I FEEL THE LOVE PROJECT
I Feel the Love Project
One Year Anniversary
One Year Anniversary
Project #7
Today we continue our journey back to the beginning by looking back at our recipient for the month of January 2012.
Today we continue our journey back to the beginning by looking back at our recipient for the month of January 2012.
8/2/2011 - 12/21/2011
Olivia's grandmother told us, "Olivia Cappelluti was born on Aug. 2, 2011 to parents, Jon and Loreto Lara Cappelluti. She was a twin, weighing only 2.2 lbs at birth, and, as a result of unusual developmental patterns, had both heart and lung defects. Her life expectancy was two weeks. Defying the odds, Olivia not only lived, she thrived, remaining in the hospital, gaining weight and preparing herself for open-heart surgery. Two months later, the first surgery was performed and afterwards, this spunky 2-month old was able to be disconnected from all life-support tubes and took nourishment for the first time by mouth!
On Monday, Dec. 19th, at 4 ½ months old, Olivia was taken in for her second open-heart surgery, this one more complicated and risky than the first one. She was on the operating table for nine hours while surgeons worked diligently to correct her heart defects. This amazing little fighter survived this ordeal, but her battle wasn’t over. During the next 24 hours, a blockage developed. The doctors realized her only hope was yet another surgery. Wednesday morning, while in the operating room, God called her home…her work here was done. Heaven had a new little angel that day….we miss her."
As a result of this touching story, we were honored to make cards for Olivia's family. This was the first time that our cards left the United States as this family resides in Chile, South America. Although Jon is originally from California, Loreto is not and English is not her native language.
In a recent email exchange with Olivia's grandma, here is what I learned about how this family felt about receiving the cards:
"The Cappelluti family was overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy and concern they received from the I Feel the Love Project. The fact that each card was unique and made especially for Olivia and the family was an amazing gift. Thank you is really an inadequate word but sadly all we have.. "Tu eres la luz de Dios" From South America: You are the light of God."
If you were a part of the I Feel the Love Project for the month of January, I know that your card was a blessing to this family. What is really amazing is that there were a number of cards that month that had butterflies on them and the nickname that Jon and Loreto had given Olivia meant butterfly in Spanish. I know that was really special to them. Thank you so much for continuing to support this project. It means so much to those who receive our cards.
Join me tomorrow as we look back at the recipient of the I Feel the Love Project cards for the month of February 2012, The U.S. Navy Sailors.
Have a wonderful day.
~Madison
So lovely to hear an update from the sweet family.. it was a tough card to create. Being part of this project gives such purpose and drive to our creative journey. I still think about this family often and am thrilled that our cards gave them love and light amidst their grief.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings!
Madison,
ReplyDeleteYou touch the hearts of so many. Our prayers go out to this family. No parent should ever have to lose their child.