Group hug!

Today I decided to write to Dr. Watts and ask him to donate. It was a difficult decision to make because I hold the man on a pedestal. He is only a notch or two from God status in my mind, and I felt like asking him would be presumptuous. The man had my son's heart in his hands, poured himself, for 6 weeks, into saving Nova's life. There are only a couple of people who I revere the way I do him. The man spends his entire life trying to change the lives of families dealing with CHD. To ask for money felt almost like blasphemy. Now I know it sounds a little insane when I put it that way, but that makes it no less true (for me.)

But as I sat there, holding Nova's body shortly after he died, Dr. Watts came and he put his arm on my shoulder and made me look him in the eye, and he said to me, "If there's anything I can do for you personally, I'd be honored to do it. Don't hesitate to ask." He repeated that sentiment the day of our consultation last month. And so, after much vacillation, much second guessing of myself, many copies of the letter written and trashed and rewritten, I finally wrote him, got it into an envelope, addressed it, and did it, before I lost my nerve again, because I'm cheap enough that once the stamp is on the envelope it must be mailed, lest I waste 39 cents. Seriously, I think that way.

I had taken a letter to CVRU the day I went and sat with Lisa while Daniel was in surgery. I hadn't heard a word from even one of them, and I was disappointed and discouraged by that. I talked to Mika the other night, and she's good friends with (and attends the same church as) one of the CVRU nurses, and her nurse friend told her that the CVRU nurses and staff have a team of their own. That's why I hadn't heard from them! That was a relief. So I went to the Kintera page and looked for their team. I don't know the name of their team, and had no luck finding it. But while I was searching, I found a list of teams participating in the Walk.

I want you people to understand how awesome you are. On that page there were at least 100 teams. I don't know if it's the top 100, or a complete listing or what, but while I was reading that list, I realized that, in addition to my name being #3 on the top fundraiser list, Team Nova is the #6 top team. Now listen... any team who was anywhere near ours was a company team that was sponsored by a company with a corporate fund-matching program. Team Nova is the only one without a company sponsor.

In other words, you guys have outdone most big business corporations when it comes to donations. There is only a $550.00 difference between us and the #1 team. I am so impressed with all of you and your mind-blowing generosity. Utterly humbled by it. I am so grateful to know each of you. Thank you all so much. I love you guys for reaching out to me, and for extending Nova's reach so far.

C'mon, group hug!