Meetings were held and people jumped on ship to help. People I hadn't seen in a long time and some of them I hadn't seen since I graduated High School. It didn't matter though because we were all there for one thing and that was to honor Gretchen and do right by her son. Gretchen made the ultimate sacrifice for her son and we were going to do whatever it took to honor the person she was. Ideas were flowing, responsibilities were taken and piece by piece, the vision came to life. Time was of the essence and we didn't have much of it. Less than three months to pull off something we wanted to be spectacular. Yet, the team and yes we were a team, banded together. Calls were made, donations began to come in, teams were formed and raffle prizes started to come together. Before we knew it, Gretchen's Day was upon us.
Surely it was a tough week leading up to the event. Stress levels were high, bumps were in the road and yet we forged ahead and kept our grip on what was important, Andrew and honoring Gretchen. Saturday was upon us. The alarm went off at 5:00 AM and I awoke to down pours. For the love of God, really? I never even once thought that rain would be an issue. Mostly because I was too caught up in everything that needed to get done and because there is no way it would rain on our parade. It rained. The decision was made to utilize the rain date and as I sat back that day taking a much needed rest from the events of my week, I realized that it was Gretchen's doing. Everyone had been running ragged all week. We needed rest. A day to catch our breath and get a grip. A day to regroup and that is just what we did. She knew what she was doing. She had our backs.
Sunday I awoke to the most beautiful day. It was a bright, sunny, cool morning. This was it. It was going down and we were going to do everything in our power to make sure it was a success. I went into autopilot. I had no idea what on earth I was doing but I didn't care. I was going to do it and it was going to be good. Phone calls to Alyson and Shannon. Ice? Sure I can get ice. I'm just going to swing by CVS and grab the Sharpies for the balloons. Before I knew it we were on the field. Tables were set up and pictures were hung. If there is ever a picture of what Gretchen will always be to me, it is that high school one. It makes me laugh and feel good all at the same time. People started coming in. Helpers showed up. Our Team had it going on. DJ set up. Signage hung. You name it, it was getting done. Everyone was doing whatever they could do get it done.
Perhaps the most special moment of the day was when I got to meet little Andrew. You all know I am a baby hog to begin with but for some reason, for me, holding Andrew and meeting him was a piece of closure for me if that makes sense. I had all intentions of meeting Andrew before Gretchen left us. We had chatted on Facebook and I was coming up to see her when she was well enough. Shannon and I were going to go up and take pictures of Gretchen and Andrew and we were going to bring along a bucket of KFC. (She had giggled about that) I was going to bring her up Cameron's clothes to use for Andrew. I never got that opportunity. I will always have a pit in my stomach because of this. I am so angry that we didn't get to take those pictures. I know that there are plenty of pictures of Andrew and Gretchen, but this is what I do. This is the way I know how to give back. This was a memory I wanted Gretchen to have and a solid object for Andrew to hold on to when he was old enough to do so. It didn't happen. As I approached baby Andrew, Gretchen's family all welcomed me with smiles on their faces. So welcoming and so thankful for what we were doing. Chris offered Andrew for me to hold. I don't even know what to say to him, but I hope he knows how very much this moment meant to me and how honored I was that he let me hold him. Holding Andrew gave me peace and closure. I felt like it was Gretchen's way of saying it was okay I didn't get to see her again.
What I experienced this day was like nothing I have ever experienced before. An entire community banding together. Businesses, locals, families and friends all coming together to do good. To do right. There were people at the event that did not even know Gretchen, but they would not pass up the opportunity to do right by her out of sheer respect. People can say whatever they want about Smithfield. People can say whatever they want about our community but I'll tell you what. I am so very proud to be a part of Smithfield. I am honored to be a resident and I am thrilled to be surrounded by good, loving, caring people. I will always back my small town and I will always be grateful for the people who are a part of this community because they are like no other. With so much bad in the world, there is also so much good and I intend to relish in that.
The games were a hit and so many people kept coming up to me to tell me how much fun they were having. The BBQ was perfect and the food was fantastic. The raffle was a huge success! Everything went off without a hitch and as we released the white balloons to heaven, I couldn't help but feel Gretchen's presence around us. I can't help to think that she was beaming at the way everyone had come together, for her, for Andrew. In fact, I know she was...
Now comes the task in thanking everyone. I am going to try my very best to not leave out a single soul because it is really important for me that people know how much I appreciate them and what they did. If I do inadvertently leave someone out, PLEASE add them to the comment section below. I truly want to cover all the bases so just add them in and I will apologize in advance if I should forget about someone!
Here goes...
Thank you Shannon for having the vision. Thank you for wanting to give back and realizing how precious life is. Thank you for all the flyers and logos and signage. You truly are talented. Thank you Alyson, for bringing the vision to life. For taking charge and being so caring. For giving so much of yourself. Stacey, thank you for being on your feet for an entire day cooking your fanny off. Thank you to Beth as well. I know what a long day that was and I appreciate it. Thank you Mrs. T. for putting all the raffle prizes together and adding all of your special touches. Thank you Melissa SCETTA (lol) for working so diligently on getting so many raffle prizes and the getting the water donated. Thank you to Kevin for being our grill man along with the Sullivans and Sandy. Thank you Melissa Smith and Henry for all the great ideas and the autographed football. As you can see, it went to a great home! Thank you to all the local business, Tony's Pizza Palace for donating pizzas and a gift certificate to the event. To John Huyler and Swing Juice for coming through and John for all your help in the days leading up to the event. Erin Zompa, Lisa Delsesto, The Lawrence Agency, Cha Cha Louise, Outdoor Decor. Thank you Renee Coutu for the beautiful gift basket. Thank you Duchess Designs. Thank you to Cara and Nicole for stepping in on the day and getting things done. Thank you to all of the SHS alumni who donated to this worthy cause. Thank you Madison, Garret and Olivia. Thank you to all the players and teams. Thank you Jenn Aceto Carofel for manning the registration table. Thank you Chris L'Europa for DJing the entire day and just offering yourself for that day. Thank you to the Corporate Sponsors and Home Run Derby Sponsors. Thank you to the parents who just showed up to support their kids doing something good. Thank you to the wee ones who handled the day like rock stars. Thank you Jen, Jenny and Ana for looking out for the babies so we could make the event successful. Thank you to Amy Furia. Thank you Leanne and Dan for being a part of the day even without knowing Gretchen. Thank you Rome Packing for purchasing the food for the BBQ and thank you Adam for being a support for us during our first meeting. Thank you KFC for the coleslaw. Thank you Valerie Thomas Trainer for singing an awesome National Anthem. Thank you Sandy for being my sidekick! Thank you Scot Nassa for your donation of water and bars! Thank you Jay Spinard for being a huge supporter and to the Boston Team who inspires us all to do good in this world. Thank you to the people who couldnt attend but routed us on in their hearts. THANK YOU DAY FAMILY, for allowing us to stand by your side and do right in this world. For being so welcoming, helpful and thankful. Thank you Chris, for allowing us to be a part of Andrew's life. You truly are a special family and I can only hope we keep in touch and plan next year, bigger and better! Lastly, thank you Gretchen, for letting us into your life while you were here on this earth and for watching over us while you now live above. You have inspired us all to be better people. I am humbled. All my love. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
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