as usual. They manage to go to school, work and get their family play time in as well. I'm such a lucky mom to be surrounded by such great girls! Hubby is his usual silly self.. he keeps us laughing and manages to frustrate us all at the same time. But we couldn't do without him! (and he loves the attention he gets from all his girls!)

We love you, beautiful lady! I hope I can sneak away to see you again sometime this year... maybe on one of Mom's trips out there. I miss you dearly!