On the second day, I received a bunch of child nominations for 99 books in 33 days gift giving frenzy! I am so grateful and excited to share their special stories.
The first was a nomination by Marina who has been following Abby’s story told through her adoptive mom, Michelle. Abby has cancer and here is an excerpt from Michelle’s blog “Abby has been fighting cancer since she was 3 years old. With less than a year to go, she is on the home stretch. Jumping ship now when she has fought so hard would be like quitting the Super Bowl as the 4th quarter started. Ain't happ'nin. Now is not the time for quitters, not as parents, not even as a 5 year old.
We (Brent and Michelle) have talked many times about "when" we would stop all treatment. We aren't the "no expense is too great, no suffering too much just as long as she lives" types. We struggle knowing that we could let her simply go on to heaven where she would wait for us and play with Jesus for a while until we get there. But... we selfishly and naturally want to keep her here with us.” You can read more about Abby here http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/
The second book goes to Haley who was nominated by Jessica. “I would like to nominate Hayley. Hayley recently lost her mom to cancer. Before her mom died I showed her my daughter's Memoir of Me book and she was really excited about making one for Hayley --unfortunately time ran out before she wrote her letter for the book. In Leeann's honor, I would like to write a letter to Hayley from our family.
Dear Hayley,
You will always hold a special place in our hearts. You were one of Hannah's most special friends in preschool and she will never forget the way you offered her your friendship. In preschool Hannah never said one word out loud to you because her Selective Mutism hindered her from being able to talk. Despite that fact, you would sit together, coloring and doing art, side by side and without expectation. You never left her side to go play with others that did talk, you were content and had an unspoken language, the two of you.”
Lastly, here is my first unsolicited child nomination from a really special Dad to his son Will. His Dad worked with him to swim for the first time and here is Will’s story:
Will’s got "mad skills" and sledding in the snow, always wants to help shovel when I'm snow blowing, loves to play baseball, football, and soccer with me (his dad) in our basement and is the best 3-year-old tackler I've ever seen! Though we limit his "screen-time", somehow he's managed to learn how to play his games on my iphone, even though I put a password on my phone!
Please send all your love and prayers to Abby and Hayley. Look for more stories tomorrow! Love, Michelle ps here is a pic of Abby.
