THIS IS A SECRET! PLEASE DO NOT SHARE! There are two things I know about my mom for sure: 1) She hates stuff, 2) She loves people! This has always been apparent. You are probably well aware of this because my guess is that in some way she impacted your life. Perhaps you have memories of getting off the bus and making your way over to her house, as one of the endless kids she took care of after school; perhaps like so many, you called her "mother Micah, " or maybe just familiarly, "Mom!" Perhaps she taught you how to ride a bike, or love animals, or use your imagination. Perhaps she fed you on weekends or weekdays or all the days in between with whatever she had, which was never very much, but it was always enough, and she'd share every bit of it. Or maybe her house was where you came before Friday night rollar skating, or for slumber parties or to get ready for dances or after dances, or for the countless other events that she said "Yea, invite them all!" And I use "kids" in quotation marks because perhaps you aren't a kid at all anymore, or you weren't a kid through your relationship with her. Perhaps at some time she has been your confidant, the person that always listened, helped you problem solve, stood by you when everyone else had abandoned you, dropped you off food when you were sick, hugged you in the grocery store --walking down the street--at a gas station--at a party-- really anywhere (the woman gives fix-it-all hugs). Or perhaps she took you in as a member of her family because you had nowhere else to go, maybe just for a day, maybe for more than that because you needed it, and by God she was going to help. Or maybe, just maybe, she showed you how to save an animal or 6 or 15 because that is her heart. You have these memories because this incredible woman that is my mom, your mom, our mom, loves people, loves you. 

This year, on October 10th, Micah turns 55. My dad passed away at this age, and before he did he charged me to take care of her. And darn it, if I'm not going to keep my word to him. But I admit to you it is one of my biggest fears, a constant worry, that I myself will not be able to do it alone. And I'm not great at asking for help. (A little too much like my mom in some ways, I suppose. hehe!)

Last year, Seth and I helped her to purchase her dream home. A 100 year old farmhouse in Vermont. Set idyllically in a small town, nestled among the mountains, she built dreams for the future. Today, I returned from my first visit there, and let me tell you, it is everything you could hope for her. She has found joy there.  However, just like always, my mom picked a home that needs a lot of love...of course she did...she's always going to pick the one that needs her the most. The house has such charm, old stone walkways, an apple orchard, a driveway that shares a river view...it is just as you imagine it. 

But as I sat with her and talked about her plans, all her dreams for how she envisioned the property, I could hear the pain in her voice. My brothers both have special needs, one severe, both are still at home, and both may be forever. She is struggling, as a single mom, with medical bills, she has a vehicle that is constantly in need of work, and because she is who she is, every practical need of the family will come before those things she hopes for her new home. Except...the things she hopes for her new home are also needs...fixing the roof so the ice doesn't damn up in the winter, painting the outside of the house completely (which she paid someone to do, and they took her money and didn't finish the job), replace the broken windows, seal the chimneys, and fix the fence. And as I listened to my mom, and these dreams she has for her home, this place of respite, my heart broke because I cannot alone give her what she "wants," but in reality, what she really needs. 

As I pondered this, in close to a state of hopelessness, I was inspired in an "Eat, Pray, Love," kind of way... What if I could reach out to those who she has spent her life loving, and together we could make a "love gift" for her birthday...put together a book with notes for how she has impacted those in her life, and give her whatever funds we can raise to help her on towards her dream  and to encourage her that her life, her actions have raised a village. (Because we all know the woman would never ask us for a thing-and never complain if she didn't have what she needed.) 

So, you have now been let in on my SECRET PLAN, and I ask you to get involved in two ways: First, if you want and can, contribute a dollar, 5 dollars, however many dollars sits well in your heart towards the cause of helping Micah to build a strong foundation for the future. Second, either leave a message to her in the notes about how she impacted you, a memory of her and you that you cherish, or if you want, you can message me directly with the story or memory and include a picture of the two of you (of course the picture is not required). I will be compiling these into a book for her, which I will ship to her on her birthday along with whatever funds are raised. In return, I promise to share with you video of her opening the package, so that you can see the blessing you have bestowed. Seth and I will be contributing every penny we can to this as well! This year, help me give her the hope she so desperately needs, not “stuff,” and a gift that can impact her in the same way she has forever changed us.

I Love you guys! I am charging you with keeping this a SECRET.  Thank you so much for being a part of this! I can’t even begin to imagine how full her heart will be because of you. -Natalie 

P.S. If you could have all funds donated by October 1st, so I can certify mail her check and her book, in time for her birthday, I would truly appreciate it! Thanks again!