Home - One again...plus 3

It is hard to express the emotions as we headed to Bay Cliff to pick up Donovan.  I had spent the week before away from Bridget, Carl and Emma.  Emma was at a camp the same week so only Bridget, Carl and Buster were home.  They met Ricky, Elliot and Emmit at Kendra's Fathers hunting lodge in the UP (our now second home) as Kendra volunteered to drive the Johnson boys there so they could be part of the Donovan capture.

We met at the Thunder Bay Inn after Bridget picked up Emma at Camp.  It was good seeing everyone pile out of the Suburban as we met to coordinate our pickup.  Everyone was excited to be together, and to share in this experience.  I was very at peace after a wonderful drive the night before and cool experience with the staff the the Inn.  Reality quickly kicked in as Emma and Carl started bickering and Buster (on a new dog food diet) made a significant deposit on the lawn I had to pick up with a plastic garbage bag.  Gives a whole new meaning to the the question paper or plastic....

With no garbage can in site, I put the "Buster Gift" in the trunk of the car and we headed to Bay Cliff.  As we drove through check in and we got our number 69, we found out later that people were lining up at 6am so they could be first in when they opened the doors at 10am.  Hence the large number even though we arrived at 10:30.

We got ourselves organized and walked through the gates with much anticipation and very squirrely  kids.  When we arrived at the welcome center, we learned that they called your number and you went through a check out process.  Once complete, they announced the campers name to "come on down" to meet the parents.  Well... we arrived to number 17 being called but were assured it was moving fast... Ahh right...

Patiently waiting....

The waiting area...

Bridget and the kids immediately went to the pile of "bay cliff clothing" for sale and picked out a few things, including some Packer T-shirts on sale (The UP is Packer Country).  Then they noticed that they were showing pictures of the summers events on the movie screen.  There was Donovan, in the Big Bay 4th of July Parade, in his wagon, with his hand on his chin, looking bored.....  Still a great pick of him being patient and waiting for the excitement...

Number 23 and 24........

Sooo the kids went from watching pictures to going out and playing on the basketball court to just wondering around.  Then Emma came back excited saying she say Donovan by his cabin and he looked good!  It was cool seeing her so excited and needing to tell us.

Number 43 and 44...

The anticipation grew!

I asked Ricky to go let Buster out of the car so he got a break and give Ricky something to do....

Now Ricky is Donovan's best friend.  I can't say enough how wonderful this 16 year old young man is with our son.  Forever patient, forever willing to do what ever Donovan wants (he played 4 hours of Monopoly today with Donovan) and always putting Donovan's needs first.  He carried him Piggy Back Style at Pictured Rocks, when the walk and climbing got to be too much for D.  All the Johnson boys are great with D, but Ricky is especially attentive and supportive.

At Pictured Rocks.. Best Buds...

Number 57 and 58......

Ahhhhh the wait........  Kids are getting anxious and bored... Hanging on Bridget and I.... Me to the kids... "Behave and go play on the basketball court.... quick picking on each other"  in the mean time, Carl is trying to be mister funny man and everyone is trying to be patient....

Number 61 and 62....

Seven weeks....Life has been crazy this summer... As I've mentioned before a summer of transition.  Donovan gone for 7 weeks, Emma gone two weeks at two summer camps, me gone to help out on the farm for three weeks, and Bridget home with one or two kids (and a dog) alone sooo much, holding down the fort.  All this time away from everyone made me think of John Adams.

Ok, I'm a history buff and love the book about how John Adams was the key person in founding our country.  I thought of this often as he spent years away from his wife and kids, working to get our country off the ground after we declared our independence.  At one time he was raising money for our country to fight the British, and spent 9 years in France and Holland, while his wife took care of their farm and raised the kids.  He had a strong wife who made it happen, much the way Bridget attends to all the details of our kids and Donovan's medical, education and emotional needs.

