Dear Henry

I have a lot to tell you. I didn't have Internet access at home for a while but now it is fixed. I need to tell you about Thanksgiving at the beach and a bunch of ther things.

Tonight is Hannukah and Saturday is the day you died and your Yarzheit is on my birthday. This isn't my favorite time of year.

Mom forwarded this today.

-----Original Message-----
From: JANET ZIEGLER [mailto:JZIEGLE1@FAIRVIEW.ORG]
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 10:45 AM
To: Strongin, Laurie
Subject: Re: Gift Delivery from Hope for Henry Foundation

Nov. 30, 2004

Dear Laurie,

I just wanted to thank you so very much for your incredible generosity to the children here. I'm so impressed by and appreciative of the thoughtfulness, energy and determination that you've brought to this amazing project. Your efforts will have a positive impact on so many people: the children, their families, the staff and then hopefully each of those people will learn from your good works and do the same. I'm so touched by your willingness to share a little bit of Henry by bringing these joyful gifts to other people who you don't even know.

I had the pleasure of seeing Henry periodically in the clinic or hospital while you were here. What a little imp in that batman costume. I don't know if you remember me but I did meet you briefly a few times in Stacy's absence. In particular I remember checking in with you on the day that Henry died. I remember you so very clearly talking about what an incredible gift Henry had been to you and how glad that you were to have every minute you had to be his mom. (I remember you were saying some of this in response to someone else in the room who in an effort to comfort you was commenting on how it must be a relief to be done w/ all of the doctor appointments and to be able to do other things finally.)I've always remembered how well you were able to articulate that you didn't resent those times but instead appreciated the intensity of the intimacy that you had with Henry in part because of his illness and treatment (not that you at all were glad that he'd been ill). It was clear then and now that you loved that little boy very much and were a wonderful mom to him.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you directly for all that you are doing and to let you know that you and your family have already touched the lives of many people in ways that you may not even know. Stacy and Jen (the Child & Family Life Specialist) will continue to be your primary contact regarding the project but they have been consistent in updating the rest of us about the project. Please, let your donors know how very much we appreciate all of their time, efforts and generosity. We never forget any of the children or families who have been here and we do talk about you and remember Henry.

Sincerely,

Janet D. Ziegler, MSW, LICSW
Clinical Social Worker
Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program
Fairview University Medical Center