Ongoing Gratitude

Happy 2 weeks of recovery for Sam. He is doing so so well. Far exceeding our expectations of what we had prepared to work through. Sam is spending half days at school this week and has handled it really well. His most persistent symptom of recovery is fatigue and tiredness so we must remember to still take things slow! His stamina grows a bit every day.

I just can't state our gratitude enough times -- the surgery was a success and his recovery has gone so smoothly. We are back into planning phases for our Nov visit to CO Children's to begin the medical trial and even wondering if we'll get to meet more of the therapy dog staff! (There are 8 furry friends to meet!)

As I reflect (yup, more gratitude) and look ahead with support I realize I haven't yet followed up with our INCREDIBLE afternoon at the Denver zoo and need to document! A good friend based in CO has been a sr director of comms at the Denver zoo for many years and quickly organized a whole afternoon of experiences for us. Most exciting was meeting our 3,000 pound new friend, Rudy the black Rhino. We got to meet Rudy with his animal care specialist, Gracie. We learned so much about how incredible this species is and to our amazement we were able to pet him. What a wildly cool experience. Rudy is 32 years old was just such a gentleman. Gracie was so passionate and informative about Rudy and the plight of the rhino in our modern world. We all learned so much. After hanging with Rudy, we also got a behind the scenes tour of the zoo hospital which includes a full lab, zambulence (ambulance but for the zoo... obviously) bay and large animal CT machine! Ms. Stephanie shared so much knowledge about the animals care the the commitment of the zoo to the animals. Huge tip to anyone visiting the Denver zoo -- the hospital has open bays for viewing vet/animal activities and procedures so always check what may be happening that day!

I also want to be sure and record so many of the incredible ways our friends and community have poured into us. Truly unbelievable ways that we have been loved and continue to be supported. I could write a hundred thank you notes. Forgive me for instead shouting it out here and know I will forever be someone who pays it forward.

Sam's first grade class brought a level of kindness direct to Sam that is hard to put into words and brings tears to my eyes every time I consider it. There was a basket full of thoughtful and generous gifts, an entire book of handwritten letters from his classmates and the most amazing pillowcase to have for his hospital stay. For privacy I won't name names here but his teacher and several classroom parents just truly brought a sense of friendship and love to Sam with tangible things we had in Denver. He is so lucky to have his class this year. MANY many friends have continued to be just the best hype humans for Sam through his re-entry into the class! It's all a bit magical.

Without a doubt there's a handful of moms who have shown up so specifically for Ben as well. Let us never forget there was a whole team of CAKE CREATORS. The support of women who showed up to help my 4th grader feel seen, heard and celebrated for his submission into the cake contest the week of surgery is something extra special. My goodness the execution just couldn't have happened without you all. And the cake was epic and so so perfect for Ben. Thank you for making a little thing his big thing.

A card, a meal, a porch package, a hospital care bag an SOS beverage chat... just such incredible ways people near and (very) far have let us know we are in their thoughts and prayers. The meals have a way of providing normalcy that feels so unexpected. And when we are in this in-between with energy or returning to activity, but not overdoing it... or having a 'crash out' when we accidentally do... the variety of support has been a constant and such a grounding way to reset as a family.

Such tokens of loved shared with us the last month. Whoever you are and however you have supported us.... hugs and love.