What Is Family For?

Dear Tanner Family (Jodie and Garrett specifically),

Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for allowing us to come down and invade Mesa and your homes on your behalf. We are so very grateful that you all allowed us to finally make it down to help with what we could. Jodie, I know things have been really rough over that past several months (much more than I can imagine,) but being able to come down and help on the house for you, was a total blessing to not only you but the rest of us more so than you. I feel so glad that I was able to make it down and help with what little I could. I still wish more of us could have stayed down and accomplished more for you, but I sure hope what we got started will be to beginning of your new life and new(ish) home (with adjustments of course.) I hope things will become a little easier with time and you'll all be able to focus less on what needs to be done and focus more on how Garrett can be helped in his recovery. G, you impress me. I've followed your recovery through emails Jess sends out and myspace posts, but I guess I never stopped to think about how different things really have become for you. Yet, your constant smile and reassuring remarks remind me of how determined you are to get your life back, no matter how long that might take. I really was happy and super excited to see you wheeling around the house this afternoon. I can honestly say that that was enough to make me know in my heart that what he had done was a lot and that it will make a difference to you. I'd do it a thousand times if i could. I was stoked to know that you actually can get in and out of the rooms, get in and out of the kitchen; I mean, we actually didn't screw up too badly! I got a little emotional when you came in to see and just took it all in. Your grin said it all.

I feel like I should acknowledge everyone else who was there helping, regardless of how much (yes, the women folk too), and thank you all for making the same sacrifice in the name of Family. Dan, Dustin, and Mark, I think you all deserve a special thanks for all of your know how, expertise, direction, example, and being there; without you guys, none of what we got accomplished could have happened.

I love this family. I would hate to say that I'm glad something like this gave us the opportunity to all get together, so I won't; but what I am glad for is that we could all help to ease the burden of one of our own. I loved helping and being a part of it all. Hard times and good, I am constantly reminded of how great it is to have such a kick ass family like I do and you are all one of the greatest blessings of my life. Our prayers are with you Tanner Clan as you go through this, and know you'll be stronger than ever whenever this all is through. We're here for you guys.

I love you all,
Nate