What would you do with 3 more hours of life?

Hi all, please accept my apologies if you've gotten an email about this and are now reading it on the blog. If you haven't gotten an email please keep reading then feel free to forward this on!!

My question is this.... What would you do with 3 more hours of life? Let me share with ya a story about a friend of mine. PLEASE take just a few minutes to read ALL of this email, PLEASE!!!

Laura Maple, a single mom of three children was involved in a very serious car accident on November 19th. She was going to town to pick up food to feed the girls basketball team that evening. Laura had a passenger in the car that walked away with minor injuries however Laura was not that fortunate. She suffered severe brain trauma and multiple injuries to her hips, pelvis and legs. She is currently in Carthage Health and Rehab awaiting possible surgery to her pelvis. This will enable her to begin physical therapy which is very much needed to stimulate her brain and reduce the swelling. Laura's outcome is uncertain. The family has been told that the swelling may last from months to years and until the swelling reduces there is no way of knowing what will become of Laura. Laura's children, ages 13, 12 and 7 and her family have tried many times just after the accident to come to terms with letting Laura go. However each time they prepared themselves Laura would do something that the doctors said she shouldn't be able to do. She would squeeze one of her children's hands, she'd open her eyes, something to give the family a sign of hope and to tell them to wait. She was going to fight this! They've asked themselves over and over why they should have to be God and determine Laura's fate.

Laura is currently in a semi-coma state. She is moving her hands and arms, opening her eyes and within the past few days has begun to move her mouth like she is talking. Friends and family KNOW without a doubt that Laura is in there. She tenses up when her trach is being talked about. She calms when her kids come in the room. Her littlest, Roxeann can get mom to do all kinds of things, but trust me she's not gentle with her! She marches in the room talking to mom, forcing open her eyes by lifting her lids and holding her hand. Just what Laura would want her to do!!

Laura's mother has moved here from Texas to care for the children and keep them together. She is constantly at the side of Laura, dropping the kids at school, spending her days talking and caring for Laura and back to get the kids to take them to see mom. Laura's sister and "Grandma" Pat have also been helping with the care of the children, taking both of them from their homes and jobs as well. I don't even know how to explain what this accident means to the children. Not only have they lost their mother as they knew her, they face the very real possibility that the two older children will be moving to Texas with their father taking them from their home, their friends, their schools and their little sister. To try to tell you how close this family is would be very difficult. Chris was his mom's protector. Brittany, well she's just Brittany!!! Roxeann her mom's baby and light of Laura's life. Laura's home is filled with photos of her children and I don't mean just on the walls!! She has photos on her cabinets too!!. Her children were her life!! She lived and is still living for them!!

Now that you know the background, let me tell you what Laura would do with 3 more hours! She would without a doubt be spending it with her children, probably at one of the many ball games Chris or Brittany play. She might be at a cheer competition cheering Roxanne on, helping the other mom's curl hair and pamper the girls. She would be getting all the party favors, treats and gifts ready for the Valentine's parties on Thursday. She would have her doors open so that the neighborhood kids could come in, watch a game, play and eat. She would be helping a friend in need. She would be available to help curl and doll up the little girls at a Princess party. She would be feeding the basketball team. She would be loving her family and friends. She would be..... Laura!!

Now I'm asking for just 3 hours of your time!! Won't you PLEASE join us on February 10th at East Newton High School, Granby MO. We will be having a chili feed from noon to 3pm. Gospel sing by Cannon Bound, bake sale and a HUGE silent auction! We have over 150 items for the silent auction and let me just say they are AMAZING items!!! I can't even begin to name all of the items, something for everyone and then some!! It would be a great time to get all those Valentine's Day gifts for your sweethearts and help someone at the same time. All donations will be given to Laura's family to help with travel and household expenses.

Can't attend, you can still help! Please send this to your friends, family, co-workers! Pass the word along and then do what Laura would want you to do, spend time with your children!!

Thanks and enjoy your 3 hours!!

Shannon McDermottK.I.S.S. Crop-n-Shop Scrapbook Events"The four states largest crop and shop event" www.kisscropnshop.comwww.kisscropnshop.blogspot.com