In previous blogs I talked about some of the programs that are available to children with cancer or illness and the ones that Michellie was able to benefit from. I wanted to further this discussion for you. We want to acknowledge all of the care packages that continued to arrive across the months, the letters, the cards, the games, the poems, the healing tools, the DVD's, the pillowcases, the donations, the emails, the incredible healthy meals, the lodgings, the reaching out from strangers who are now friends, and the incredible love and support that everyone extended to us near and far. Some people apologized for not responding sooner, and we were glad they took longer. We were so overwhelmed at the beginning, and with MacKenzie visiting through to Christmas, we struggled as a family to really keep everything together just for the four of us. We appreciated the fact that everyone was careful not to call, but to keep up on the blog and to wait for us to call when we had energy and time. This was very crucial to us staying strong and focusing on recuperating and relaxing when we could.
We appreciated the fundraising that Dalbrae Academy did for us in the first few months. Despite the fact that much of the treatment was covered, the miles of travel, meals away from home, and the not working sure changed life for us. Dalbrae's kindness helped us to get our bearings and relax into the treatments and focus on Michellie.
Those who helped to support Jessica's fundraising for cancer was overwhelming. Jessica really only thought that she was capable of $200 and that is a lot of money for an 11 year old. Because of everyone's kindness to her project and to support Michellie, she is just shy of $1500. Outstanding!!!
For those who lost their locks for Michellie and to support Angel Hair for kids, there was plenty of hair sent their way to build new wigs. We are happy to report that Michellie has her eyelashes almost grown out again, her eyebrows are short but back, and there is a dark fuzz on top of her head. There is a lot of fuzz, so she looks like her thick hair will return with a vengeance - and she is not even concerned if it is straight or curly any more.
For those who supported and participated in Carpe Diem this year - Thank you!!! We hope to be in the hall with everyone next year to celebrate our own victory with the MacAuley's 8th year of victory! I hope to be able to share many of my new programs with the recipients of the Carpe Diem fundraising this year - Wellspring Calgary. They will forward a lot of love and care to others through your kindness.
Yesterday afternoon I got word that the song "Home" (arranged by Morgan MacAuley and her friends in the creation of a band,with the choreographic talents of Chelsie-Anne Harris to perform lyrical jazz with the band), which was performed at Carpe Diem was also at the Cochrane Talent Festival this past week. They received great accolades for their performance and will be performing it in the Finale concert on Friday the 15th. They dedicated their performance to Michellie. We feel so lucky to know that people are using their passion for music and dance to make a difference for others, and they are feeling free to express themselves through the arts. Thank you so much performers for taking on such an incredible project!
Lastly, many people have written to tell us how they have changed the way they are looking at their lives. I know that when we announced we were moving to Cape Breton and selling the studio, there were a lot of shocked people. We knew then that we needed something different to bring us closer together and that we needed to really begin living life, rather than passing through life. This experience did accomplish our goals (not exactly what we had in mind), but it has hit home for many people. Everyday is a gift - a precious, inspirational, action packed piece of time to cherish completely. We are thrilled that some people are eating less sugar (or no sugar), some people have changed jobs, some people have retired, some people have started calling their loved ones more often, some people have started exercising or doing more, some people are laughing out loud and rejoicing in their experiences. We are thrilled that you have taken the time to reflect and realize what you want from this time on the planet. We are also inspired by how everyone has reached out to us in love and friendship, more than when we lived close by. We believe that there really is no distance between us, only what we choose to put there.
On that note, please remember that we have 2 guest bedrooms and we love company. We also love staying in touch and keeping up with everyone else's lives. Please take the time each day to reach out and remember those you love and hold them tight. Thank you everyone for making this journey one that we can celebrate with and move forward with so much more than what we started with.
On a side note - we will update some photos tomorrow and give you a bit of a look at what life is like now for Michellie, sorry for the delay on these.
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