Number 65 and 66

God, our kids are lucky to have such a wonderful and relentless Mom.  Donovan wouldn't even be at Bay Cliff if it weren't for super hero, "Research Queen" Mom Bridget.  When she wants something done, she makes it happen, and NO ONE will deny her.... If they know what's good for them... :)

In the Physical Therapy Gym

Number 68......

Ok... Paper work.. Check.... Check book.... Check... Kids assigned a spot outside to be ready to meet Donovan...check....

Number 69....

Bridget and I walk into the office and finalize the paperwork.  There is Karen, who is the assistant director, big smile on her face and giving us wonderful words of how well Donovan did and can they have him again next summer!  Bridget and both indicate "we'll see" and try to hurry through the process and the next thing you know we hear, "Donovan Lassig, come see your family" over the loud speakers, as we walk outside...........

I could attempt to write everything I felt for the next few moments as we saw Donovan from afar, getting up and using his crutches to walk to us, the screaming boy ahead of Donovan, who yelled, "Mommy I missed you so much" as his Mom ran to him crying and grabbing him....

Me trying to stay composed and try to tell but here are a few pics that tell the story until I can figure out how to get the video I took uploaded so you can see for yourself....   Impossible to describe what it is like to see you child of  9 years after 7 weeks....

Here he comes!!!

Mom's hug!!

 

Already telling stories!

 After the reunion it was time to visit Donovan's therapists...

Christy was Donovan's PT and the person Bridget talked to when she first made that fateful call two years ago to learn about Bay Cliff.  Can't say enough about this young lady who spent so much time with us answering all our questions and concerns and comforting us that Bay Cliff would take great care of our Donovan and he would have a great time.  Her manerisms and patience with all our questions about how he did, what we needed to do to keep his progress going (ok, Bridget's questions,,,, I just listened and asked an occasional question..) was amazing.

We were once again reminded we made the right decision and that the staff of Bay Cliff were a God Send....

Donovan Showing us how he can walk without his crutches and Christy coaching him through it!

 Our next visit was with Miss Kim, his speech path.  Again, all the time we wanted she spent with us telling us of all the adventures and progress Donovan made.  Her telling us how Donovan continued the "Spanish Speaking game" of who would speak English first.  The person who spoke English first would loose.  If Donovan won, he got candy for his camp counselor, Miss Laura, and if he lost, he had to give hugs to everyone at camp.

Teaching us a camp song...

 We then went to lunch in "The Big House" of kid friendly food!

Hotdogs!

Once we were done with lunch we got through the final medical check and we were on our way to the final check out and gathering his stuff from his cabin.  Everyone chipped in to carry all his stuff to the truck.  His cabin counsilor and Miss Emmy were our final goodbys.... They repeated the request for Donovan to come back next year and how much they really enjoyed having Donovan in their charge.  These two young ladies were very sweet and kind.  Miss Emmy was very patient and great at talking with Bridget (especially the first week or two) to reassure us Donovan was doing well.

Miss Emmy on the left and D's Cabin Counsilor on the right. My bad I can'

t remember her name.

 
It is late and I have lot's more to say but I'm pooped.  The following are a few picks I want to share and you can read into them your self.  We will continue this blog as I'm sure Bridget will want to share...

Carl gets his hug.....

We are tremendously blessed and lucky to have such a strong and happy child in Donovan.  I'm not sure it comes through in the video, but I could tell he worked very hard not to cry as he was hugged first by Emma and then the rest of the kids.  It was very touching and humbling to see how much love and support his brother, sister and cousins gave him in those short moments before life moved on.  How Carl reached for Bridget to give her a comforting hug as she teared up after giving Donovan a hug and Donovan gave me my hug after seven weeks.

My first hug after 7 weeks... See Carl in the background comforting Bridget.....

God graced us with many supportive and loving family and friends that carried us through this current chapter of the journey and will continue to be our anchor in the storm of life.  But as the old saying goes, life is about leaving port and setting sail for the horizon, not being safe and letting the boat sitting idle in the tide at the mooring...  Thank you again to all of you.........

