August 25th, 2010

Dear Lisa, Rhea, Noah, Pammy, Streets, Jen, and EVERYONE at WDC.

Thank you so much for everything that you have done for the Dietz family this year. I am seriously pained to think that Friday is our last day at Windmill until next summer. How can that be? And why oh why did I not find Windmill when we moved here in 2006? All of you made such a big difference to us this year with what we had to endure and I am so happy we were a part of your family as I definitely felt the support and love you showed to all of us.

This year has been extremely hard but WDC was always a bright source of hope. Lisa one of the most touching things was the note you left me in the hospital when you came to see me and I was asleep. I will keep that note forever as it meant the world to me that you showed up there at my bedside. I don’t think you all realize how much you touch the lives of the people who come to your school and camp. If there is one thing I learned from my stroke, it is to tell the people who have made a difference in your life that they are special to you. And all of you are special to me.

I also have to thank you for the amazing job you did with Jack this year. His kindergarten year at Windmill was beyond my expectations. I can’t even believe the difference in Jack today as he gets ready to start first grade this month. He is confident in his reading skills, he likes school again, and he knows he can be successful, wow! To me as the mom, during one of the hardest years of my life, that is a gift I can’t repay you all for, all I can do is thank you a million times over. Yes I know I paid tuition, but seriously I got so much more from you all than I ever paid in tuition.

So thank you from the bottom of my “strokie” heart. I love all of you more than you will know. You better keep me on your email list so I can come over and visit during the year, K-café, we will be sure to stop by! And I want to order a 2011 sweatshirt so don’t forget me. Don’t be surprised if I see you on the street and just spontaneously come over and hug you because I will miss seeing you all every day.

All my best,
Hillary