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.