(She's only theoretically resting though because despite her crazy day and all the medication she's been given, freely kicking her legs while laying on her back for essentially the first time apparently trumps her exhaustion!)
Cataloging her various activities this month will have to wait for now because the most special thing to happen with Quinn this month was actually something for which she was not even present. On Saturday, my brothers, sister, best friend and our neighbors hosted a benefit in honor of Quinn.
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my mom and three of my four siblings - Mary, Brian, John (l to r) photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
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the fourth sibling - and Master of Ceremonies - Rick(y) photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
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the world's best neighbors. my brother had the perfect caption for this photo: "this was the moment the neighbors became FAMILY" |
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my best friend Amanda with some more of "Quinn's Crew": Liza, Amanda, cousin Colleen & cousin Kelly photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
^ That's the only word I can come up with to even attempt to describe what went on that day.
Those closest to us worked tirelessly (and often, tired-ly) for months to create one of the most special days of our lives. Four hundred seventy-eight people (yes - 478!) came together to support Quinn and to support our family. There were raffles, there were silent auctions, there were donations of every form.
And there was LOVE.
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"In Support of Quinn's Wonderfull Life" bracelets sold at the benefit photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
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the full LOLA crew photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
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a small portion of the raffles / auction items which included a Howard Stern experience, horseback riding lessons and a private chef photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
It was simultaneously the most hectic, most intense, and most peaceful day I have ever experienced. People we haven't seen in 10, 20 years, people we have never seen, and people we see virtually every day joined in what turned into a fete of Quinn and her wonderfull life.
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the NYPD Emerald Society played! photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
Our support system, well represented by the almost 500 people standing with us on Saturday, is the how.
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my uber cool family <3 |
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some of my fabulous aunts and uncles photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
There are so many people to thank that I would wind up clogging up the interwebz so I will thank the general 478 people in attendance, the 144 who made online donations and the hoards of others who helped out, who donated, who sent notes and prayers and good thoughts for the day.
And most importantly, thank you to my AMAZING siblings Ricky, Brian, John and Mary; my awesome best friend Amanda and our incredible "neighbors" (no longer the right word for these ladies!) Candace, Lauren and Michelle.
They have refilled our reserves of strength and just in the nick of time. It's how we got through today's surgeries and I know it's how we'll manage to get through what lies ahead.
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me and Brett, listening to one of the many heartwarming speeches of the day photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
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Brett and I even managed to get through a few words at the end of the night photo credit: Angela Marshall Photography |
The list item "Love" will always remain on the To Do list - no such thing as finite completion of that - but this day was Love exemplified.
Love. Check!
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INCREDIBLE drawing of Quinn, done by one of my oldest friends - Jen of A Mother's Touch Photography (original image by Shira Z Photography) |
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defining photo of the day <3 (thank you to Lily Flanagan's for a perfect venue!) |