I received Christmas gifts from my family this year,that left me in an absolute heap on the floor.No joke.I opened the first,an amazing,amazing picture book, put together by Taylor,saw the front and was a goner from there.I said and I quote,"If this is the only gift I get,my Christmas is complete."Well,Caitlin proceeded to pull out the mother of all ... my blog ... published.My blog,in hardcover,from entry one,on March 16,2008 to Zoey's leukemia diagnosis on October 27,2008.Every entry,every picture,every single,solitary comment,all published.The cover is beautiful,the back is beautiful,the inside jacket is beautiful,her words written at the very beginning,beautiful(I re-posted them below.)Two other books are in the works.The next book beginning with the day after diagnosis,up until her release from the hospital in June 2009.The 3rd will take us from home at the end of chemo,through the next year.I was blown away.The work and more importantly the love,poured into these books,just takes my breath away.My gifts finished with another present that revolves around the most important thing in my life,in fact they are my life:my family.I was given a Flip video minoHD camcorder,to record all of our beautiful moments,especially while on the go.I am blessed.Of course I already knew this and it wasn't because of the material gifts I received but rather the love that was expressed so unselfishly to me, by my children.By my husband.Our Christmas was amazing.Simply amazing.But my true gift,the ultimate gift is the gift of these beautiful souls that surround me.They are simply amazing.More Christmas pictures to come ....
*I wish I could show you the entire book by Taylor.Not only the pictures but the captions as well.The first page reads:
"For a mom who graciously gives,constantly perseveres,and never ceases to inspire ..May this book be a reminder of how much each of us love you and how much you have blessed us all."
Do you see why I lost it??Feel free to click on any of these pictures posted and that will enlarge them for you.
*Here is what Caitlin wrote in the front of the blog book:
These pages capture our moments. The beautiful, the tough, the heartbreaking, the amazing. Simple moments and moments filled with uncertainty and pain. Incredible moments of victory and defiance against the odds. All of these moments delivered to us through the existence of one miraculous being, our Zoey Grace.
Who would have known that an online journal would be able to reach out and touch so many? Could we have guessed that Zoey’s journey and your journey as her mother and as a writer would inspire, unite, and encourage countless people? Your writing has been raw and real. Your words have been eloquent and honest. Your messages have given hope. Your heart and its goodness have been revealed through the power of your thoughts which you have selflessly transcribed into a timeless space that immortalizes moments.
Because of your diligence and commitment to sharing, we are able to reflect and rejoice. What a precious gift.
May these pages be a tangible version of what was before only accessible through the computer. Look through them with pride. This is your beautiful work.
Continue writing, continue capturing our moments.
34 comments:
My dear friend, I am blown away as well! Beautiful gifts. Exactly like christmas should be, not just to buy something, insteag giving something from the heart. You did a good job with your kids ;-)
How beautiful.
Merry christmas to the Needham family.
And thanks for the picture you send me. I carry it in my heart.
Truly special Heather. Your children "get it" and that is a tribute to you and Mark. Enjoy!
Such amazing & beautiful gifts! Truly from the heart. Happy New Year to the Needhams.
Robyn from Otisco Lake
OMGoodness, Heather, your kids are awesome!!! {{{HUGS THEM ALL}}}}}
Oh you didn't tell me about those books last night. They are so beautiful! Were did they get them bound at? I would love to do the same. Your girls are such wonderful daughters, raised by such a wonderful mother, that taught them everything they know. I'm honored to be friends with this great family!!
Wow...what AMAZING gifts...so glad you were blessed this holiday season and surrounded by all your family!
That is beautiful, just breathtaking.
The Needhams are beautiful. We are blessed to know you... and we thank my Zoey for that.
May God continue to bless your days with the kind of love that only He can provide.
We love you so very much.
P.S. And I know who took that photo of precious Zoey, published on the front cover of your book!! :)
I can say nothing more than Wow!!!
Isn't it just amazing how connections with others spread strength, courage, hope, and faith? From hugs to blogs, keep connecting!
I hope we send to you at least some of what you send to us.
Peace...
This is Joyce. And now I am a heap on the floor. Just reading about and the message, so what an amazing family you have Heather. I am so appreciative that I have been able to read of your journey. Truly a gift you all have. Thank you for sharing.
