Home for the Holidays, the greatest gift of all.
As we write to you this morning, our new beautiful house is still as the kids sleep in for the first time in ages. In a few hours though, the house will have familiar noise that still stings my eyes. Familiar is a comfort and these simple and vaguely familiar sounds haven’t been heard in years…
The most wonderful part of being here is hearing Emily bustle around in the distance, hearing the sisters talk and finding Emily in the house when I arrive home, not in her bedroom, but anywhere in the house! Yes, this is what our heart ached for; the simple things. Emily cooked dinner with friends on Sunday, she made a fabulous platter of treats for her teachers luncheon, she read a book on the couch and did her homework in the loft. As the snow melts around us, Emily photographs the changes in the landscape around us, but the magic is she does it all by herself, she can get everything she needs without asking for help. Simple to some, but monumental for us.
This holiday season holds for us, the true meaning of the spirit of the holidays, your kindness and generosity in our life changing experience of getting back a piece of our lives that was indeed lost – Emily’s freedom is regained. Words will never describe the true beauty of this.
We wish for all of you the most wonderful holiday break and a delightful 2014. Our lives are forever marked with our new relationships with you and our sincere and grateful thanks for joining us on our journey back home.
This little song called Rise, by the McClain Sisters, that Audrey has been practising was intended for a private unveiling for Brian, Ken and Martina to hear at our house before everyone had moved on to Christmas, but it didn’t pan out. She performed it here for you to all feel the power of what we have accomplished together. Our great thanks to our community, friends and perfect strangers that came to our aid to change the course of our life. Together we rise from a place that was hard and complicated to a home that allows freedom and new beginnings.
Much love to you all…and a special thanks to Brian Williams who has proven that when you “put your hand in mine“ together we will Rise and Together “we can do anything”.
May the blessings of the season, comfort you and your family, as they have ours.
Charmis, Grant, Emily and Audrey