Dear Friends,

November’s chilling winds are here,
Trees almost bare
Waves of leaves flowing.
Snow flakes just waiting for the Fall.

It’s been a long year for all of us. The seasons have seen us with Megan in winter garments, spring garments, summer swimming suit, fall garments, Halloween costume, ....and now the winter approaches us again. It is the hospital garment we have been trying to avoid all year long.

It is interesting to note how this past year has come upon us, and how it has moved on into our memories. Megan grows with each day, she learns more, she interacts with more people, she watches as many of us gather for various fundraising events, and she makes hundreds more friends.

The Hayward household has never seen such a constant passage of friends through their doors as they have in the past year. Their doors were always open before, but now, it’s kind of like "Hotel Hayward"! There is not a silent moment, not an instant when there is not someone wanting to do something for the family, or for Megan. It’s hectic to say the least, but, it has been a comforting and learning experience for Megan and her family AND for all those who have stopped by.

We’ve passed the anniversary of the initial diagnosis, and are approaching the anniversary of the transplant operation. During that time, although none of Megan’s critical medical conditions have been forgotten, we have all tried to participate in a somewhat "normal life". Not an easy task when you know that the next sneeze could signify the onset of what we have all been afraid of.

In the past year, I have learned that Megan doesn’t want people around her to treat her like a fragile, sick person, she wants them to treat her like a 3 year old who is quickly approaching her 4'th birthday. There is the criticalness of life’s ailments, and then there is the criticalness of life’s living. Megan tends to steer you towards those things in life which are fun, enjoyable, laughable! Megan always wants to have fun, and she will share all of the fun in the world with you if you stop long enough to experience it. I know. I’ve been there, and many times she has "lifted" my spirits with her various games and toys. If you saw Megan today, you would never know that she was critically ill. Must be one of the miracles about Megan.

Anyway, tests about a month ago raised quite a fright, and it was alarming to see some of the blood counts go so high. Subsequent tests and scans, and a forwarding of all of this data down to Johns Hopkins set many of us into a nervous state of mind. There are so many things which could go wrong: rejection of the transplant, a reoccurrence of the cancer,..... or other medical problems. Luckily, after a month of tests and re-tests, Megan is still doing fine,.....she’s just growing (as do all 3 year olds).

Her father Mark is not so lucky, and he continues to undergo various (ucky) medical procedures and tests regarding his transplant donor operation and ensuing complications. He and I compare notes on the various medical procedures we both go through to determine which one of us has had the "uckiest" test,..but when push comes to shove, neither of us has come close to what Megan has had to go through.

I hope that Megan’s medical stats settle down to something which is normal. I hope that the doctors figure out what is wrong with Megan’s father.

But most of all, I hope that everyone who reads this message spends a few moments during the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday to reflect on how lucky we all are. We have all been blessed with the opportunity to live our lives, and to reach out and touch the lives of those around us. Megan has taught me that it is never too late to care, never too late to sit on the grass and blow dandelions into the breeze,....never too late to look for cooties,...... but most of all, it is never too late to realize how precious life is.

I have always said that Megan’s Candle was a symbol, a message, for all of us. Pick up the candle, let it guide you,....there are lots of Megans in the world just waiting. Megan’s Candle lights the way for all of us, and in each of us there is a child just waiting to see the way. Let us guide and be guided by a light which is there for all of us.

On this Thanksgiving, light a candle. Look into the light of the candle, and ask yourself what you see. I hope you see the twinkle in the eyes of Megan, or, in the eyes of a loved one who is close to you. If so, stop long enough to "smell the roses",........blow out a dandelion or two... play a game, or, just hold someone and tell them that you love them. Each moment is precious,.....and it is easy to share the love of life. Follow the flame of Megan’s Candle, and you will receive the blessings of Thanksgiving.

Sometimes,.... it is the simple things in life, like the light from a candle, or, the love of a child, which guide us through the most difficult passages in our lives.

On Behalf of Mark and Nancy, Patrick, Kelsey and Megan,

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
We give Thanks for Megan and Patrick and Kelsey, and all of you who have touched our lives!!!
No words can truly express the Thanks we feel for all that you have done.
We give Thanks for your caring, your prayers, and your love.