Thursday, November 27, 2008

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving from Charlie in St. George. We are thankful for many things this year, but mostly that Charlie is still here, still strong, and taking Charlie steps. A pal put this video together to help Charlie give a talk in church, and we thought thanksgiving was a good time for us to share it. We also want to thank all of you for your friendship and everything else the past year. We are thankful you are in our lives.

38 comments:

Paige said...

That was very sweet. We are so happy to have Charlie here! We love him so much

Anonymous said...

And we are thankful that you allow us to be in your lives...

TravandNat said...

What a great video! We are glad Charlie is here too! Thanks for sharing your inspirational story with everyone! We love you guys!

linds said...

thank you for sharing! we love you charlie and we are so gratful for everything you have taught us. keep taking charlie steps!

Unknown said...

Wow what an AWESOME video. It was fun to see Roxann in the video. She does wonders with our babies. He looks like he is doing well. The family photo picture just captured my heart. You guys look awesome. Angel I admire you so, much! Keep taking Charlie steps little man.

Tamara
Bountiful Family

Katie Jo said...

Oh wow! Thanks for posting that video!! I cried through the whole thing!! How amazing is your son?!!!

pirate ride said...

Wow! That was so wonderful! He is so sweet! Thank you for sharing this. I Hope you have a very Happy Holiday Season with your sweet family. Always in our prayers, Love ya

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh - I am crying over that breathtaking video. What a journey your family has been on and that music was absolutely beautiful and perfect. Who was it?

I have to be honest, Charlie is simply always in my prayers - especially when I rock my little Tommy at night (who bears a serious likeness to Charlie and is around the same age). I have faith that Charlie will continue making Charlie steps...and I pray for your family's continued strength. You are doing an amazing job.

You never ask for anything - is there anything you need? Please post if there is anything you could use this holiday season...simply more donations? There is a wide community wanting to help I'm sure...

Thank you for posting that video this holiday season and update us more when you can.

Love -

Leane and family (Duzy's friend)

Anonymous said...

Words do not seem adequate to express the sweet feeling I have as I watched the video! Charlie is a hero to many and so are all of his strong family. Thank you for blessing the lives of so many of us and allowing us to share in the blessings of Charlie Steps. My prayers continue for each one of you. you are such an example to me and many others. thank you for sharing such a special video!
Connie

Kristin said...

All I had to see was his first picture and hear the first couple notes to know I was going to ball. I'm grateful to have you in our lives and SO grateful Charlie is still here!

Kristin said...

Wow! So I first commented before I saw the whole thing, but now that I have I have more to say.

That was amazing! I'm so glad there are people in your lives to do things like that. My heart aches for all you've had to go through and have yet to go through. I know you've grown and learned a lot, but that doesn't erase the pain. You are amazing people. Your strength is inspiring. Thank you for sharing Charlie with us.

Vanderlinden Clan said...

What a touching video! and what a journey! Charlie is still and will always be such an inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing him and his story with all of us.

Jolene said...

Amen. Isn't that what you say after a spiritual testimony that strengths and sustains you. Well that is what I'm feeling. Ang - you amaze me - I know it's been said over and over, and I know you have your weak moments, but your strength is an example of the strength we can all receive through Jesus Christ. May he continue to walk with you and my sweet nephew Rpb. I love you all.

Jolene said...

whoops - sweet nephew - Rob. My eyes are bad, especially with the tears in them.

Anonymous said...

We love, admire, and pray for your family all the time. Thank you for sharing the wonderful video. Charlie is amazing!

Ginny said...

Hey "pal," I never did tell you what an amazing job you did on that video after Charlie (and a couple of his close relations) did such a great job on that talk. It was awesome (quite literally) to watch it again.
To Charlie's "close relations" referenced above, thanks for sharing the video again and for continuing to share Charlie. We all think he is pretty cool...and his family isn't half-bad either. :-)

Amy said...

There couldn't have been a dry eye in your sacrament meeting. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Eleyna Julia said...

One of my favorite scriptures is D&C 58:3-4:

“Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

“For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.”

