Friday, June 15, 2007

Update for Friday June 15, 2007



Hello Everyone,

Thank you for being patient as our updates come less frequently. Thank you for caring. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you seems never to be an adequate word, but, as we have said before, there really are no words to describe what we feel in our hearts.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you who have donated to our personal fund on this site. It has helped us quite a bit with many extra expenses we are dealing with now. It has also helped us in getting our foundation up and running, and in other ways more than many of you will know. Thank you to the wonderful Moms from Eddie’s preschool class who just blow me away with their thoughtfulness and support. Miss Teece from the Nature Center—what can I say to you? You are selfless. Thank you for the love you have for our children. Your help and support can not be measured. People line up to register for your class and there is no wonder why. You are an amazing and caring person. To the Cutter Family—From the Dalmatians and beyond—thank you for always praying for us and supporting us. To April-I don’t know where you came from, but you have eased our burden. We love you. To all the schools, students and their families who have followed our story and created beautiful gifts of love from it. All of you have been such positive support for us and your hope and prayers for the best have lifted us and helped us to stay strong and upbeat and to keep believing! Thank you.



Update on Maria--
One of the most difficult things about our situation is not knowing where we are headed. Many people I see ask me how Maria is doing. I find it difficult to answer this question as each day is different. I think to myself that is how God tells us to appreciate today and not to always look ahead. The phrase “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” comes to mind often for me. God gently reminds us each day that He is at the wheel. Hand it all over to Him.

Maria’s Paschal Pal in eighth grade was chosen to crown Mary at St. Raphael’s May Crowning. Therefore Maria also went up with her. She was very excited about it. She held three sunflowers to give to Mary. It was such a special and beautiful ceremony. Something in my heart felt that Mary was smiling down on Maria. I know she is loved in heaven. Somehow, without really knowing it, Maria has radiated a little bit of that heaven to all of us.

The first graders just celebrated Jesus Day. The parents were invited to attend a prayer service the students put on in the Church. Afterward, we shared a picnic lunch outside. The students had a banner put together with all of the things they had learned that year. My eye kept being drawn to the center of the banner where there was a picture of a heart that seemed to be radiating outward. Underneath it was the word “hope”. By chance I happened to mention to Maria’s teacher after the picnic lunch that I really liked the banner, especially the heart in the center with the word “hope” underneath it. Mrs. Kascak told me that was funny because Maria made that heart. I’ve never seen Maria make a heart like that, but I thought how appropriate it was because, to me, she is like that heart in the center radiating God’s love to everyone around her.

Memorial Day was a great day for us. Ed and I noted how Maria’s spirits were wonderful. She was joking around and happy. She said she wanted to go swimming. So off we went as a family to go swimming and eat dinner together. We had such a wonderful time. It was a beautiful day.

Two days later Maria started to take a difficult turn. She was in school and seemed to be doing well on Tuesday. It came suddenly. She started experiencing intense headaches.

This is very much a test of faith. Words are not enough anymore. You have to live it. I asked Jesus, “Where are you? You are silent. We need You. Help us.” It occurred to me when I looked at Maria’s suffering face and how she was quietly accepting the pain without complaint that I had found Him. There He was. He was in her eyes.

Father Tim came over Thursday evening to give Maria the Sacrament of the Sick (as he has done for us in the past). I knew she was in quite a bit of pain but she managed to sit up and give Father a couple of smiles. It was hard not to. Father was like a breath of fresh air. He was upbeat, happy and positive. It felt good to all of us. We were so tired. Maria really loves Father Tim so it was a nice visit.

The next morning Maria woke up and asked to go downstairs to eat. Since then she has recovered a little more each day. It is an emotional roller coaster ride, but that is ok. I praise God for her recovery. “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it”. Only God knows what will come of tomorrow. Again He gently reminded me to appreciate the here and now. I’ll keep trying. I know He is walking with us.

I ask that all of you remain positive. Pray for Maria’s symptoms to ease and for her strength to build. Please join us in thanking God for all of the blessings and graces that He has shared with us through an unassuming and special little girl.

Thank you God for today. Please send us an even better tomorrow.

Thank you all for your continued prayers for Maria.

Love,
Ed and Megan
P.S.
I just love this photo so much I had to post it again. We also wanted to include this Song of Love for Maria for all of you to enjoy. We get the biggest kick out of it.

01 Track 1 - Twango

26 comments:

Unknown said...

I <3 you guys so much. Thanks for the update. Hugs to you all, we're not only pulling for Maria but for all of you as well. <3<3<3

Anonymous said...

Ed and Megan,

You do not know me, but I have followed Maria's story for months. I belong to St. Albert the Great in N. Royalton, and I pray for Maria every single day. Your faith is an inspiration. May God continue to bless you all. Please, God, bring Maria's miracle to this family!!

Anonymous said...

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
(Psalm 145:18-19)

I continue to pray the Lord can hear all of us who call on Him to save Maria. I know He does and is busy with all the prayers. It is up to us to listen and follow. I do believe He shines through Maria. How many of us have ever been so blessed to be that close to a piece heaven?

We love Maria.
We love her family.

Do not be afraid. Believe; only believe. She will be well.
Luke 8:50

Love,
Betsy & Family

P.S.
We loved Maria's Song of Love

Anonymous said...

I love the Song of Love for Maria - it is so much fun and I am sure it brings joy to all of you!!

