I have always loved being a member of this community. I have always known that Dopers are some of the most amazingly generous and caring people on the planet. However, not until I was in a frightening, tense, needy and downright terrifying situation myself could I possibly begin to comprehend the true nature of the people here.
I intend this thread to pay tribute to all those wonderful individuals who have not grown sick enough of hearing about Emma Katheryn to post numerous Pit threads about it. I apologize in advance because I know that I will never be able to say what I want to say. I cannot put into words how I feel toward my fellow Dopers. This is my feeble attempt at thanking a few of the people who deserve so much more than my thanks and who have my undying appreciation, love and respect. I know I am going to forget people and I am truly sorry. Please know that I am eternally grateful for everyone who ever even gave a second thought to what I was going through.
First of all, I must thank two men who both had very special places in my heart before all this happened and who now have special places in my daughter’s heart as well.
Dave , you called to check on me it seems almost daily. If you couldn’t talk to me, you spoke to Steven. You kept everyone here updated with information as you received it. You listened to me complain about swollen feet, backaches, heartburn and numerous other irritations. You also helped me emotionally. You gave me advice, you helped me see things the way they are and kept me focused on the important things in life. Yet, at the same time, you helped me just release. I had some pretty intense unrelated emotions coming into the situation with the baby and you were invaluable during that time. After the baby was born, you had plenty on your own plate to handle. You were falling deeply in love with an amazing woman and you didn’t need to be concerning yourself with an emotionally unstable internet friend. Yet you kept calling, you kept updating–you were there for me. I will never forget that. You are a true friend and an amazing man. Emma Kate is incredibly lucky to have you in her life. So am I.
Patrick , the baby book you created for Emma Kate is something that can never be matched. The time, effort and emotion it took to put it together is something I cannot even begin to contemplate. It means more to me than I can tell you–both because I do not have the words and because there’s too much involved to simply explain in a few sentences. The collection of positive thoughts, prayers and poems is invaluable and it is even more precious to me that you arranged it. After everything, you made this beautiful, lasting reminder of what an incredible person you are. I want to take this opportunity to apologize to you from the bottom of my heart. The fact that you could create something so extraordinary in spite of everything humbles me. I am ashamed of myself and in awe of your strength and caring nature. You have my unending love and appreciation for all that you’ve done for me.
Everyone who signed Emma Kate’s On-Line Baby Book , this is something that Emma Kate will cherish her entire life and so will I. She will always know that she was in the thoughts and prayers of so many wonderful, caring people she had never met. She is a very special baby and she has the most unique baby book in existence. Years from now, she will remember the kind words and thoughts of the greatest collection of people on the planet. She’ll be a better person becuase of it–just watch and see!
Scotti, I know Emma Kate has been in your thoughts since long before she was born. You are such a loving person, you have always been so good to me and now that goodness has carried over to my daughter. She has been told numerous times about her sweet Auntie Cheri and we have put your sweet gifts to her on display in her room. When she is old enough, I know she’ll want to meet you as much as you want to meet her! Thank you so much for always keeping us in your thoughts.
rocking chair, the gifts you have sent Emma Kate are also on display in her room. In fact, the panda bear you sent has his own special place on top of her dresser. He is currently wearing the “I love New York” t-shirt as it is still too large for Emma Kate The hat that you sent was the very first gift that Emma Kate received from anyone. Your gift is her very first gift ever. We have placed it in the keepsake drawer with her baby book for safe keeping. I cannot tell you what it meant to me that someone I have never met cared enough and thought enough to send a special, custom-made gift to my newborn daughter. While everyone around me was afraid to even think about the possibilty that Emma Kate might survive, you sent her the first piece of clothing she ever owned. That meant so much to me. It was as if at least one person was saying, “Yes, she may be small but it is still a new life and we should celebrate.” Thank you for helping me to hold onto what hope I had.
Pundit, thank you so much for the preemie clothes you sent. When they arrived, Emma Kate couldn’t even wear a preemie diaper–she laid in one. However, I could look at those clothes and know that soon she would be big enough to wear them. And she soon was big enough and now she has outgrown them! I can hardly believe it but it’s true. Not only does she no longer lie inside a preemie diaper, she can’t even wear them anymore–she has graduated to Newborn size!
I know I have forgotten some people and I’m sorry. I have had to stop and feed the little piglet twice while writing this! I know that these are just words floating along in cyber-space but it’s the best I can do right now. I would love to give each and every one of you a big hug but since that’s not feasible, I have this post. Please forgive typos and grammatical errors–I don’t get sleep any more. 
