So here we are at year 4. Who would have thought so much would have changed and so much stayed the same. As I write this, I am sitting on a four wheeler overlooking construction taking place at our new facility in Newton Township. Today’s date is June 28, 2013 and according to my countdown app we have 6 days, 21 hours, 50 minutes and 32 seconds till we open on July 5, 2013. The days leading up to today have been a whirlwind of emotion. A lot of tears of joy but as we get closer to July 5th the tears of sorrow creep closer. I wear my dark sunglasses even when it’s not sunny because I never know when a wave of emotion will hit me. The one constant steady thing leading up to this point is the amazing people involved in this project and their never give up attitude.
I hesitate to start naming names in thanks because I’m always afraid that I might miss someone but since I have 6 days left until I publish this I’m going to give it a try. In no particular order, here is my list of thanks and some funny stories from along the way. “I’m not a horse guy but…” that statement has been made more times than I can possibly count when I’m speaking to Jody Cordaro about construction and, every time, it makes me smile. If you don’t know Jody, then you haven’t been hanging around long enough. We first met in 2010 and from the word go Jody has been “IN” and he’s in deep. I’m lucky to have him on the Board of Directors and even luckier to call him my friend. With too many sayings to count, Gene Talerico has literally been there from the word GO. In 2009, I know he would have never envisioned where we stand today and that place is much stronger because of him and his dedication. It’s amazing how far we have come Gene, what a difference a year makes. I’m proud to call you my friend and even luckier to have you as part of my family. “I’m just the fence guy” are words my boyfriend Kyle Kemp has uttered almost every day since we have been on the ground but somewhere along the way he found himself as a jack of all trades. PS: Because of this my fence still is not done ! Just joking babe! Al Day, one of the most amazing men I have ever had the privilege to meet, and also my daughter Kodee’s Grandpa. To date, there has been nothing this man can’t do! Gary Johnson is famous for the saying “middle miles” and until last week I had no clue what that meant. Gary has had his hands in everything and his boots on the ground everyday overseeing construction at Marley’s Mission. Thank you Gary for you’re never give up attitude even when I was ready to give up. Pat from Leeward Construction and their whole team, absolutely amazing in every sense of the word. Pat has dubbed this project “Marley’s Mission Impossible” - only half joking. Pat and his team have gone the extra mile at every turn and have put up with more than I can say here. Let’s just say Kyle’s Road and Jody’s Road….. IBEW 81 – From Mike to Adam and Paul to Lori Henahan and everyone from Local IBEW 81 I can never say thank you enough for all of your hard work and dedication for ensuring we had “lights on” on July 5th. Denise Burne, a woman after my own heart, one of the purest souls out there who thinks purely of others always. Thank you for making this dream a reality. Keith Eckel – A total stranger to us at first but you have one of the kindest hearts out there. Believing in a vision of a farm on a hill that your dear Aunt once owned. Jeff Trapper from SCE Environmental who is one of the hardest working, most knowledgeable men around. Thank you for showing up every day and giving 110%! There are a million more people to thank so please be on the lookout for my next blog that will include pictures of construction as well more thank yous. Aside from the construction, life still happens. No matter how busy you get. As much as I want to lose sight of why we are here, I can’t because that reason is my reason for living. She’s a 9 year old girl who loves horses and wants to grow up to a K9 officer like her dad, a little girl who’s smile can light the darkest day. However, when her light is dark all of our light dims too. Last night, June 27, 2013, started with fun but as we got home it became clear that she wasn’t ok. She asked for a session with Mrs. Ann and she never does that. She didn’t want to talk about it with me and I’m ok with that because at least she’s telling me what she needs. As we entered our apartment, she proceeded to close and lock windows and became clingy, asking me to check on her every hour on the hour. July 4th 2013 I've slacked off for the last few days because…well I've been busy and way too tired to even think when I get home at night. According to the countdown clock , we have 1 Day, 2 Hours, 25 Minutes and 54 Seconds till we open on July 5, 2013. We experienced “lights on” last night at our new forever home in Newton Township - thanks to IBEW 81 and all of their hard work. Kyle and Brown worked on the last fence while Grandpa Al hung the sign. Gene, Alishia, Traci and I moved a million panels for the round pen, well not quite a million but it felt like it. Meanwhile, in the stable the children played and Chrissy and Bill put together the Remembering Zachary benches. It was a pretty good night with good friends and the feeling of accomplishment for a job well done. On the ride home around 11pm, Kodee, Lexi, Melanie and me drove with Abby Millon blasting out of the radio. Kodee was quiet. I know what quiet means to her, it means she’s somewhere else focused on another time. Just as we are two blocks from home there was a car accident and police had already arrived but were blocking the intersection so I turned around but Kodee still saw them and the questions started. “Mom will the cops drive by our house tonight?” “But mom what if they don’t?” Me: “Kodee I promise they will.” “But mom what IF THEY DON’T??” When we had finally driven the two blocks to the house (It seemed like forever). She was ok. Kodee, Lexi and Melanie proceeded to take showers and get ready for bed. Now it’s 12:32AM July 5, 2013. We had a great day with our family and friends. Kyle had to work but for the first time in 4 years I felt good, even though he wasn't with me. It was a weird feeling really, not bad but one I had never expected to feel. Just knowing if I needed him that he would be there made the difference for me. The girls are sleeping, tired after a fun filled day swimming, food, fireworks and fun. I’m in bed and Kyle’s downstairs. I’m beat and can hardly keep my eyes open, excited about the morning and feeling better than I have in a long time. I pray the girls feel the same way and from all accounts of the history of this night for the past 3 years I think they do. Kodee couldn't wait to sleep and with Lexi next to her they haven’t moved a muscle. It does my heart good to know that this year is different, that this year we may have turned the page and started a new chapter, perhaps the chapter where we all live happily ever after. July 5, 2013 2 hours 6 minutes and 5 seconds until we cut the ribbon…. I’m on the couch with the kids and Kyle. The night was peaceful and it’s shocking. My eyes are filling with tears just thinking of the difference this year has made. Maybe it’s the new campus, maybe it’s because I have surrounded myself and the girls with people who love us and truly understand. I can’t express how much these people mean to me and my family. Then there’s Kyle, who would have ever guessed that in September of 2012 I would have met my other half. You really don’t ever know what you’re missing in life until you find it. To the treatment teams and Board of Directors at Marley’s Mission, you all are the definition of selfless. You all have given so much of yourselves to me, the mission and the kids we see every day, I love you all. From total strangers to family, when you said you were" in" you all meant it and because of this you have all had a hand in building HOPE, not only for my family but for this community as well. To the community that has helped us from that dreadful day in 2009 and continued to push the rock up the hill I owe you my life because without all of you I wouldn't have one today. Thank you! And I could not end this blog without saying thank you again to Kevin, Bruin, Ryan, Steve, Dr. Rogan, Mary Ann Laporta, The Lackawanna EMT’s, Ann Cook, Gene Talerico, The Lackawanna County DA’s office, CMC, Moses Taylor, The CAC, Friendship House, Joni Fox, Jenni Carper and all of the people who were there from the beginning that God awful day. You never forget the people that picked you up after you fall.
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