Happy Birthday Bridger!

Dear Bridger,

Although you aren't here to celebrate this day with us, it is still a day to celebrate. The day you were born was a wonderful day. You brought so much happiness to your Mom and Dad (and the rest of the family). You were their dream come true. You had a tough life, filled with more trials and battles than anyone should ever have to face. Through it all you smiled and laughed. You showed the rest of the world a great strength that most of us could never even begin to imagine. You touched the lives of so many; your parents, your family, people that didn't even know you, and especially your cousins. You truly are our "Heart Hero"!

So, Bridger, today we celebrate. We celebrate the great day you were born. We celebrate the life you had, even though to us it seemed too short. We celebrate the great joy you brought to the world. We celebrate you!

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Man! We love you!

Love always,

Aunt Maura

Good Bye, Sweet Bridger

After a valiant 11 month and 4 day fight, sweet little Bridger has returned home. We will miss you so much Little Man!!

Daddy please don't look so sad, Momma please don't cry.

Cause I'm in the arms of Jesus, and He sings me lullabies.

Please try not to question God, don't think He is unkind.

Don't think He sent me to you, only to change His mind.

You see I'm a special child, I am needed up above.

I'm the special gift you gave Him, a product of your love.

I'll always be there with you, so watch the sky at night.

Look for the brightest star, and know that's my halo's brilliant light.

You'll see me in the morning frost that mists your window pane.

That's me in the summer showers, I'll be dancing in the rain.

When you feel a gentle breeze from a gentle wind that blows,

Know that it is me planting a kiss upon your nose.

When you see a child playing and your heart feels a tug,

Don't be sad Mommy, that's just me giving your heart a hug.

So Daddy please don't look so sad, Momma please don't cry.

I'm in the arms of Jesus, and He sings me lullabies.

From Bridger's Nana

Cristy, Bridger's Nana, left a very nice comment under the last post. I don't know if everyone reads the comments people leave, and I want to make sure everyone does read it, so I am posting it here for everyone to see. Cristy, I hope you don't mind! : )



I would just like to tell everyone who helped contribute to Bridger's cranes, Thank you. It was an honor for me to be able to work with them. I want all of you to know that I learned something from being able to do this. I believe, it is not the number of cranes that can make the wishes come true, but instead, it is the love, and hope, that was put into each crane that was folded. I could feel that as I was able to handle each crane before I mounted it onto the mat board. Each person who helped, donated their time and talents to wish Bridger better. That is very powerful. Thanks to each of you for loving our sweet baby, and for sending that love with your cranes!
Love,
Cristy

Some new pictures!

Cranes hanging in box frames

Close up of hanging cranes

Staci really wanted to be able to save all of Bridger's cranes. Because of Bridger's fragile immune system, and not wanting to risk exposing him to any germs, she chose to have the cranes framed. This way she can keep them forever.

Cristy, Bridger's Nana, has worked many hours trying to figure out the best way to frame the cranes while still preserving them in their intended shape. She came up with a couple of different ways. First is like the pictures above. By stringing them and putting them in the box frame it allowed her to keep the cranes in their shape without having to flatten them. The second is a larger frame with the cranes slightly flattened and pinned to the back of the frame. This way Cristy was able to put many, many more cranes into the one huge frame. When I get a picture of this other frame I will post it as well. There are cranes from every single person that made them in the frames. All 1000 of them.

Thank you again for all of your continued support. A special thank you to Bridger's Nana for all of your hard work putting the frames together! I will post more pictures as soon as I get them.

A quick update...

We have reached, and exceeded, our goal of 1000 paper cranes! Thank you very much to everyone who contributed. Whether you made one crane, or 200 cranes, they are all very much appreciated.

Since Bridger is currently home from the hospital, his Nana is working very hard to get all of his cranes put together so Staci can have them in his room at home. Once they are finished, I will post new pictures.

Thank you again for all your help!

Bridger's Wristbands Now Available!!

"Bridger's Heart Heroes"

We are now offering wristbands to show support for Bridger. They are red and say "Bridger's Heart Heroes". The wristbands are $5 , and all proceeds will go directly to Danny and Staci to help with Bridger's expenses. Right now we are accepting cash or checks. Please make checks payable to Danny or Staci Smith. If you would like to be one of "Bridger's Heart Heroes", please contact me at 801-633-8817 or email me at jomakamcki@digis.net and I will get one sent out to you. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of Danny, Staci and Bridger!!

From the Eskelson Family

Ever wonder what 200 cranes looks like? Here you go!!

Thank you so much to Yvonne Eskelson, her daughter Jessi and her daughter-in-law Christa for making so many beautiful cranes to add to Bridger's growing collection. They are appreciated greatly!