Aiden update.. Posted Pictures! Must end the Aiden thread. Aiden is doing excellent. THANK YOU COTH!!! (137) 1/23

[Eileen_Miller]

doo dads, silver and all!!!..Come on Aiden…I got a leadline class in May(and the next May, and the next, etc) waiting just for you, Kiddo…you can even ride my horse !! 'Course cant have the Haligator judging, but we’ll work on that

Time to trot Aiden…
“Suppose…and suppose that a wild little Horse of Magic
Came cantering out of the sky,
With a bridle of silver and into the saddle I mounted
To fly- and to fly.”
Walter De La Mare <how cool is that name?>
Lisa and Joey…hang strong and find strength in each other…and rest !! Aiden will need you to be in tip top shape !!

“If the world were truly a rational place. men would ride side saddle.” Rita Mae Brown

[wesierobb]

to ALL of you…the Hawk family, Knowonderwoman, the transplant team, the donor family…WE DID IT! I believe in miracles, for sure, but I also believe in the power of prayer and positive thinking…and feel certain that they have significant input in miracles.

Aiden’s wonderful second chance at a healthy life brings tears to my eyes too…especially from the perspective of a grandmother of a two year old boy who is dying from an untreatable genetic disease. It seems to magnify the importance of a baby’s life, and to put extra emphasis on the thought of being able to participate fully in it.

But, from the same perspective, I cannot say strongly enough how important a support team is, nor have I ever seen one to equal this. You people need to pat yourselves on the back, sign that donor card, and keep up the good thoughts and prayers. You have gotten Aidem this far, and I know you will get him the rest of the way.

Merry Christmas to all. Thanks be to God.

[ride3day]

Aiden you are an amazing child with an amazing family, including your extended COTH family. You have a full life to life, and you will live it!

Prayers and jingling here in So Cal for you!!!

Lisa and family: maintain strength, you cannot have come this far to not overcome. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[goobs]

Oh Lisa, Joey, that little tough fighter of yours; he will not give up, he just won’t. I am praying so hard right now. You keep those dreams alive because they will ALL come true. I can’t believe you had the strength to log on and give us an update - I am, again for the millionth time, speechless. Aiden is going to be A-Okay, I have no doubts at all about that. This is just a dip in the road. I will pray to God to give you strength and patience to see this all through. We are all pulling for him - YOU GO AIDEN!!! I am sure he can feel all the love from his mommy and daddy and the rest of his family as well as his COTH family enveloping him. He knows we are all here for him. XOXOXOXOXOXO

[haligator]

Dear Aiden,
In addition to bringing together so many equestrians of different disciplines, you have brought together people of many religions and beliefs. By doing so, you have accomplished more than all the politicians in the world.

Hang in there, buddy - we all love you. I offer a Buddhist prayer below for your healing. I have this gentle image of The Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mother Theresa, and all the saints holding you in their arms.

Fight on dear one, fight on!

Hallie

Buddhist Prayer

May all beings everywhere plagued
with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending
one another.

May those who find themselves in trackless,
fearful wilderness–
the children, the aged, the unprotected–
be guarded by beneficent celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

[Spot]

and what a super Christmas present for the whole Hawk family (and extended COTH family too!)

“Spot”

[Portia]

I was just telling my secretary Dawn about Aiden and the auctions, amusing her with the designations other than member that people have chosen, and she left my office and came back in with a check for Aiden’s fund at the ALF.

I said, “oh no, you don’t need to do that.”

And she said, “Yes I do. I’m a mom.”

[Horses4sport]

Oh my gosh, Lisa!!! That is just the best news ever!!! What a beautiful post. Love to you all, you amazing Hawk family.

Amy
Proudly owned by the delightful duo
Tyler and Nia!

[Parminch]

Merry Christmas Aiden Hawk!
Last night when I went to the children’s service at our church with all of my husband’s grandchildren and children… the minister called all of the children to the front, and asked them if they noticed anything strange about his manger. The children exclaimed…“there are TWO babies!” and then the minister went on to tell them a story about why there were two babies in the manger but I did not need to hear his story … I knew in my mind why there were two babies… and one of them is named Aiden!
Have a wonderful day together!