Waiting for Christy in the PT gym...

Cousins......

Chatting on the way to the speech cabin...

Before Camp..Ready for the challenge

After Camp.. a little wiser and a little more grown up...

T-Minus 2 hours and counting.....

Well I'm staying at the Thunder Bay Inn, in a room right out to the 50's.  Very cool place with a great staff.  The owner wouldn't stay up late enough to check me in so she left me a note to tell me my room number, with a old time key in the door, and asked me to lock up after I arrived.

 

My note from Gretchen the Proprietor!

The Inn has a history as does Big Bay...  The Jimmy Stewart movie, "The Anatomy of a Murder" was filmed here in the UP.  It is based on the book by a Michigan Judge, who wrote about the only murder in Big Bay's history, that occurred at the Lumber Jack Tavern, which is down the street from the Inn.  www.thunderbayinn.net   The World Premier of the Movie was held in Marquette, and through those efforts, Bay Cliff raised the $10,000 that kept it in business.

Funny how a Murder led to the saving of Bay Cliff, through a movie by Jimmy Stewart....

One hour and 45 minutes until I get a patented Donovan morning hug I haven't had in 7 weeks!!!

36 and counting...

As Bridget put it, 36 hours until our hug.  We got a post card from Donovan telling us about his camping and fishing and how he wants to go camping with us.  Can't wait to see his eyes and reaction when he sees his welcome home party of the Johnson cousins!  Not to mention Bridget's hard work to plan out a week of full time fun!

T minus 3 days and counting....

Doesn't seem possible but I was telling the "Donovan 2013 Story" tonight and we are so close to seeing him in sooooo long.  Can't express how much pride I have in him....  I want to capture pictures and yet just want to enjoy the moment of reuniting with him and watching the events fold as our family is one again.....

Less than a week to go!

All reports from the north land of Bay Cliff is that Donovan is doing very well.  We are making final preparations to get our boy home with all the pomp and circumstance as possible.  Bridget had a long talk with two of D's counselors, and we are very excited with the progress he is making and that he is having fun.

We received a postcard and a couple of letters from D telling us great news of adventures and fun.  Sleeping under the stars, frog hunts, fishing expeditions, jumping into the pool, by himself, for the first time! etc...

It will be a challenging week as I'm heading back to Wisconsin to help my parents on Tuesday and I will meet up with Bridget and Carl in Marquette on Friday or Saturday, as we collect Emma from a Youth Camp in Munising and Donovan from Bay Cliff. 

Another crazy week in a summer of them.  Only this one has a wonderful happy home coming! 

Can't wait to hear Donovan yell down the stairs,,,, MMMMOOOOOMMMMMMM........DDDDAAAAADDDDD!!

Donovan Letter #6 - "2"

The significance is mild.....  Two kids I'm trying to get up (Bridget is at the Farmers Market), 2 dogs running around my feet (we are taking care of Victor, our neighbors dog), Dos rounds of The Open are left to enjoy with my coffee this weekend (love getting up and having golf with my coffee), and

TWO WEEKS UNTIL WE PICK UP DONOVAN!!!

What do you suppose he is saying?

Oh and two weeks to figure out our schedule to get up there, get back and determine how we celebrate his home coming!  We still have the yellow smiley face balloons floating around our house from when he came home from MaryFreeBed (MFB), as is the big poster of him we used for a fund raiser for The Equest Center.  Can you believe he started riding horses at 18 months old and now he is 9 years old....

Lots to do.......... Emma is going to a camp in the UP for a week so the last week of July we will be down to Carl in the house, and he has football camp that week so he'll be gone half the days that week.  House to get in order, gardens going crazy, a another trip to the farm next week, start planning on stuff for the fall, soccer practices for Carl, Emma is joining her middle school "Crew" team (rowing)..... Getting Donovan ready to go back to school and catch up on reading, writing, math, etc....