And now you see what keeps me coming back for more. YOU and your beautiful family have captured my heart and inspired us to listen to the still quiet voice calling us to something more. Im looking forward to the new year of our families growing stronger..... one step at a time. I too received a gift that brings tears to my eyes. We are so blessed.
How lovely each of your girls' words written to you Heather. All from the heart! Kudos.. Caitlin & Taylor Bet the tissue box was empty!! Loved, loved your gift to Mark's parents. (understand Jessica was part of that project)
lots of love & thought went into the album amazing talent you all have!
And, as you know I was blessed to receive a soft copy of the blog - I must say I also was blown away way out here on the east coast. It was passed around on Christmas Eve (Lois house) I will be pouring through it, reading each and every word on the cold, wintry days here in upstate NY.
(and sharing with family & friends)
Altho I only spoke with Mark a few minutes on Christmas Day I want you all to know how very very lucky I feel to to be your aunt, great aunt and great-great aunt...
Love & hugs to everyone
Bluebelle/Loraine
Wow, what an amazing gift. Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!
Oh what wonderful gifts! Your kids are amazing, just like their mom. So glad you had a wonderful Christmas. If Caitlin gets a minute could she just email where she went to publish your blog? I would like to do that to Kaelyns blog. That way I can have all your beautiful comments and reassuring words right at my fingertips:)
Heather, what precious, precious gifts. I agree with Claudia, exactly like Christmas should be. To think that one little doll named Zoey started it all. How can it get any better than that. Love and hugs
Wow..that gave me goose bumps.
What beautiful, sweet and caring children you have...gosh I can't imagine how proud you are of them!
Warmly
Kate
Heather,
You get what you give...you reap what you sew. You inspire your family and you inspire your readers.
I of course come here to see Zoeys precious smile and to follow her progress...but that is not the only reason. I come here to read what you write. Your thoughts, your feelings.
As a mother of a special child myself...I know how hard it can be at times. I know when there are setbacks... I want to throw my hands in the air and scream...WHY!
I admire that you come here and share your life...the ups and the downs with your readers. I have never met you...but I feel like I know you. Our lives are different but I relate to you. You have a way of reminding me of how blessed I am.
Your children clearly admire you too. They gave you gifts from their hearts because that is what you have given them...they have learned from you.
Happy New Year!
What a wonderful, wonderful gift!
Absolutely beautiful!
Want to go and have a good cry right now, but I've got Aniela and her friends over. Have to wait!! How absolutely amazing! You so deserve those incredible, wonderful kids!!!
Your one super blessed Mama!
Wow I am a little speechless, and have tears in my eyes, you truely have an amazing family, very very special. I feel blessed to be able to be part of your journey even if from so far away, I thank you for touching my live in ways I never realised would happen when I first started reading your blog. Miss Zoey is an inspiration and blessing to all
Amazing, Heather. Your children, your family, you are simply amazing, my friend!
That is the most amazing gift!! What a wonderful family you have.
As always, sending lots of love your way to you and your amazing family.
Heather, I came across your blog and could not stop reading it. I am so moved by your family and story. Thank you for sharing it with me. It truly warms my heart.
What amazing gifts. Our families seem to have many similarities. Your daughters remind me of mine, all sweet amazing girls!
So beautiful, very special gifts
What AWESOME gifts! You have some very amazing children! So thoughtful and touching! Glad to hear you had a wonderful Christmas! HUGS!!!
Awesome gifts! Your daughters are too sweet! I wish I would have had time to do something like that for my mother.
I'm totally agreeing with everybody ... just amazing. How's Zoey? hope you all had a good Christmas and all were well.
Wow!!! What a great family you have (but we already knew that!) I do have to tell you I have sat down a few times to start to put my blog into a book ... but I end up quitting every time. It's nearly impossible. Too much - I can't figure out an easy way to do it. If your daughter found a site, or somewhere to do it - please let me know!!! I may just have to put my kids in summer camp all summer and sit down and do it over summer break.
Show us more pictures too! I'd love to see more of the finished project. So so exciting isn't it!!!
Mery Christmas!
I agree wholeheartedly!
I consider myself very blessed to be part of your life's journey.
What a wonderful gift. You are truly blessed and you are truly a blessing to all of us.
Happy New Year!
May God continue to bless you, Heather, Zoey, the entire family and all of us readers. ;-)
Wonderful thoughts and prayers for you all!
I love the books. I wish I could be as creative as your girls are.
-Evy
Truly thoughtful and amazing!
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