[Kryswyn]

(w/ apologies to Paul Simon )

Lisa, Joey, Aiden -

My heart is filled with love for you all and joy in knowing that the miracle of Chistmas has happened for Aiden. To know that ‘our’ special boy will have two ‘birthdays’ whatever road he chooses later in life brings a fresh round of tears to my eyes. Yet within the joy, a deep sadness for the family we don’t know who grieves tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, too.

As always, you amaze me

PS If we do a movie, I want Rosie O’donnell to play me!

~Kryswyn~
“Always look on the bright side of life, de doo, de doo de doo de doo”

[Spot]

Lisa - I too was sitting and crying reading your message(s).
This has truly made the meaning of Christmas cystal clear to all of us.
It is not buying the fancy gifts for each other, but spending the time with family members and enjoying each others company.
It is doing the selfless acts for others, it is reflecting, and making yourself a better person.

It is taking true pleasure in hearing about the miracles that have happened around you and knowing that you were able to share, even in a little way, in that miracle that unfolded.

It is no co-incidence that Aiden received his liver in time for Christmas. It was simply meant to be. Perhaps to illustrate to a lot of us that miracles DO happen and if you believe in something hard enough and focus on that goal, it will happen.

Lisa - this will be the best Christmas for you and Joey and Aiden. The Christmas that brought your miracle home to you. The beginning of many many more Christmas’ to come.

The Christmas that made us all believe that miracles can, and do - happen …

“Spot”

[caffeinated]

Go Aiden go!!!

Oh this is so exciting… I’ve got all my digits crossed, my toes crossed, and both my pelham chains jingling constantly. And I’ll wear my rythym beads today when I ride, too. WOOHOOOO!!!

and people say gov’t employees are useless… HA!

[agedbayhunter]

What a handsome little guy – even with the sweet potatoes all over his face! What does the pillow hanging behind him say? I can see that there’s something embroidered on it, but I can’t read it.

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

I can’t believe how GOOD you look post-surgery… where do you find the strength to hold yourself together? I’m amazed…

Thanks for sharing these great pictures.

---

Approved helmet: Every ride; every time.

[Badger]

Wonderful to read that the surgery is over and Aiden has a NEW LIVER!!!

Hugs to everyone who has been jangling curbs through the day, the week, the months for the Hawks and Aiden. What a tremendous day.

Don’t take life so seriously…it’s not permanent.

[Linny]

It’s so nice to see all the toys around his bed. It’s such a big bed andhe’s such a little dude. He looks great and is obviously getting nutrition (at least his PINK cheeks are!)

Resident racing historian

[LoriO]

Oh RAR, that poem is my favorite and so fitting.

Lisa, hang in there, we are all always thinking of you and your family and wonderful Aiden Lionheart!!!

I was looking thorugh a book of horse quotes and found this wonderful Shakespeare quote, how fitting the mixture of horses and Hawks…:

“I will not change my horse with any that treads but on four pasterns… When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk. He trots the air, the earth sings when he touchs it, the barest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes.”
W. Shakespeare

All gave some…And some gave all…God bless the USA

[knowonder]

To all–I know how hard it is to wait on updates–I am going to list my email and my cell below–as it requires Lisa to leave Aiden to answer or return calls–if you can, route your calls or emails to me to check up on Aiden. I know Lisa wants to talk to all of you but it’s hard to do that while he’s still in PICU–it will be much easier once he’s moved to a regular room (maybe by Christmas!)

tackpud–I’ll be happy to call you to update or feel free to call me anytime–and that offer goes to one and all!

email smason@workgroup.net
cell 865-388-8165

Proud Member of Wood Hill Farm who’s motto is “I’m not going sober!”

[FlightCheck]

I am leaving for 2 days, and so will be holding you all in my hearts as I (hopefully!) “kick on” and get over all those fences!!

FlightCheck
~packing up 6 horses and 8 riders to go to a clinic~

[Tap2Tango]

Come on Aiden! I’m still jingling! Hang in there Lisa and Joey! Have a Happy New Year!
~Steph

Tapestry 2000 Dutch WB mare by Contango
Desperado 1998 Dutch/TB gelding by Glendale
Blazin’ Magic 2000 Welsh/TB gelding by Hollering Hills Little Prince