Some would say this last eight days have been hell, others would say it's been test of character and that we are only given as much as we can handle. As I look back I see clearly I was given the rare gift to witness real miracles from unique vantage point.
Life clutters priorities and blurs what truly matters in each person’s existence. The things that really matter are too easily moved to the side to make time to deal with daily issues. When one's centre is ripped from their grasp and tossed into the ether, priorities suddenly become crystal clear. The sense of utter loss and confusion is all consuming.
Before I had a chance to fall an inch, an army of friends and family were at my side, without request, without so much as a whisper they were there. The outpouring of love and support for Sarah and all of our family was beyond anything I could have possibly imagined. Words cannot begin to describe the effect all of you had on us. You truly were the first miracle.
Thursday morning was the low point, Sarah's prognosis was bleak and there were very few who believed she had a chance. Mr. Bo Macfarlane sent me a text right then, at the very lowest moment. Along with his other kind words he said, "The Boundary has come alive over this, bud." I find it hard to type those words even now. They carried so much weight, they meant so much. I knew right then Sarah is living a charmed life and could not possibly be taken from all of us like this. It was the boot in the pants I needed at exactly the right time. I shed all doubt at that moment. The fact that love and support can change everything just by showing it was miracle number two.
Miracle number three is our medical system and the amazing people involved in it. The amount of technology, expertise, hours and money that we as a society devote to helping every person who needs it is almost beyond comprehension. You couldn't possibly put a price on life but unfortunately it happens all the time. I've never been so proud to be a Canadian as I have been through this.
Although flawed, our medical system is based on one thing: saving lives, that's it, and it shows. There were no discussions of insurance or if Sarah was worth saving. Teams of doctors, nurses and paramedics worked tirelessly to save Sarah. Helicopters, medicines and machines I won't even pretend to understand were all employed saving her life. I have a brand new deep respect for them all.
I sat helplessly holding Sarah's hand through this entire whirlwind, witnessing miracles happen all around us. Seeing all the people whose lives we have touched come together. All the support, well wishes, love and offers to help in anyway they could. The blur of medical professionals work hard at bringing her back. One thing became clear beyond anything else. We are blessed people. Even then, both of us sick with pneumonia, separated from our children, we had a family of hundreds right there with us. Watching over us. We can never repay all those that were with us through this but this we can promise, anything, anytime we will be there for all of you.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Marc Geen,
Rock Creek
Ed. note: While this letter exceeds our 350 word count limit, we felt it appropriate to print it in its entirety.