Feeling Better

Well it's the day after Christmas and I'm already feeling much better.  Don't get me wrong, I still miss my little Hailey more than words can express, but I feel the hope again.  Last night, after typing my post, I had a major emotional breakdown.  I cried harder than I think I've ever cried before.  I actually cried so hard I gave myself a bloody nose!  That's a first for me.  Luckily, I have an amazing husband who came upstairs and just sat and held me while I sobbed and talked and sobbed and talked and sobbed some more.  I was terrified that the pain I felt last night would never ease up, but it did.  As I was sitting there crying, I felt as if Hailey said to me, "It's okay mommy, I'm here," which then made me cry even harder.  But I believe she was there.  I don't know where I'd be without my faith and knowledge that she still lives...maybe not here physically, but there spiritually.  I know she's happy, which doesn't necessarily make me happy, but it does give me some peace and comfort. 

Yesterday was probably one of the weakest days I've had since Hailey's passing, but now that today is a new day, I am going to pick myself up and continue moving forward and doing good things for others in her name.  So, on that note, I wanted to share with all of you some of the "Hailey's Halos" we've been able to give out this holiday season. 

This is the email that Sean posted on the Hailey Mayz Foundation Website:  (posted December 23, 2009)
Shortly after our most recent halo announcement, we received an email from one of Wendy's high school friends. She is a nurse who has been taking care of Caylan, a single mother whose baby boy, Aiden, was born with Down's Syndrome. Caylan has been working hard to care for little Aiden and to make ends meet. It has not been easy - she wasn't planning on having Christmas this year. When we heard the story, we decided it was time for Hailey Mayz to help out. We called Caylan yesterday morning to tell her the news. You should have seen the smile on Lexi's face as she heard Caylan's joy, gratitude and excitement through the phone. What a blessing for our family. We hope and pray that this little gift from Caylan's friend and our angel Hailey will give them a Merry Christmas.

We also received an email from the sister of a girl I grew up with. Her sister's daughter, Nora, recently came down with Necrotizing Pneumonia and suffered some permanent lung damage. She has been in the hospital for quite a while, and the family has incurred some unexpected medical bills and financial hardship that typically goes hand-in-hand with caring for sick children. We sent Nora's family a Hailey's Halo as well - just in time for Christmas. Nora came home yesterday (yay) but has an uphill climb ahead of her.

Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers...

I really think we are onto something. We are leveraging the power of social networking and the charitable nature of our friends on Facebook to connect families in need with this foundation. Have we created a true social charity?

A quick update on the family we adopted from CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County) - Last night we dropped off a ton of gifts, clothes, and food to a family that had a special needs baby in the NICU at CHOC. What a humbling experience to look into the eyes of a grateful mother & father and hear the joy in the children's voices as they opened their gifts. Lexi said in the car on the way there, "You know what the best gift for all these people we've helped is? Hailey". While there is probably no clinical evidence to prove it, I believe this service is helping to heal my 6-year-old's heart. And mine and Wendy's.

Many of you have donated to the foundation, and for that we'll be forever grateful. Many of you will send us recommendations on who we can help. For this, we will also be forever grateful. You are giving our family the opportunity to serve. You are helping our family heal.

We will be going on a short hiatus while we try to get through the holidays, but will keep you posted as the Hailey Mayz Foundation continues its quest to spread love and cheer.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Love,

The V's


Here is just one of the emails we received from a family that we were able to help through Hailey (and all of you!):

Dear Sean and Wendy,
I just wanted to write you a quick note while I have the kiddos in bed and I haven't joined them quite yet...we received your generous check today and we wanted to thank you again and let you know how grateful we are to be a part of Hailey's legacy. Your faith and generosity are an inspiration and a testament to your daughter's life and all the lives she has touched. When I have the chance, I am eager to write a little bit of Nora's story for your website, but I had to share something here for you that is unbelievable and a small miracle in my life--as I was talking to Sean last night on the phone, I mentioned to him that Nora and I found two shiny pennies on the street as we were getting into the car going home from the hospital, and how I immediately thought of Wendy and Hailey (I had been reading Wendy's blog for strength during our hospital stay). That story ended our conversation on the phone, and as I hung up, there on the bedside table, partially under the phone receiver, was a dime! Tails up! I couldn't believe it, and I am still in awed disbelief. Bruce and I were so grateful to hear of your offer to help us, but we were also humbled and wondering if we really deserved it. I truly believe that your daughter, through the will of Jesus, sent a sign to ease my heart and mind about accepting your generosity. What a fitting testament to the miracle of this Christmas season! We wish your family a joyous and blessed Christmas, and we will be praying for strength and joy to be showered upon you.
With grateful love,
Jeannie and Bruce and family
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What can be better than this???  Thank you Hailey!  I love you baby girl.