So Many Thank Yous

I have so many people to thank (and if you are reading this, you are one of them), but I do want to thank some people and entities specifically. So this blog is all about thanks.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to:

• Anthony T. — This guy promised to wear his Packers beanie until Sam goes home. It made me cry. Also Joshua B. and David Q. for showing their support online. 
• The Green Bay Packers fans and the Packers themselves for showing their support. 
• Vikings fans, Seahawks fans, 49ers Fans, Patriot Fans ... and NFL fans for their messages of hope. 
• Joan and Harry for the Green Bay Packers jacket. 
• My friends back in Arkansas specifically Karen (my touchstone), Carl (who’s suffered such loss this past year), Damona, Kristy, Trey, Tracy, Martha, Eric, Linda, Rene, Susan, Ron, Andrea, Phillip, Curtis, Jim, David, Kathy, Tricia, Mark, Alex, Judy, Matthew, Julie, Wendy, Genny, Heather, Lisa T., Ryan, Chip, Katie, Lisa C., Mike, Steve, Kim, Ann, Jean, Lin, Mark and Joy, and Becky and Jay. I may be missing a few names, so I apologize but know I am grateful for everything you have done for me and Sam. 
• My employer and my co-workers at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. I wish everyone had an employer and co-workers like these … we are family. 
• My parents, my brothers, my sisters-in-law, my cousins, my aunts and uncles, my nieces and nephews and Sam’s friends specifically Regina, Jeffrey, Wilson, Ellen and Nick. They give him love and strength. He is so fortunate to have them.
• Josie, Sam and Bridget's friend. What a sweetheart. She was here when I couldn't be. 
• Legacy Emanuel Medical Center - This is where you want to be if you have a traumatic brain injury. Thanks to his neurosurgeon Dr. Kent Grewe, his ICU nurses Katie, Eric, Jason and Amanda. His Acute Care nurses Rachel, Dakotah, Selena, Emily and many others. 
• Uber drivers Brian and Anwar. I am now a huge Uber fan. 
• Crowne Plaza Convention Center — They sent flowers, gave me a special hotel rate, and much more. Especially Karlyn. 
• Maggie, Bridget’s mother, who has coordinated fundraisers and was here from the very beginning. She brings me peace. She takes care of Bridget. 
• Sam’s father, Danny Whitehorn, who will be here after I leave to go back to Arkansas for a bit to give Sam and Bridget support. 
• The Abbey Bar, Sam’s employer, for their support and fundraising.
• My long-time love and partner in life, Dan. He is now by my side, here to give Bridget, Sam and I whatever we need. He’s made Sam’s bed, sat with him, walked with him, read to him, and made him laugh. I couldn’t do this without him. He’s keeping me positive and hopeful. I can’t explain what he means to me. 
• Bridget, my son’s precious girlfriend. From the very first day he met her, he told me “I’m in love. We will be together forever.” I laughed it off, but he was right. He knew it. She is his life, and I am grateful for her every day. She’s shown strength and love under the most devastating circumstances. She is her mother’s daughter. During the holidays, we were celebrating their Arkansas homecoming at our favorite Little Rock eatery, owned by my dear friend Gio … Bruno’s Little Italy … and Sam was joking around about his gaining a few pounds, and Bridget responded to him with, “I still love you.” He teased her later about the “still” when what she had meant was “I will love you no matter what.” She is proving that every day. 
• My daughter, Molly. No words, just know that she offers me advice, love and keeps me grounded and hopeful. When I talk to her on the phone, she reminds of how far Sam has come.  I'm so grateful. We share everything, including this pain. She’s had her own struggles the past few years, with a diagnosis of epilepsy, but she has faced with it with grace and has never used it as a crutch. She has always been independent and confident and smart, and she’s helping me think clearly. When Sam could talk on the phone briefly, she’s the person he turned to. They have always been best friends. He asks about her every day, and she will be with him in a few weeks. 
• And, finally, all of the GoFundMe donors. I have never met the majority of them, but now they have touched me forever. Know that I read every single message and am grateful beyond measure. 
• The guys from KATU and KGW here in Portland. You know who you are, and I am grateful for your fair reporting.
• The Portland Police Department detectives. I trust them and know they will seek justice for my son. 

I read the above to Sam, and he said, "I would add some more things about me. Like some compliments about me." That made me so happy. His sense of humor is coming back.