This is an email I received from my Aunt Jayne Jessop--Just thought it was a wonderful way to view 2005 from a different (and better) point of view:
Hi Everyone,
I know it has been quite a while since you have heard from me. I guess the old adage, no news is good-ish news (changed it a bit to suit my life), comes into play. News and progress for Sam has been real good. His in-house therapy staff has a meeting once a month with the family and they told Maur and Jim, at the most recent meeting, that Sam is progressing at double to triple speed of any of the other patients they have worked with. He is, has and always will be a phenomenal young man. He is able to stand and balance unassisted, even with his eyes closed. (Shouldn't be able to do that according to medical experts. Come on, this is Sam. When are they going to learn?) Speech and swallowing continue to improve with the help of muscle stimulation therapy. My husband, Tony, continues to improve since his recent heart attack. He is still on disability, in rehab and will find out Monday just how much heart muscle recovery there has been. The year 2005 will go down as a memorable one in our family, but not for the reasons you might think. The year 2005 was the year of miracles for us. Some may say it was the year of tragedy, but not me. Don't get me wrong, it was a very hard year, but miracles aren't easy. Sam and Tone are still here, against all odds and all earthly predictions. A brand new life began in my new great-nephew, Alexander and two more are in the process to be born early in 2006. No, 2005 was not tragic, it was magic. The Lord's wonderful, miraculous magic right before our eyes. And you all played a part in much of it. Our requests were answered and your prayers were heard and therein is the beginning of the miracle. I know we have all been touched by the events of this year. Just believe me when I say, the miracles continue and in such amazing, mind boggling, life altering ways. All I can say is thank you to our Lord and thank you to our prayer chain. What a team. How could we lose? Please continue to remember Sam in your prayers, and, if you have a few extra minutes, I know my husband Tony (and I) would appreciate a prayer or two for his recovery also. What a needy bunch we are, hey? Know that we pray for all of you, in thanks and in blessings for you and your families. May your holiday season be happy and healthy. Hug your family lots and let them know you love them. I know I won't miss an opportunity to do that. Miracles do happen and sometimes they happen twice in one year to one family. Here are our miracle men. Take a good look at them and know you played a part in their still being with us this Christmas. Thank you and may God Bless you always.
Sam and Tony, our miracles. We believe!! (October 2005)
Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you,
With love and undying gratitude,
Jayne and, of course, the entire Sam Fam