We got a post card from Donovan last week telling us he is having fun and making progress.  His counselor wrote that they went fishing, frog hunting, and biking.... The picture above is from the Bay Cliff Facebook page.  When they raise their hands everyone is suppose to settle down.  Bridget figures D is scolding someone to be quiet... I concur based on his facial expression! 

Donovan is changing so much at this age.  I was showing my dad pictures of Donovan from when we visited them in December and when he came home from MFB.  The change is significant.  Most of it is due to his braces and the impact it had on his face, but he is also growing up, both physically and emotionally.  Guess you notice it more with your last born.

With Carl and Emma, you noticed but we also had Donovan to fall back on having a little guy, so the impact wasn't as great.  I'm curious, excited and a little nervous to see the 7 week change.  Not only the growing up part, but mainly the progress in his therapy.  This was a lot to put him and our family through (although you'd never know it by talking to Carl and Emma), and we have to manage our expectations......

D's doctor, Dr. Forness (wonderful doc and person), said it will take a full year to recover, so even though we say great progress, much improvement in his walk and gait before he left, we want to be sure we don't expect too much from camp.

That's the final "Too"......... Maybe more significant than I thought...

Donovan Letters #5....

Traveling. 

I haven't been home much since dropping you off and it just adds to the "weirdness" of this summer.  I've been away more than at home.  Mom received another card from you with a little more description of you activities for the week.  You talked of frog hunting (slimy frogs), swimming and going on the deep end, the 4th of July parade, playing with your friends, all under the context of having fun!

Can't wait to see you.  23 days, 5 hours, 51 minutes and 30 seconds, 29, 28, 27.....

This will always be known for me as the "Transition Summer".  Someday I'll tell you why it is that, but I have to process it all a little more before I can talk about it in a single blog post.  I'm just glad you are having fun, learning, working hard, and enjoying mom's care packages with your friends.

Nana and Papa ask how you are doing all the time.  I've been spending time with them this summer to help out with the farm and around the house.  This is the last summer Papa is going to make hay and grow oats.  Transitions....

Did I tell you I miss you.....

Dad.....

Donovan Letter #4....

It's Tuesday, July 2nd and I'm in my chair thinking of D as Carl and Emma play on the tramp, Buster is jumping around them barking and Bridget is walking around her gardens, seeing how they grow.  No cockle shells required...

We got another post card from Donovan with funny stuff, a phone call from Erin, a phone call from the Bay Cliff staff and several other interactions reassuring us D is doing well.  God continues to provide us with little signs of reassurance that He, and all our family who have joined him, are watching over Donovan with great care.

When I got off the ferry in Ludington last Friday night to start the last leg of my journey home, a rainbow formed over the highway as I entered the ramp to get on it.  Sunday, at church, Bridget was praying for Donovan after receiving communion, and a clown (dressed up in full rainbow color attire) walked down the aisle next to us to receive communion too! (The church was celebrating their summer festival)  Emma, Corinne and Aunt Julie Kaboolie saw lots of rainbows on the PALM ride during the week.

All the reassurance in the world doesn't change how odd I feel, or how much Bridget misses our D.  A friend of mine called today to ask we are doing.  I said we are fine, etc. etc. but it is the most unsettling summer I can recall.  I just feel weird.

A large part of it is Donovan being gone (almost three weeks now), my dad announcing this is the last year he will make hay and oats on the farm (we are leasing out the remainder next year), the maturing of Carl and Emma, as they have stepped it up since Donovan left, and the realization that none of our kids are little any more.

Of course it could be too that I watched two Adam Sandler movies with my kids and they are getting most of the humor now.  Happy Gilmor and Grownups.  Just doesn't seem right!

Oh well.....  Life transitions ....

Johnny's First Run .... On his own...

