Broadly, I’d like to express my abundant gratitude for all that has been done for my family:
From your positive thoughts to your time spent on ‘tasks’ for me, from dinners cooked and brought to the hospital or my house to sponsoring and/or playing in the golf tournament, from calling or emailing me to check on me to the gifts you’ve given us for Morgan, from flying-in from out-of-state or out-of-country to helping me ‘field’ all of the calls those first few weeks, from coming and showing me your familiar face in the waiting rooms to being there during the first few horrifying nights of wondering if we’d lose Wayne, from sending money to sending positive energy, from a smile you brought to my day to a tear you’ve brought to my eye, from holding Morgan while I went in and visited and sat with Wayne to building new hand-railings for him to hold onto while going up our front stairs, from praising me for being strong to sharing common stories of a stroke survivor, from cleaning my house to helping me decorate Wayne’s hospital walls, from listening to me babble on the phone to understanding when I am not in a talkative mood.

And the list goes on-and-on…
I will never know what all has gone on “behind the scenes”, but what I do know is what I’ve seen everyday since April 1st and that is the support that I have been given to allow me to be there for Wayne everyday, for hours-at-end, and relish in his daily progress. The “safety net” I have discovered beneath me through all of this has been absolutely, undoubtedly spectacular! Thank you to each of you for being a rope in that safety net; together, you all have created a strong network from which I can draw upon and a net that I can fall into when I need to. With that safety net beneath me, I have been empowered to be the caregiver, wife, and mother that I need to be right now.
In my lifetime, I am not sure I will ever be able to accurately express my gratitude for what you have each done for me and collectively what you have given to my family. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Specifically, I’d like to thank the following individuals in no particular order (and as the Oscar recipients say, “My apologies for anyone or anything I’ve left out”): Thank you…

…my family: for coming out to Seattle straight away so I had my family here (and for coming back, mom).

…Mum, Pop, Carleen, & Craig (Wayne’s mum, stepdad, sister, and older brother): for coming over from NZ straight away to be here with Wayne, Morgan, and I; for helping me realize that I am the right person to be making decisions on Wayne’s behalf and that no one knows him better or is closer to him than I—great realization during this time; for the hugs and kisses and awesome support.

…my mom & dad (Merrill & Anita Ronning): for being my biggest fans, for being the wise mentors that you are, for supporting me and nurturing me in every decision I make.

…my sister (Beth), Ken (her husband), & my niece Elsa: for being here that first week and bringing such a strong, supportive, successful feeling to my life as well as lots of hugs and smiles.

…Marsh (Wayne’s younger brother): for coming out while Wayne was in rehab and showing him your love, support, and encouragement; for helping out with Morgan.
…Ted: for coming out while Wayne was in rehab and supporting him and sharing in our life.

…Dave & Kris Hunt: for EVERYTHING!!!—managing my finances for a bit; fielding my calls; being there for Wayne when he’s needed a calm, supportive spirit; setting-up the website; all you did with the golf tournament; etc, etc, etc.

…Danyelle: for being something close to my ‘personal assistant’ these last few months—getting new clothes and shoes (just a few pairs) for Wayne’s rehab therapy stay, for the yard work, the airport runs, taking the trash out, mowing the lawn, washing Tucker, being my sounding board, washing my floors, doing my dishes, being my “oh-my-gosh-I’m-stressing-out” call.

…the George & Dragon Pub: for being the place that Wayne and I met playing pool on May 6th, 1999; for the DJ Night, the awesome support, the positive thoughts that you are sending our way, etc.

…the Kangaroo & Kiwi Pub: for the auction, the amazing support, the love you’ve brought our way, etc.

…all of the golf sponsors (personal and corporate): for such a great turn-out and fun day.

…all of the golf players: for the support you give and the fun that you had.

…the Northwest Hospital staff: for assessing and treating my husband so quickly and accurately, for dissipating the blood clot within the required 6 hour window, for everything you did in those first 24 hours to save my husband’s life.

