On Sunday morning we arrived at the beautiful Haak Vineyards and Winery. Everyone was running around getting everything ready for the beginning of the Caring for Courtney Classic Car Show and Benefit. There were many factors not in our favor this day. There was the large Pasadena Strawberry Festival, High School Senior Activities and rain predicted. All we could do was go for it and do the best we could. As it turned out this was one the most wonderful adventures Courtney has ever had. I need to thank so many people for supporting us with this event. I sat in front of the wonderful Peewee Bowen Band as they performed tirelessly for the benefit of one pretty little red headed girl called Princess Courtney. As I looked around the pavilion at all the faces, some familiar and some not, I thought of how each has a story. A story about Courtney, about how she has touched them in some way. She couldn't speak a word to call out for them to help her. Some had never even met Courtney before, only heard of her from others and knew she was a child in need. First and foremost I need to thank Peewee Bowen and his band. Without their help this event would not have been the wonderful event that it was. Peewee Bowen and his band had worked very late the night before but still came out for Courtney, charging us not a penny for their time and talent. We will be forever thankful to these wonderful men. Peewee spent lots of time telling his car club friends about Courtney and asked them to take their beautiful classic cars out to display at the winery in her honor. There was no car show competition, no trophy to be won for these people. They came just out of the goodness of their hearts. The Bayou City Cruisers were very generous and donated a check for $400.00 for Courtney. I want to thank Charles Whitley also, he spent a good deal of time selling many tickets for Courtney. There were all kinds of beautiful classic cars there for Courtney. It must have been 20 or 25 in all from many different classic car clubs. We can never re-pay these people for their kindness. Many of these people went to the pavilion and danced to the wonderful music and bought bottles of wine. They bought raffle tickets and bid on the silent auction items. They are such good people. We hope to get to know them better. We are planning on taking Courtney to hear Peewee and his band again in June. Courtney smiles when we ask her if she wants to go dance again. I want to thank the employees and the owners of the winery. They were silently working behind the scene, setting up tables and chairs. The food was prepared and wines set out on display. Although we were charged for the food, cokes and wine with Courtney's personalized label, there was no charge for us to use the facility. I did not know until that day that the Haak family had lost a granddaughter when she was just 18 months old. Gladys could hardly speak to me, even after 20 years the memory of her grandchild still brings her to tears. All the tips earned that day from the gift shop and from the chef and staff were donated to Courtney. Their tips were not much money but it was what these caring people had to offer. I was moved beyond words. We appreciate the kindness of all these people. The Caring for Courtney Volunteers were wonderful. There was Suzanne and the Girl Scouts painting faces. We had never met any of them before. The girls had painted Caring for Courtney on their arms, such a sweet way to show that they care for our little angel. I was proud of each of them for spending their Sunday afternoon helping out. It's amazing how these girls are so young and already have such giving hearts. We are very thankful for each of them. Ernest Barrera is my daughter Shirley's instructor at the college she attends. Ernest not only volunteered to come out and help with the event he also made baskets for the silent auction and purchased all the frames which described each of the items on the table. Ernest is a real gentleman with a heart of gold. Sitting with Ernest at the ticket table was David, he is a classmate of Shirley's. I found out that he has a special needs brother and his family has many needs also. He is the nicest person, I hope to see him again. We had Richard and Tina Smith from Apollo Signs volunteering at the silent auction table. This couple took over the silent auction table like pros, we didn't have to worry about a thing. I don't know how to begin to thank them for all they did. Sometimes saying thanks seems so little. We had one fire department family at the event. The Ferguson family is always there when we need them. Joel was one of the fire fighters that we met for the first time at our house in August, almost 3 years ago. Joel had to give up a days work at his lawn mowing business to come out to be a volunteer in case we needed him. Joel, his wife Karen and their little boy Joseph have become like family to us. We often take Courtney out on outing with them. I can't begin to tell you how comforting it is to know we have a family we can call on when we need help. The City of South Houston Fire Department bought many raffle tickets for the event but could not attend because of training. Many of you may recognize Ruthie Johnson. She is the young lady that has come out to Courtney for 4 years in a row on Easter morning wearing the Easter Bunny Costume. If you missed the montage, go to the link Courtney's Videos on her site and watch the Easter Memories Montage. Ruthie's story with Courtney began when Courtney was in the hospital when she was turning 3 years old. Courtney went to surgery to have a central line placed and the surgeon punctured Courtney's lung. Courtney had to stay in the hospital with a chest tube because of that. Ruthie's story began when I called the mall and asked if someone would come in costume on Easter morning to visit my beautiful granddaughter in the hospital. Ruthie was the person who answered the phone. She has found a way to get to Courtney on Easter morning for four years in a row. We cherish our friendship with this young lady, she is such an inspiration to us. We hope she goes far with her beautiful singing. While watching the montage many of beautiful photographs you will see were taken by our personal photographer, Tania Elizalde. We met Tania when I went to her parents beautiful ballroom to inquire about the cost of having a special celebration for Courtney's 5th Miracle birthday a year ago. Since Courtney most likely will not live to celebrate her 15th or Sweet 16 birthday, Candace told me she wanted to make sure that Courtney had a special 5th birthday. Tania's story began that day as I sat down to discuss the celebration. I left with tears of joy and couldn't wait to tell Candace about the miracle that has just happened. The Elizalde family was giving the entire event for 200 people to us at no charge. Venue, food, DJ, servers, two tier cake with fountain and a castle on top, beautiful table and chair linens and a very expensive photography package. I still cry when I think about how generous this family has been to us. We now have the honor of calling the entire Elizalde family our friends. They invite us to their special family events. Tania and her fiance Heath are getting married in October and Courtney and Kendall will be their flower girls. We are forever in their debt for all they do for us. Among our guest this day were some friends of my husband Manuel's. Coach Larry Mora, his wife Sondra and Barry Boggs have been Caring for Courtney for a very long time. When Courtney was three years old, these wonderful people had a huge BBQ fundraiser to pay for Courtney's special wheelchair stroller. For three days these people gave their all for Courtney. Our community came out in droves to help, buying the plates of BBQ to help Courtney. I just can never thank them enough and will never forget how hard they all worked. Barry and Larry didn't stop Caring for Courtney after the BBQ either. They both are always there to help with anything and everything we need. Barry is in very poor health but he still came out for many many days tearing out the garage and helping with Courtney's new wheelchair accessible room. He is a special blessing to us. The wonderful Rod Sutton and his wife were sitting at the table of friends. I don't know what we ever did to deserve this special man's friendship. He has spent many long hours working in the hot garage for Courtney. He also comes within minutes if something goes wrong with the air conditioner for Courtney. God has abundantly blessed us with these people. I need to recognize the Pasadena Independent School District employees for all their support over these last three years. They have bought many raffle tickets and come out to support Courtney in her events also. I looked over and saw Kevin Thompson, another PISD employee and friend. I need to thank him also for all the raffle tickets he has helped sell. I want to thank the Merida family for attending Courtney's event. Their son is Hayron, he has the same terminal illness as Courtney. He is Courtney's best friend forever. They have become good friends. Now I need to thank all the people and businesses who donated things for the raffle and silent auction. We appreciate you all. I know I have missed thanking many, I apologize. God has used each of you to show us that he will take care of us, our needs will be met. You are an extension of his love. We are grateful for all you have done for us. We love you all. Many say to us that Courtney is lucky to have us. We are the lucky ones. We have one of God's special angels he has sent for us to take care of. I accept Courtney as a blessing. Knowing that this precious child will not always be here for me to kiss, that she will never walk or call me grandma is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life. |