I look forward to that day for Charlie, and for my Hunter. I hope your family has a wonderful holiday season!

Suz said...

Thank you for that scripture. I love it!

Anonymous said...

I also look forward to that day for the parents who love and care for these blessed spirits!! May God bless you all who fit in that category.

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU for sharing your family with us, and for reminding me that Charlie Steps are, nonetheless, steps! It has helped me more than you know. Love to all of you.

Anonymous said...

WOW, that is just so awesome. Thank you for sharing your family.

Anonymous said...

I have been following Charlies steps from the beginning. What a handsome little man you have. Your family has been so blessed having this little guy. May you be continually blessed. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. God Bless you always.

Forbes Clan of Six said...

What an amazing and spiritual video. Thank you for sharing. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Megan and Alyvia said...

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. We think of Charlie every single day. He has touched so many. We love you Charlie!!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing journey. Your strengthen is very admirable and I only hope that I can take some of the heroism I have seen and apply it to my own life. Your family is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.

Meghan said...

i still cry every time i see it. so much has happened in 10 months. can you believe it - 10 months? i have tried a thousand times to put myself in your shoes... and i'm sure i would do it - but not well. not like the two of you. you - both of you really do (insert the right word here...amaze, impress, surprise, teach, inspire) me non-stop. i am thankful you are in our lives. and grateful that charlie is too.

jaegerfamily said...

What an amazing little boy!!! His big brother just looks at him with such sweetness. You guys really are amazing. I hope to have your faith one day.

Love
Jaeger Family

finnish mama said...

i have been following charlies blog from the beginning. i work at wxhs with your friend brent in the medically fragile special ed classroom. charlie is sooooo beautiful and so blessed to have parents like you. i have a nephew who is 27 and "gives" talks like this one in church. may your family be blessed and loved in all things you will still experience.

Jenn said...

I know you do not remember me. I was in your ward in WX. I never got the oppurtunity to really know you, but I want you to know that I am sorry for Charlie. Kellie K. told me all about it, and we both we sad. Charlie is a blessing. And totally unrelated, but I have wanted to say it for a while. When Rob spoke on Fathers day(???), it left such an impression on me. When you thanked your mother, and talked about how hard she worked for all of you, it was touching. She was my 6th grade teacher, and she was my favorite. You gave me a new perspective for fathers and their importance, so thankyou. Charlie is in my thoughts and makes me want to be better. You were in the ward (I think) when I lost my son to cancer, and children who endure trials are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope I do not come off random or weird!

Merianne said...

That was such a touching video, thanks for sharing it. I have learned so much from you guys as I've watched what you've gone through. You're truly an inspiration to me.

whit said...

So perfect. I loved the new family pictures, Britt is an angel with the best smile and Charlie is an angel with his cute cheeks, eyes, chin, belly...
Love you all.

Johnson said...

Thank you so much for sharing that with us. We continue to check in on Charlie and your family and we pray for continued blessings and and recovery for your little family. Thanks for being such an awesome example to our little family........Go cougars!!!

Allison said...

That was so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your sweet family with us. Merry Christmas! And I hope the new year brings many new Charlie Steps.

Trish and John said...

What more can I say. When John and I watched this on Thanksgiving I sobbed like a baby. I was too emotional at the time to post and sad for Coop that he doesn't get to express that beautiful smile and giggle with bright eyes as he did in the past. I hurt for him and for his struggles and wish that I could take some of the burden from him. Anyhow, I have watched this incredible video numerous times now and shared it with many friends (cried each time as I am now.) I am so blessed to be part of such an amazingly perfect family and have faith that Coop one day will shine with a brightness none of us have ever known. Love you all...

Angie said...

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful video of your family! I had to grab the tissues! I don't know you at all, but I am so touched and inspired by your story!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing video.Still thinking of you all.Hug Charlie and Britt.Love, Shyla

Anonymous said...

Would love to have seen the video.. my link didn't work. I have read all the comments and know it must have been very inspriational. You are loved and that is what is the most important. Bless you, Jill B