We have been friends with the Agar's since Bridget met Becki, Johnny's mom, as we learned about CP when Donovan was a baby.  Johnny is 19, has CP and his Dad started doing 5k, 10k, Marathons and finally triathalons, with Johnny by towing, pushing or pulling, depending on the event.

This last Friday, their church, St. Patrick's, had their summer festival which included a 5k race.  For the first time Johnny completed a race on his own by using his walker, for the last mile.

Here is a link to the story our local TV Station did.

Johnny's Incredible Run and Finish

Everyone should have Johnny's spirit and determination!

First Picture from BC!

Finally a picture of Donovan!  He looks happy and older, even though we are guessing this picture was taken the first or second day of camp!

Honor Cabin

Postcards from Donovan! #1

Well I arrived home from my travels to the farm, got the mail and low and behold a postcard from Donovan!  Made my night (Bridget's too as I took this photo and emailed it to her.  She spent the last night with Julie celebrating her birthday and the completion of PALM 2013.

We received a magazine from Bay Cliff telling the Story of the "Big House" and how the camp was formed and survived.  This is their 80th year in business.

The Big House is the original farm house that a farmer built on the cliffs overlooking Big Bay.  It was named as it was a big house and people referred to is that way and the nick name stuck.  The house has grown and been renovated several times but the original foundation, made from the sandstone from the cliffs nearby, survives as it reaches 100 years old.  The house is 18,000 square feet with big porches and the original field stone fire place!

Bay Cliff camp almost shut down in 1958 due to being $10,000 in debt.  Elba Morse (one of the founders) convinced the executive committee to stick it out one more year trusting "God would provide".  The next year the movie The Anatomy of a Murder, was filmed in Marquette and Big Bay.  A member of the executive committee, Willard Cohodas, arranged for the wold premier to be shown in Marquette and Ishpeming.  The were awarded a check for $10,000 and Bay Cliff was safe.  Today their annual budget is $1,080,000 which is still raised from individuals, foundations and businesses.  86% of the funds raised is used to serve the kids (i.e. 14% covers administration).

The 1934 budget was $4,781.17.  :)

Donovan Letters No 3………….. 6/20/2013….

I didn’t think of Donovan today, for a total of 6 times, over a course of 6 hours, for about 6 minutes intervals.  Otherwise he is always there….

It is Sunday night and I’m at Carl’s Godfather’s home in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  The frozen tundra was very hot today and we had a wonderful sail on the Bay.  John, (aka the godfather) is the man responsible for getting me into sailing and it was the perfect day for sailing his 16 foot catamaran.  He has two of them, so John and I were on one cat and his two sons (Paul and Thomas) where on the other with their friend. 

The sun was warm, the air was humid, the water warm, and the wind was perfect for flying a hull.  Luckily we didn’t hear the immortal words from John’s lips, that is an indicator we are about to capsize or pitch pole.  It was a day the doctor ordered and I needed. 

I thought of Emma on her first day of the PALM Ride and the fact they were going to bike 45 miles today in this heat.  Unlike Donovan, I could call her and text her and get instant knowledge and reassurance she is having fun and enjoying the ride.  The tone in her voice confirmed she is fine.  Hope her Aunt Julie is ok, as she had a rib pop out (from a previous injury) the day before a ride.  I’ve had a cracked rib.  Very painful…  Good luck Julie Kaboolie….!!

Here is the route they are taking for their ride!

PALM Lake Michigan to Lake Erie!

I thought of Bridget and how she was doing with just her, Carl and Buster hanging out at the house.  As I suspected, she spent the day working in her gardens as this was perfect weather (for B) to be sweating it out, getting the gardens in order after a spring of neglect.  Unfortunately for Carl, being the only other able body at home, he was recruited to help out. 

My mom and dad were on my mind a lot today as they both have medical procedures being performed the next couple of days.  Mom makes hers out to be nothing and Dad’s isn’t major either.  I’m heading there tomorrow to help out.  The reality of it is Mom’s is more than nothing but planned for and Dad’s, like others in recent history, as is the case with my dad, popped up at the last minute.  He doesn’t like going to the doctor.

