She needs PEACE November 17
Dear Friends of Grace,
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I could say our Thanksgiving was great but I’d be lying. Every day here is gently laced with sadness as we all work hard to cope with Grace’s cycles of misery. Every day she requires 110% of me and David and we are willing to give it for the rest of our days or her days, but unfortunately, even our 110% isn’t enough for her. Thanksgiving wasn’t awful for us, but I guess being a Holiday, I woke up expecting that somehow Grace would be happy or calm but for over 4 years, that’s not been the case. I don’t know why I continue to expect it to happen with each new day. I can only assume it’s not foolishness, but faith that leads me to believe that one of these days God will look down and decide, “Enough is enough” and give her peace. I am writing with a heavy request for prayers for Grace.
I am not sure anymore what specifically we should all be praying for…a cure, a miracle, stability, hope, strength, grace, etc. At the wise age of four, my youngest daughter, Lily asked my husband this morning if he thought Grace would be happier in heaven. He quietly, said “Yes”. Then she went on to say maybe we should ask God to come and take her to heaven. Then Sam, oldest (almost 12 yrs.) said, “I couldn’t pray for that.”
I believe that our continued prayer for Grace MUST be for peace. I am writing to ask you for prayers for peace for her suffering little soul and body. I also realize that we need to be open to accepting whatever form that peace comes in. Whether she stabilizes, falls deeper into the disease, experiences a cure, or God decides that the only peace for Grace is in heaven, then I am ready to accept whatever God wants for her. I have gone to Providence, Boston, New York with Grace seeking help for her. I have connected to people all over the world. I have followed every lead, every drug, every treatment….acupuncture, reflexology, seizure management, morphine, blood tests, bone scans, brain scans, etc. etc. The answer is not here for her. I have stopped seeking medical treatment for her. If something comes up, I’ll try anything, but it’s been a long hard search with no answers.
Please join me in prayers for peace for Grace. Please, until you hear otherwise, don’t stop praying for her. My lack of communicating isn’t an indicator that things are going well for her. She has received her First Communion and has been Confirmed. I know God is close to her and she continues to receive the Eucharist every Sunday.
Many people still try to encourage me to reconsider holding the Race for Grace Strollathon. As a friend commented to me the other day, “You race for Grace every day” and she’s right. I do. I ask that you all join me in continuing to race for Grace, but not in funds anymore. I need to know that you will pray for Grace as often and deeply as possible. Please forward my plea for prayers to as many people as you can.
Thank you and God Bless.
-Tara