I believe in hand-written thank you cards. Call me old school but I think it is good etiquette and just the nice thing to do when someone gives you a gift or does something nice. Plus, getting snail mail is fun and stands out from the mass amounts of email that people receive these days.
Having said that though, it has been impossible to keep up with the thank you notes between the chaos of our challenges over the last 3 months and also because of the outpouring of support we have received. I did my "Thankful Thursday" post but we have even more people to thank since then!
My parents. You have been my rock since the day I came into this world. I don't even have the words to describe what it has meant to have you by my side through by far the most traumatic time of my life. Mom, I might be in my thirties now but I don't think I'll ever outgrow needing you especially when times get tough. You are always there, even when it's 5 am and I'm alone at Children's Hospital, 100% overwhelmed and send you an SOS text. Dad, watching you be a grandpa warms my heart.
My brother, sister-in-law and your amazing kids. You are all always my comic relief even during some dark times. Brent, having you in the waiting room during Megatron's surgery was a wonderful distraction. Dropping everything...including work, to make sure Megatron and I got back down to the hospital when The Pilot was away meant the world to me. Lia, he was only able to do those things because you were juggling not only the kids but also another crisis an hour away. Despite your dad being in the hospital, you somehow still managed to be there for us too. And my sweet niece and nephew. Boy I love you two crazy kids. The cards you made for Megatron cheered us all up and your hugs always make me feel better.
My in-laws. You've made the 2-hour drive to town multiple times at the drop of a hat to help us out. You've helped us keep information flowing to the extended family. Beth, you even whipped out a diagram of the liver when a radiologist was trying to explain a procedure and draw a little picture at the top of a consent form. Always prepared! Plus, your homemade cookies also go a long ways when it comes to comforting the soul! Steve, seeing Megatron smile at you is probably the cutest thing ever.
Lisa. What haven't you done? You have kept not just me and The Pilot fed with your amazing food but you've also jumped in to make sure our cats haven't missed a meal either! You even bought more cat food while we were stuck in the hospital unexpectedly! You coordinated a Meal Train to help other people take care of us. You were there when I got bad news about Megatron's post-op lab work and stepped in and told me what to do when my brain was completely scrambled. You held my sweet boy and even changed his diaper while I ran to pick up medications for him. I will never be able to thank you enough!
Kelly, Meg, Ann, Mary, Jenni, Kami, Marcia, Julie Sarah and Jim. You kept us fed with homemade meals, pizza delivery, grocery gift cards, hospital care bags and gift cards to use in the hospital cafeteria. You also kept the kind words coming which helped more than you will ever know.
Lindsay, Ann, Parker, Mike, Caryl, Cara, Derek, Melissa and Lisa for just showing up at the hospital. Smiling faces made the hospital seem a lot less like a prison!
Melissa. Marathoning brought us together. Your humor, foul mouth, realistic attitude and calm demeanor made you a shoe-in to be Megatron's pediatrician. You have acted as "translator" when I have had selective hearing when all the specialist called me using lots of big, scary words. You showed up at the hospital late at night to explain the PICU. You've answered every frantic call and text. You've answered every random call and text even though I told you I wouldn't be "that parent." You even called every CVS in a 15-mile radius when we couldn't find formula. You begged the GI specialist to take on Megatron despite her full case-load just because she was the "GI goddess" you knew Megatron needed. We also have to thank your husband (and his "jinglers") and your children for their patience because I know we have pulled you away from them more than once.
Katy, Megan and everyone at the pediatric office. Thank you for realizing you aren't just taking care of the patients but the parents too. You are amazing at what you do. Katy, not only do you take wonderful care of Megatron, but you also inspire me too. Next stop, 1/2 marathon training baby! ;) I WILL get back out there.
Julie, Lindsay, Lauren, Jessie and Lezlie. The best girlfriends I could have ever asked for. You stepped up with encouragement, humor, baby clothes out the wazoo, baby gear, a breast pump that ended up being a life-saver when my preemie baby wouldn't latch, an "edible arrangement" and a storybook that made me tear up and will surely become one of Megatron's favorites (it's already mine!). I love you all as if you were sisters.
Steve, Sharon, Matt, Patty, Penny, Don, Rick, Sharon, Ron and Dorie for the various support. Because of you, our house didn't fall apart and Megatron's bum was always diapered (despite us being unprepared to use disposable diapers for so long!)and clothed. Some of you were even on standby for when my parents weren't available. I am so thankful to have grown up with such amazing role models. I always have and always will consider you all my "extra parents."
My co-workers. Love, support, prayers, GIANT cards and flowers were coming fast and furious from all over Central Ohio. Your continued support is going to help me navigate the world of being a working mom so thank you in advance for that!
Robyn, Sue, Jennifer, Amy and Ann for helping me put things, post-Megatron's diagnosis, into perspective and for providing encouragement. We have to be tough mama bears to shoulder the stress when it comes to our extra special babies.
Marcy, Mandi, Rosemary and Shelly. You may not even realize how much a Vera Bradly bag, cute little newborn cloth diapers, a "rainforest" and a product recommendation have made our lives just a little easier.
Everyone on social media who have sent encouragement, prayers and lots and lots of "mojo." There have been a lot of hard days but reading (and re-reading) your comments has helped me remember that tomorrow is always a fresh start.
I know in my sleep-deprived, emotionally raw state, I have forgotten someone. If I have, I am deeply sorry. Trust me, your kindness didn't go unnoticed at the time.
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