…the HMC staff (Harborview Medical Center): for assessing and treating my husband so quickly and accurately, for sitting down and talking with me about the craniotomy procedure and helping me understand my husband’s chances, for having patience with me and my family while we asked questions and requested things on Wayne’s behalf, for helping me through the most difficult time in my life, for helping Wayne through the most difficult time in his life, for helping Wayne progress each and every day he was at HMC, for being as excited as I was when he made progress.

…Daisy: for being such a great friend, for the scarf, the contacts within the hospital and the books from the UW library.

…Rob: for doing airport runs, bringing humor and smiles to the waiting rooms, for being so “slap-bracelet”y.

…Robyn: for your support through babysitting, yard work, and airport runs.

…Albert & Stephanie: for your support, hugs, and dinner.

…the Ravenhills: for your support, tears, smiles, hugs, the use of your van.

…the Bayliss family: for your support and the girls’ rejuvenating spirit, for dinner and the construction donation offer.

…cooks: everyone who has made me and my visiting family a meal—Kath, Margretta &

Michael, Jodi, Dee, Alex, Shaney & Matt, Jenette, etc., etc., etc.

…Mike & Joan, Rita & Webby, Sheila & Brad—for the dog walking, for feeding the animals, for taking the trash out, for installing the hot water heater, for fixing my washing machine knob, for brining my bins back in.

…Shaney: for organizing the pedicure for Wayne and me in the hospital.

…Kimberley from Stylus: for doing the pedicures and manicures.

…Michael & Margretta: for getting the online calendar set-up and working.

…the Card family: for being such great neighbors; for your concern, caring, and your support; for the first dinner I received; and for the baby swing and the bungee cords.

…Lisa: for cleaning my house, for your support and hugs and smiles whenever I see you.

…Craig & Pauline: for coming back to Seattle and helping with getting Morgan, Wayne, and I settled now that he’s home.

…Kayla, Dylan, and Jayden: for bringing beams and beams of light and youthfulness to Wayne’s days, for wanting and helping to get Uncle Wayne reading, talking, and writing again.

…Gizelle: for being such an amazing boss and friend through all of this.

…Poniard team: for your support and for rallying around the three of us.

…Wayne: for being such a fighter and stubborn son-of-a-gun and fighting to stay alive those first 100 hours or so, and for pushing through now! Love you, sweetheart!

…Mum: for your support and encouragement over the phone after I’ve gotten home from the hospital.

…extended family: aunts, uncles, cousins, etc—thank you for calling, for sending cards, for the gifts and the positive thoughts and energy. (Ruth & Thom, Mary & Paul, Howard, Glen, Joyce & Chuck, Sandy & Kim, Amy,

…friends of friends: for lending your support, knowledge, expertise, and “anything” that I needed.

…Melanie Lewis: for giving Craig and his family a free place to stay and helping them feel settled and comfortable.

…Jamie Moore: for the beautiful necklace—I have worn it every day since I received it in the mail and I foresee handing it down to Morgan and letting her know that it was what got me through during certain times and days when her dad was fighting for his life and wellbeing: the necklace says “love faith passion hope trust belief bliss peace honor life joy”.

…Mark: for the donation of the hot water heater.

…to the “other” doctors, Dr. Penuelas, Dr. Falkenberg, and Dr. McDermott: for being supportive, caring, and concerned; and for listening and advising.

…Sue Ahrens: for being there the first three days while I was trying to figure out my finances and if I needed to sell, foreclose, or refinance.

…Summer Smith: for researching skilled nursing facilities for me.

…Steve & Muri: for doing ‘runs’ to my house to get more clothes and toiletries for me, my mom, and Morgan during the first three days.

…Roger O’Sullivan: for the idea of the golf tournament and all that you did regarding it.

…Jason McIlroy: for organizing the golf tournament and all that you did regarding it.