Almost There ... maybe.

Well, here it is ... just 2 weeks before we may leave for Disney World ... and we have fallen short of our goal to earn/raise enough money to get there. The tickets were bought quite a while ago and are non-refundable ... and the entire trip was planned before we took Meaghan in (an expense we did not plan for but we are infinitely HAPPY to endure). We have all worked very hard to try to meet this goal. The kids sold many of their fave toys (including their beloved Wii) ... they have collected bottles & cans for deposit money ... Meaghan has worked at the studio whenever possible ... I have taken in extra clients ... Halis has squirreled away money when he could (despite losing his truck in a fire) ... and we have held three yard sales (third one is this Saturday) ... but somehow we are still short. Life just keeps getting in the way of our best laid plans ... and this economy royally sucks.

So, our sweet, sweet Meaghan nearly broke my heart when she told me that she no longer wanted to go ... as I knew she was lying. She said that she much rather see Isaac go, and therefore would gladly stay home in order to not let Isaac down. Seriously. She said that. She said she would stay with friends ... and not to worry about her ... because she knew we planned this before she came to live with us. It was both beautiful and heartbreaking. And it left me feeling like I had let her down. I mean, there are children who are in need of much more than my kids are ... but Meaghan has had such a hard year. I mean a really hard year. She has spent the last year living in 3 different dysfunctional homes before finally ending up in her forever home here with us. She has endured countless pains from a neglectful family ... and has done so well in overcoming some serious issues that have threatened her very soul. I am so very proud of her.

Recently she has started working as a volunteer at the Bangor Humane Society. And I mean working. She puts in 8-10 hour days cleaning kennels, bottle feeding kittens, walking dogs, and helping in all ways possible. And they love her there. She is so responsible and kind. It is perfect for her. One of the coordinators there told me that she brings such joy to the place and that the employees there were "beaming with pride" over her. That's my girl!

So look ... I KNOW that there are greater issues in the world than sending this kid to Disney World. Even though I truly believe she needs a week of magic in this year of chaos ... I recognize that some kids don't even have food. So, it is with a humble heart that I ask anyone who feels compelled to assist Meaghan in achieving her week of magical Disney bliss to donate what you can to her. I have created a link on the sidebar of this blog in order to raise some funds for her. This is not something she asked me to do - it is one of my last ditch efforts to get her to her goal. We still plan on busting our butts to come up with the money on our own ... but short of not paying rent or utilities, I don't think it can happen without a bit of help.

Again, this is not a dire need for a life in jeopardy ... to be sure. Thus we understand if people have more pressing issues to donate their hard earned money to. We just figure we will give it a shot. You never know what magic can happen unless you open the door to it.

If you are willing to offer something up for Meaghan ... and she/we are still not able to meet our goal ... we will donate all funds to the Bangor Humane Society. Also - I am sure that she will send a heartfelt letter of thanks ... along with a picture of her favorite part of the trip to any and all donors. And no doubt she will continue to work hard for all the animals at the shelter ... because she is awesome :)

Thank you all for sharing & caring.

Much Love,
Jodi & Family