Mail Day

My Ashley is still sleeping. She has only briefly been awake today so I slipped away from her room to go collect my mail at the apartment. I haven't done this in over 6 weeks. As I emptied out my box and collected my packages I though to myself how fun mail day was. Just reading the names on the envelopes gave me such joy. So many of you have become such dearly loved friends through this journal and your comments. There were many familiar names and a few new ones who must be reading silently along with our daily events. I just wanted to take a few moments to say thank you for each and every one of you who have taken the time to send a note, some encouragement, a gift, a prayer. You have all become such a source of strength for me while I am away from home.

On a couple of personal notes I wanted to tell Susan that I loved the pictures. The kids have grown and they are so BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for sharing them with us. It will be fun to show them to Ash when she wakes up today. I hope Eric will share his stories with us someday. He has touched me just knowing he thought of her. Suzanne, please tell Lauren how very much Ash loved the picture and necklace she sent. Your children are gorgeous and I enjoyed you sharing them with me. I also want to thank you for the gifts you sent to Ash. I love anything embroidered and they were so perfect for our princess. I love ya!

Their were so many surprises that had been collected in our mail box and I just wanted to say thanks to Erinn Ragan, Kim Jarvis, Karen Metzger, Barron and Cindy, and my sister Toni. I loved everything you took the time to send. Thank you so very much.

To my nieces Jessica and Bayly, I received your letters and your handwriting was BEAUTIFUL! I am so very proud of you both. Thank you for writing to us.

I pray that each one of you who come to Ashley's story to check on her and who pray for her know how much you mean to us. I appreciate all of the time you spend here. So many of you have made her a part of your families and I love to know that you have allowed your children to fall in love with our baby. I cherish knowing that your babies pray for mine. Thank you for opening up your hearts to love my Ashley.

We should have an answer tomorrow about where the team thinks we should go. I pray they are leaning toward our apartment instead of the transplant centers coop, but they have to clear it with the cancer team first. Just the thought of actually leaving the hospital is intimidating because of all the responsibility that it involves. Change is never easy, but it is progress. It is progress that must be made in order to bring Ash home someday. Even though I know that we will more than likely return to Omaha many, many times during Ashley's lifetime I think it is important to make that first move back home with her. It would be so encouraging to have her there with her Daddy, Blake, and Allison. All in His time, according to His plan that is my desire. Even if I seem anxious at times the important thing is that it is done according to His will for our Ashley. Thank you for praying about this for us. I love you guys. Trish