It has been an interesting year in our family.  Many, many trips to doctors, hospitals, emergency rooms,,, etc.  Lot’s going on. My sister Julie finished her degree and got her license so she is now a practicing Nurse Practitioner.  Craig was fighting no power at his house as Minneapolis had some storms go through and a tree crashed on their baby sitters car as she was watching my nephew Sean.  Nieces getting married (Megan) and searching for colleges (Evy).

Three trips to Face Book today, ok more than six, to see if they have posted any pictures of our boy. NOPE!  Very Frustrating, disappointing and just plain sad…. 

Well, just have to take a trip there again in the morning…..

So Very Grateful!!

It's been over a week since we dropped Donovan off at Bay Cliff.  I cannot wait to see him, hear his stories, see his progress, hug him!

We've spoken with camp staff a few times and hear he is doing great, working hard and making friends.  We're anxiously awaiting photos to be posted on Bay Cliff on Facebook.  They are very careful about what is publicly shared since they are a health camp.

As we wait and keep faith that Donovan is having an amazing and positive experience, I want to take a minute to thank the organizations that have been a part of this journey.

Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital-  Wow, how to express it...Dr Forness and your team; we will be forever grateful for the incredible work you have done to give Donovan an amazing new gait!  We only expected enough changes to help him increase efficiency as he walks and avoid future hip issues.  What we quickly saw though as he began to walk again was a beautiful new gait!  He's got a long way to go towards full strength and changing those old habits but we are so excited for the potential!
 
Thank you to the whole team at the hospital, Donovan's nurses, the aides, administration for driving excellence in health care and comfort!  All of you played a role in making this most difficult part of the journey as comfortable as possible and free of post op complications.  Your care was compassionate, exceptional, gave us confidence in Donovan's recovery and prepared us for the next steps.

Mary Free Bed... What an amazing team you are!  Your expertise in therapy and rehabilitation gave Donovan the absolute best start at this next phase.  Through moments of discomfort, resistance and frustration, you pushed and supported Donovan to do the hard work, to keep him progressing and not allow plateaus in progress to win.  You taught us (again!) to trust that Donovan can do more, should do more, and can be as active and enjoy just about anything in life that he chooses to!  Dr. Rush, we so appreciate your tenacity to solve problems and your advocacy to keep the intensive therapies when our insurance company resisted.  Some of you were new to us, some of you got to work with Donovan during his last stay.  We are forever grateful for all of your care!


I also have to say a very heartfelt word of appreciation to all of you that shared a parallel journey at Mary Free Bed.  I can't express enough how humbled we were that you shared your personal stories, how blessed we felt for the moments of support and the moments when our support was needed.  The stories and strength within the many families can't be easily explained but please know you remain in our thoughts, our prayers, and we hope to stay in touch.



Family Hope Foundation... a fairly young but very effective foundation started to facilitate information sharing and support to families with special needs children.  The FHF has done an amazing job of being a conduit of what's happening, what resources are available, links to the many great providers throughout West Michigan, and providing scholarships to families for therapies not covered by insurance... 61 scholarships were distributed this round!.  We will forever be grateful for the scholarship we have received to help towards Donovan's stay at Bay Cliff.  The average cost for a camper at Bay Cliff's Summer Therapy Camp is $5,000.  The camp itself offsets some of this through it's own fundraising but it was still an expensive proposition for us, particularly in this year of many costs associated with the surgery, the hospital stays, the eating away from home and the traveling between home and the hospital.  This grant allows Donovan to take the next step in this long journey of intensive therapies.  It is helping him to re-energize in a new and exciting setting, where he is making new friends facing similar challenges and celebrations, and with a staff that brings expertise, enthusiasm and compassion.  This is giving him the best shot at stabilizing the gains the surgery brought, strengthening his spirit and independence, and giving him a peer group to grow with that face challenges just as his but won't be defined by them. be defined by them.

