Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Andrew's First Grade Journal

I had to go through some old photos today for a work thing...anyway, I found Andrew's Journal from 1st grade at Chattahoochee Elementary.  As I was flipping through it, wiping back tears as I recalled his sweet face, I found this entry:


Hard to read his handwriting and clearly he was not the spelling bee champion, but what it says is:
"If I could have any toy in the world I would have a motor bike."  At 7 years old he wanted a motor bike.  Guess some things were meant to be.

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Incredible

Incredible.  It's the only word that I can think of right now.  Gratitude simply isn't enough.  I don't know how else to express my sincerest and deepest thanks to the 18 individuals who made this happen.

Here's the scoop...a few months after Andrew died I inquired about having a plaque or something placed in the emergency room at the hospital in his memory.   When I learned the cost I knew I could never reach that amount so I gave up on the idea.  That's when Sherri Creech took over, without my knowledge.

Sherri rallied the troops and found 17 others who wanted to make sure Andrew would not be forgotten.  Together these folks either donated or pledged donations to the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation to make it happen.

Sherri told me Thursday they had raised the money and wanted approval on the wording "In Loving Memory of Andrew Carson" for the plaque.  Then the best part - it's for one of the trauma rooms in the newly renovated emergency room.  If you knew Andrew, then you knew of his love for the excitement of the trauma room.  It's the perfect place for his plaque and I am completely honored by this.

I don't know the names of all of the individuals who donated, by I do know a few.  To all of these people I will be forever grateful that Andrew meant enough to them to do this.  It's an incredible gift that I will never forget.  I'm so fortunate to work with people who care this deeply and are as close as family.

If I learn the names of the others who donated I will add them here.  For now this is who I know:

Sherri Creech
Jason Chandler
Jay Dennard
Starla Johnson
Cindy Finck
Tina Chapman
Deborah Hensley
Patty Lavely
Sue Troccia

If you are one of the ones who donated or pledged, please let me know and I will add your name.  Also, please accept my thanks - it seems like such a small offering from me for the outpouring of love you have shown, but it is all I have.  You all are my heroes for doing this and I love you dearly.

Thank you!