Cracked but not broken..

In 6 days from today, my sweet little 4 month old niece will go into surgery to fix her cracked, not broken heart. She was born with a hole in her heart. Today we know she actually has 3 holes, 1 big and 2 smaller ones. Our family, both immediate and extended, and our friends have so much love for this little girl. It's amazing to me the pure joy one little face can bring someone. My sister and I both each had one child before little Bean came along, Levi(21)and Denika. Bean is the name I chose for Graci Nicole before she was born. I needed a nickname for her since I've called her sister Peanut since the day she was born 12 1/2 years ago. Denika (AKA Peanut) recently told me that I could call her Peanut forever, she would never get tired of it. I hope Bean allows the same for her. We'll see.... I know that I asked that everyone but my Grandma to stop calling me Neecie when I was about Denika's age. Grandma was always allowed. :-)

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am more of a spiritual person, not a religious one. I used to tell a co-worker that I was on dial up and she was on direct connect when it came to God. We always got a good laugh out of that one! Then when my cousin Brenda wrote on my sisters Facebook that she'd light a candle for Graci.. I thought what a great idea. What if anyone who wanted to would light a candle and say a little something to help Graci and the doctors and our family get through what will probably be the toughest 4-6 hours we will ever have to live through.. How awesome would that be? Since Graci will be in surgery beginning 7/16/09 @ 0630, and that's pretty early for most, so my thought is how about the night before the surgery. At a time that most people are home.. 8pm.

So, if you're home on Wednesday July 15th @ 8pm and would like to light a candle for Graci and our family, please do so. I am leaving for California on Tuesday and packed in my suitcase is a special candle that I will be lighting.

Thanks for all your love and support..

Love, Denise