I could have danced all night
Hello, everyone!!!
There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe how wonderful our homecoming weekend has been. Our friends, our family, our community...what an amazing outpouring of love for our family. We are so grateful and humbled by all we have experienced - and Sahara loved every minute of it!
Saturday night was the "Love2Sahara" benefit at the Elks lodge. WOW! From the moment we arrived, we knew it was going to be a great night. We were met in the parking lot by the Southeast Lady Redhawks basketball team! Sahara's mouth just fell open when she saw them and Coach BJ and Coach Pace waiting for her. They are the most phenomenal group of people, and we cannot wait for the season to start!! Thanks for coming to share this night with us!
The parking lot was jammed with cars; I knew the place was going to be packed. When we walked in, it took my breath away. The decorations, the food, the people...it was absolutely beautiful! Sahara was in for a long night, and she was more than ready to see all of her friends and everyone who came out to support her.
Eternal gratitude to Alison Morningstar, Bill and Angie Tegel, St. Francis Hospital, O'Charley's, the Elks, my coworkers from Southeast Missouri State, ALL of the donors of the fantastic auction items...you just wouldn't believe the amount of things we had up for bids. We had TONS of food - thank you Tom and Julia! You all put on one heck of a party and we had so much fun! Sahara really did dance all night, finally tiring out about 11:30. She had the greatest time! Thanks to EVERYONE who attended, worked so hard to make it happen, bid on the items, and shared the night with us. We will never forget you all.
I really thought Gramma Dooley was going to bid 'til the end for that Rick Springfield signed guitar...LOL...she really had a gleam in her eye!!! If you haven't met Frances Dooley, then you are missing out, because she is one of the most energetic, driven, spiritually-powered women I've ever met. Can you believe it...she's sold 2000 bracelets, and with her winnings from the 50/50 drawing, she's ordering more! How in the world did we get so blessed as to have people like this come into our lives????? WOW!!!
Somehow we were on time for church this morning...that was tough! LOL. Sahara received a standing ovation from the congregation (hey, I rhymed), and was grinning from ear to ear. We have such a great and faithful church family, and we are so lucky to have each and every member praying for Sahara's recovery.
This afternoon was the "Hope for Hoops" benefit at Capaha Park. Let me tell you, it was TOUGH finding a parking place! It was a perfect fall day...nice and cool, and I really enjoyed the clouds. It was great sweatshirt weather, and a super day to be at the park. The bands were fantastic! If you're in our area, be sure to check them out...The Mike Renick Band went on first, then The Intention. Both of them rocked the place. Sahara and all of her friends (tons of them!) ran onto the stage when The Intention played "Jessie's Girl." It was priceless. The turnout was unbelievable! We even made the local tv news tonight!
A million thanks to the wonderwomen who were in charge of today's festivities: Jennifer Hecht and Tracy Haggerty. I have no idea how they pulled this off. Both of them area teachers, with kids, working full time and raising their families, and somehow (just like the folks involved with Saturday night's benefit) they accomplished huge things. Special thanks to everyone who sold concessions and t-shirts, who volunteered and helped in any way, to Tina and Emily Hagan for selling the wildly popular items from their business, Little Helpers, to the bands, to everyone who came out to share it with us!
We live in the greatest community - I am so proud to be a resident of Cape. Our people, our teachers, our schools, our churches, our businesses...all have been so supportive of our family since our journey began in July. I want each and every person to know how much we appreciate the time and effort spent on our behalf. It truly helps to know that we have the prayers of literally thousands of people going up each day. And anyone who saw Sahara this weekend can attest to the fact that those prayers are WORKING! Thank you for giving us the best "welcome home" that a family could ever receive.
WE LOVE YOU!
Amy, Shannon and Sahara :)