Dear Wonderful People,
I am going to type in the letters that we sent to the editor. Jim and I sent one and Sam did his own. He really did...picking away at the keys and trying the best he could to express his incredible thanks to all the people who have helped. Its hard to do. How do you express thanks to people who have given of their own heart...who have taken the time and energy and love to beseach God to help another poor human...one that they may not have even met. Oh, how do express the huge feeling of gratitude that you feel? Only know that we could not have done this alone.
In the back of the Sherrif's car I starting calling everyone I could think of to pray for Sam as they had said he could not survive. God has been in charge of this situation from the onset, even before I made the calls. Thank you from a very blessed mama. I love my boy so much and I will be ever grateful for your help in returning him to me.
In Sam's senior yearbook, we bought a page and put Sam's little kid picture with his big eyes and his bowlcut hair next to his manly senior picture. We added our thanks to him for what he was doing for our little Heather as far as the research into her disease. I found a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that we added,
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
I feel this also applies to you, that God cannot help but have seen your selflessness and will remember you in your time of need. God Bless you all and have a very joyous and blessed Christmas and Happy (and healthy) New Year. We will.
And now the newspaper letters:
Editor the News:
Since I left the office of State Representative in January, the lives of my family have dramatically changed.
On February 14, our son Sam was involved in a catastrophic accident that almost ended his very promising life. We wondered if the lives of my remaining family members would ever be the same, but we were determined to save him if there was any way possible to do it.
The first thing that we did was request that the community pray for our son, and the response was overwhelming. Through this past nine months, we have received the prayers and supoort of the entire community. We cannot begin to express our appreciation for everything that was done for us. The people who brought us meals to the hospital, the neighbor who watched our dogs for the many months we were gone, the high school student who cut our grass, the many people who contributed financial assistance, and of course, the prayers.
We are truly blessed, as the prayers that were offered have been answered, and our son has climbed many mountains in his recovery. He still has a long way to go, but with the continued prayers we believe that he can recover and begin to live his life in a manner that will make all proud that he is from Saginaw County.
Again, we are both forever in your debt and are thankful to be members of this wonderful community. Jim and Maureen Howell
Editor, the News:
I have so many people to thank after this catastrophe that happened Feb. 14. God will see the help that you have given me, and you are all going to heaven if I have any say in the matter. Thank you very much for what you have done for me. It would be a really good thing if everything works out the way it should.
Before this accident, I had a dream of helping people and with your prayers I will still be able to. This accident didn't really affect your life, but it certainly had a horrible effect on mine. And what you have done for me will have a positive effect on my life. Thank God and thank all of you. -Sam Howell
Sorry that this entry is so long and that this thanks is so overdue, but heartfelt, nevertheless.
-Maur... aka Sam's Mom (and Bec's and Heath's) and Jayne's big sis