Emma and Carl... Wow, you have risen to the occasion!  I don't know how we have been so blessed but we have!  You both have done an amazing job of growing up fast, of working together and with Dad and me to be responsible, to support Donovan, and to take care of yourselves during this time.  We are so proud of you and grateful for you!

Donovan Letters #2

Dear Donovan,

Well I’m on my way back from San Francisco and enjoying a very quiet moment in the Minneapolis Airport at 5am.  I arrived on the Red Eye flight at 3am and of course, my arrival gate was at the complete opposite end of the airport.  Oh well, I had time to kill and the walk felt good after sitting for 4 hours on the flight home.  Coffee!! 

None to be found…. The only workers in the airports are cleaning and maintenance crews…. Well, will just have to wait until something opens.

Mom talked to Miss Emmy (I think that is her name) and she said you are doing well.  Enjoying the games at therapy, eating better (due to the medication that sometimes affects your appetite) and having lots of fun with your cabin mates!  All good news and reassuring that you are adjusting and making the most of it like you always do, when challenged!

Of course Mom would feel better if they would post some pictures on their Face Book page so you could see your face.  They can’t send us pictures directly for fear of breaking the HIPAA rules (funny, think anyone will know what that is when (if) you read this in 20 years)! 

I just checked out Bay Cliff’s face book page and no new photo’s.

………………………….. later that day………..Clark Kent is washing out his S suit……… :)

Well after a good nap and some good food and a good shower, I felt halfway human.  Mom is running around getting Emma ready for the PALM ride, getting Carl from Basketball Camp and I’m writing you and having a pop.  It’s a beautiful day here but too hot for me.    

Mom loves this weather.  The hotter the better for her.

Miss you….

Donovan Letters.... #1

Dear Donovan,

I’m sitting in my hotel room in San Francisco thinking of you… like I have every minute of every waking moment since I last saw you in the rear view mirror.  You stood there with tears in your eyes, standing tall, and not wanting, but willing, to stay at camp.  The pride I felt in you at that moment has never been higher.  My confidence in you, when I saw those rainbows on the way home, never stronger.  God has blessed us with your strength, determination, charm and joy for life.

Yes you are determined, stubborn, relentless, strong, and challenging!  All qualities that will get you where you want to go and enrich the lives around you.  I’m proud of you as well as, Carl and Emma.  

Since you have departed (ok were abandoned) we’ve seen little steps and big steps from your best friends (who are your siblings) that are quite amazing and yet not.  They have taken strides of their own during this journey that reassures me you three will (along with your great group of cousins) continue our family’s great tradition of sticking together, supporting one another and always having a good time, no matter the road blocks that need to be overcome.

Sharing in both good and challenging times, always willing to come running at a drop of a hat when necessary for family or friend. 

Watching the three of you on the way to camp laugh, giggle and goof around is always a joy.  Seeing you fishing with the Johnson boys, and how Ricky, Emit and Elliot always take care of you, creating special events for you, and yet treat you like just another one of the gang is just simply incredible and yet not. 

It is just our family.  What it is supposed to be, what we are blessed with, what your grandmothers, grandfathers, great uncles and aunts gave us, your parents and aunts and uncles…. Strong families, traditions, strengths, and determination and skills to overcome our own weaknesses and mistakes.  Yeh, we’ve made a few, like you will someday.  But what your generation of our families, are learning now from your strength to overcome the fear of being away from camp, is the knowledge to address your fears and have the confidence to learn from it and thrive.

Can't stand and fish... Ricky gets him a chair... Donovan lands the biggest fish of the day!

  Or as your grandpa Don would say… “pull up your socks, wipe your nose, and keep going”  Not sure that is an exact quote, but you get the jest…. Just another mistake of your dad that your mom or one of your aunts or uncles will correct me on later…..