I am going to play it a lot because I can just see little Maria singing it and dancing!

Thanks for sharing! We are praying for all of you!!!

Anonymous said...

May God continue to reveal HIs presence to you during this struggle. We are praying for you!
The Collins family (Avon Lake)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting Maria's update. I know I'm not alone when I tell you we are praying daily for Maria and your family...post or no post. We drive by SRS and my children always ask about the child their age they've never met. Such sincere questions and prayers come from their innocence. I like to think it's the prayers of other children who work through God to give Maria her strength and acceptance during the times of struggle and it's the prayers of us adults, who love to question and doubt despite our faith, that build up your strength even during the most challenging and questioning times. Just knowing you don't walk alone, even when it feels so lonely, will get you from one day to the next.

Prayers from the Fenton Family

Anonymous said...

There was a reason that heart on that banner stood out, that was GOD's way of telling everyone that could see that heart of hope, that she is still very full of HOPE herself.....God Bless all of you. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

We continue to pray for Maria. We love her song. I pray that Maria's symptoms will be less and for the better tomorrows. What a great little girl she is. Enjoy the summer.

Anne & Jack

Anonymous said...

I am glad you posted. I always wonder how Maria is doing. I hope she continues to strengthen. You seem to be a very strong family. That is helpful.
Hoping for a miracle,
Gina Williams (Brooke's mom)
www.caringbridge.org/visit/brooke1

Anonymous said...

Hi McNamaras
It breaks my heart that Maria has to go through all this. Just not fair. Your words about seeing Jesus in Maria's eyes really touched me. The Lord is present in our lives everyday. He will comfort Maria. I think of the poem "Footprints" and believe during the struggles of our lives God carries us. He is carrying you now - feel it.

You are right - Miss Teece is an amazing person. She touches every child she meets. We are so lucky to know her.

We continue to pray for Maria and your family.
Blessing and Peace,
The Van Euwens

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing with us how Maria is doing. I think of her often. I hope she is feeling better today. Maria and your family are always in my prayers. Please give Maria a big hug for me.

With Hope & Love,
Christine
mother of an angel named Alicia
www.caringbridge.org/visit/angelaliciamartin

Anonymous said...

Dear Family of Maria:

I attended your fundraiser you held last year it was then that I first felt I knew who Maria was. The strength that both your family and Maria show is unbelievable. When I find myself complaining in my day to day life I stop and think of Maria. I used to nanny for a family who is very close friends with Father Tim. He is a wonderful individual and brings joy to everyone he speaks to. Please know that you and your family continue to be in my prayers.

Meredith
Lakewood, OH

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Ed and Megan, for sharing the difficult update on our friend Maria. We wonder how she is all the time. She is still the number one "favor I now ask..." Our Lady on the rosary. Maria, we loved the part you read on Jesus Day and loved seeing you with all of your friends. You are the littlest Joan of Arc; the most courageous little girl we have ever met and you will be rewarded a hundred fold for this suffering to bring us all closer to Christ. "Oh, Clement, Oh Loving, Oh Sweet Virgin Mary" take our prayers for Maria straight to your Son!

with love, David and Marilyn, Frank & Anthony, Hope and Kate

Anonymous said...

I will pray for Maria to be healed a little bit more each day until she is completely healed. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers every day. Don't worry about updating, you just take care of Maria, what a special family you all are.

God Bless.

Rich McGowan (Angel Matthew's Dad)

Anonymous said...

God bless you all during this terrible time. Your faith is amazing and such an inspiration to me. I pray for all of you and especially for your little Maria. Sophie's great Aunt Lynne

Anonymous said...

We think of you and pray for all of you every day. Thank you for sharing with us.

Love always,

The Londino Family

Anonymous said...

Hi- I have been thinking about you all lately. My prayers are with you! I am trying to learn to be content in every situation--- thank you for being examples of that to me. Sending my love, Justis

Anonymous said...

Maria's story is such an inspiration. I think of her and Sophie often and hope for full recovery. Your family is truly amazing for what you are going through, and for all of the work and research you're doing to fight this horrible monster. We will continue to pray everyday for Maria and Sophie.

Hoping for that miracle,
Emily and Geoff Stover

Anonymous said...

Ed, Megan and family-

You are never far from our thoughts and prayers. We love you!

Chris and Laura Lawlor

Anonymous said...

We continue to pray for you everyday. Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you. Hang in there.

Anne & Jack

Anonymous said...

Maria..
You are a very strong girl fightin for your own. Please know that you and your family is in everyones prayers and god is on your side. Keep fighting girl! You've got this<333

Molly Owens
Mentor OH

Anonymous said...

Always thinking and praying for all of you.

All our Love, Rosaleen

Anonymous said...

Dear McNamara Family,
We will be thinking of you next week when we run for the AMAZING foundation you have started.
We'll continue to pray that God will grant Maria her miracle and give all of you continue strength and faith till that time. Stay strong, try to stay focused and don't walk down that dark path...never lose HOPE!

We still believe!
John, Jackie, Jack and Murphy

Anonymous said...

I pray for you every night and hope for the best. I still check to see the updates reguarly.
Best of Luck,
Nina Koester
(Rye, New York)

Anonymous said...

We are so honored to contribute to your amazing foundation. We'll be out for the run, it's the least we can do! You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
The HSI sales team

Anonymous said...

We love you all so much.

Rosaleen