It's A Wonderful Life

Every year at Christmas, our family watches “It’s A Wonderful Life.” My favorite part is the end, when George Bailey stands in his living room surrounded by family and friends who have all come to help him through a difficult time. I have always wondered what it would feel like to be George Bailey. How would it feel to be able to really see how many people love and support you…to have family and friends come during a difficult time and lift and help you in a way that you could not do for yourself?

My dear friends, last night I came home and wept because I truly felt like George Bailey. Your response to our Chick-fil-A night was overwhelming! For over two hours the line was constantly out the door and the drive thru packed. It was incredible for us to be able to individually name everyone in those lines. The restaurant was so full that many families needed to take their dinner home because there were no available tables. Our family was doing our best to help with garbage, cleaning tables, refilling drinks and making ice cream cones and therefore did not get to personally thank each one of you and give you a hug. I just hope you know that you not only helped us financially, but you truly made us feel loved and supported in our efforts to bring our son home. Thank you for coming and thank you for staying through those long lines! 

Thanks to each of you, we had 143 “Bring Michael Home” vouchers turned in last night. We raised $563 from your Chick-fil-A purchases! In addition to this, $401 in donations was handed to our family throughout the night and was even left at our front door. Many people asked how they could make direct donations through our blog and $485 was given to Michael through his Reece’s Rainbow site last night and this morning.

We are grateful beyond words to you for your support and love. I just wish that our little Michael could see and feel how many people in our community love him and are sacrificing to bring him home. I truly hope that one day he will know. But as for me, when Christmas comes around again and we watch “It’s A Wonderful Life,” I will remember my own George Bailey experience in the American Fork, Chick-fil-A and I will be forever grateful for our friends who have helped to give us a really wonderful life.