27 days ago, I posted this on twitter:

I tweeted about Sharlie in that instant because I knew that already so many of you had been a part of her story. You had read her blog, you had seen her face here on mine, you had felt of her goodness. Several months ago dozens of you made it possible for us to open up Shop for Sharlie by lending your talents to a good cause. And then hundreds of you donated $5 with your purchases to go towards her medical costs. You wished us well and cheered us on when we raised $100,000 in one day. I knew you were invested in her.
I also knew that if anyone out there happened to read my tweet and send up just one extra prayer for Sharlie, it would make a difference. I knew it had to.
And that’s where it began.
27 days ago, none of us had any idea what the road ahead would look like for Sharlie and her family or how this life altering operation would shape the rest of her days.
I had no idea how much it would change my heart.
The night I first got to see Shar after the surgery, she was barely conscious and in a lot of pain. She was aware enough for us to know that she could understand what s going on, but her swollen tired eyelids kept her from being fully awake. Yet as I greeted her in the ICU with tears flowing down my face and words of encouragement to lift her up, she in turn did the lifting. Barely able to speak, she spent every ounce of energy she had to tell me how much she loved me and to thank me. Over and over again she said ” thank you so much, you mean so much to me, you’re the greatest friend I could ever ask for, I love you.”

In her lowest of physical lows and moment of deepest trial, she blessed my life and taught me about gratitude.
The three weeks that have passed since returning from Stanford, I have felt such a range of deep emotion. I feel at the verge of tears at any given moment, and yet feel so much hope and happiness at the same time. And gratitude. So much gratitude.
Since the transplant happened less than a week before I left for blissdom, I was terrified that it would be impossible to focus while I was there and that it would be a really difficult trip for me. Boy, was I wrong.
From the first moment, I was in awe at how many were so kind. Several will vouch for me when I say I cried openly to perfect strangers as they whispered her name and sent love and well wishes and prayers. I could see that there were hundreds, if not thousands who were touched by her story, praying for her recovery, and fully invested in this story of faith and hope.
Thank you.
Thank you for your selflessness.
Thank you for lifting her, and thank you for sustaining me.
I spoke to Shar last night for the first time since we were at Stanford. I cried at the sound of her voice and smiled ear to ear hearing of her successes. And she expressed gratitude once again for the prayers offered on her behalf. I know she may never have the chance to thank all of you, so I will. Thank you.
Thank you!!!
Sometimes I wonder why Allora Handmade became such a huge part of my life at this season. I often think if I could run this business once my kids were all in school or if I could’ve figured it out in those years we were waiting to be blessed with children, this could’ve been a little less chaotic. There are days that I doubt my ability to do all of this AND have happy children and a happy husband. However, when I realize the opportunity I’ve had to introduce Sharlie to so many people that would have never known her otherwise? The chance to invite that many more people to pray for her, to donate what they can? And the love that you have poured out upon me? And the way my heart has been stretched and tugged and changed by witnessing your goodness and sharing miracles with you? There is no doubt in my mind that THIS is the season for this blog and business and possibly for this if nothing else.
You are the reason.
She is the reason.
I love rosies and all, don’t get me wrong… But this is what life is all about.
Thank you for being part of it, I will never be the same.

Sharlie was released from the hospital a few days ago and will be doing intensive physical therapy up in Palo Alto for the next few months. I will try to keep you updated, but feel free to follow along on the Sharlie’s Angels Facebook page or follow Ryan (Sharlie’s sweet husband) and Sharlie on instagram (@cusnooch and @sharliek).