Two years ago today a family gave us an incredible, unimaginable gift. The gift of hope and life for Abbey. In their personal grief and tragedy they thought of someone other than themselves. In a moment none of us would ever want believe could happen, they donated their child's organs to others including Abbey. It gave us hope at a time which was clouded by numerous trips to the hospital and failing liver counts. Now we were given a shining star to follow and so began our journey to Omaha.

At Christmas time we are reminded of the ultimate gift, Christ born in a manger for us. We see his presence in every outpouring of compassion you have shown toward us throughout our journey with Abbey and now with the Abbey's Hope Charitable Foundation. So much of our personal experience has been out of "our" control. My oldest daughter, Grace & I were discussing this…it is probably why the Foundation means so much too us, it is something tangible we can do to help and feel we have some control on its destiny. I can STRONGLY encourage everyone of you to become a registered donor if you aren't already http://bahbad.org/home/and join the Abbey's Hope Team as well as a volunteer.

My words are just words but somehow, when you go out and physically do something, with your time or talents you can make a difference. Tomorrow I will fulfill my last promise to Abbey…I am donating my hair. It's really not that grand, but it's one more thing I can do. To give a child a wig…so they feel a bit better while they really feel crummy, to make there day a bit brighter.

Tonight, as we attended the usual Wednesday evening at church I was warmed to see so many families at service night, just trying to make everyone's Christmas a little better.
I could not let this day pass without the grandest thank you of all. "For God so loved the world He gave His one and only son" John 3:16. Someone lost a child for our child to have hope, for our family to have hope and tonight that child and that family is held up in our prayers.

Keep the Faith.
Katey