Believing in Miracles

Sixteen years ago when my husband Guy retired we moved to Montana and he jumped in with both feet. He got involved with community activities and became very active in Big Brother Big Sisters. Life was very full and rewarding; we had a wonderful family, great friends, health, and a great home and felt truly blessed. He always did 'pay it forward'... but several years ago when he became ill he had to give up a lot of activities including being a Big Brother. For a while we concentrated on his wellness and then one day a few years ago a dear friend who was on the board of' Intermountain' asked me to keep her company during the ride to a meeting in Helena. While she was in the board meeting she had arranged a tour of the home for me and that was the day that truly changed our life. I came home and told Guy about what I had seen and told him I had finally found an astounding organization that I wanted to be involved in. He was most encouraging and helpful.

That December Guy and I went to Helena for their annual Festival of the Trees and he had his first tour and met some of some of the amazing people that work there. He witnessed their tireless devotion to the children. Guy was raised in an orphanage and instantly understood the magnitude of what they accomplish there. He was still a business man at heart and when he researched where our dollars would go he was totally impressed. That summer a group of us from Bigfork went to Helena and participated in the instillation of the new playground and what a joyful experience that was. We were hooked...

The more we became involved, the more involved we became. Instead of contributing a little here and a little there to different organizations we decided to focus our available resources on 'Intermountain'. We consulted with our financial adviser and attorney and changed our wills to include 'Intermountain' in our estate planning.

Of course we had shared our passion with our family and friends and a couple of years ago we decided to eliminate Christmas gifts. Most of us don't need more stuff anyway and instead of giving gifts we made donations in their names to 'Intermountain'. The grateful responses we received convinced us this was a new tradition.

Guy and I agreed that what was being done at 'Intermountain' was the most important work we had ever witnessed and we were very proud to be a part of it. They literally are saving lives. Guy passed away last year and I happily continue with his enthusiasm in supporting this miracle we felt so honored to be a part of. I know you all know about 'Intermountain' but the realization of the impact your dollars are making on these children will truly come alive after a tour of the home. I urge you to visit the home and take the tour. I know it will change your life as it did ours.

They say Einstein once said "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though NOTHING is a miracle and the other is as though EVERYTHING is a miracle."

I believe in the OTHER... A child is a miracle and so is 'Intermountain'....