Ray, the camera and thank you to Janette

[Mackey Mouse]

It has happened the camera has been delivered and we are grateful to Ead for getting the job done.. I loved the pictures and would have so enjoyed being there in person to see Ray's face..

So Mr. Ray, enjoy your camera and please continue to share with us those sweet angels whenever you can...

For those of you who may have missed this, please check this link..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=221820


And a special thanks to Janette and all her co-workers who helped to coordinate this for Ray...

[Smee]

Enjoy, Ray!!!!!
And thanks, Janette!!!

[Towncrier]

I just got a phone call from Ray. Needless to say, he is overwhelmed by the generousity of his friends here on the DIS boards. He was just getting home from working all night in the NICU and was physically and emotionally spent. I was away from my desk, so he left me a wonderful voicemail. I know that he'll want to express his thanks in his own words after he gets some sleep.

God Bless you Ray Sharpton and all the work that you and your coworkers do for the children. Now get some sleep.

[December99]

This is just so cool and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it!

[figmentvi]

I am so happy to have been a part of this.

Janette......thanks so much for being so diligent with our e-mail updates. It was so exciting to hear the progress.

Ray......{{HUGS}} Can't wait to see picutres of those little angels.


Linda

[Pixie Power!]

This was so much fun, Im so pleased that I was able to be part of it.

Emma

p.s. remember the numbers game ;)

[bashful64]

Ray you deserve it. I am so glad that I was able to be a part of giving something to someone who gives so much to others.

{{{HUGS}}}

[DaveH]

What a great gesture for a very special man, I remember reading the post about the Santa thing Ray did and was in tears. I do wish I had known to help out on this. Ray you do deserve such a gift. I hope you and your coworkers put all of the stuff to good use, as I believe you will. May god bless you all.


Ray I am looking forward to meeting you in Dec.

[RaySharpton]

Thank you so very much. I don't know what to say. I am still in shock. I can't believe that you guys did this. I didn't know what to say. I have been so excited all night...I mean last night and today.

I got home and called several DISers that I had phone numbers of from DumboOrBust's address list. I finally got luvdsny on the phone and told her thank you so much and that I didn't know what to say on the DIS boards. I got ahold of Towncrier's wife, too, and thanked her so much and got his office number, but I got his voicemail, everyone else's voicemail...lol.

Everyone at work kept saying why did y'all do this. I mean they know about the Santa Claus pictures and everything. And they all know to come to me for any Walt Disney World information, no one really is into the DIS thing like we all are...lol. They say, you mean you really did go to a DISney CONvention with 150 other strangers that you have never met, except on the internet...and so on and so on. A lot of non-Disney nurses usually think that I'm crazy to vacation at Disney, but those same nurses are so greatful to receive DISney planning information when they go to Disney...lol.

But they all say that y'all must be some wonderful, caring people to be doing this and they told me to say thank you so much.

I apologize if I am rambling. I thought that I was just going to say thank you, but I don't know how to adequetely say thank you to you guys.

My supervisor called me and in a stern voice said, "Ray, where are you? I need to talk to you." He told me to meet him at the desk of of POD-G in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

I was giving a breathing treatment to an older baby and finishing up after about five minutes and then I rounded the corner. I first saw a flash of light...lol...from ead79's Dear Dad taking the first picture that y'all saw. You guys may not know this, but I am terrible at remembering names. Real bad! That's why I'm always wanting lists of names and photos of you guys...long story...lol.

I was in shock. At first, I thought that I was the recipient of the Employee of the Month...lol. Then I thought that I recognized ead79, but it took me about 10 minutes to realize that I saw her at my first DIS meet, but I still didn't understand what was going on.

Then I finally remembered who ead79 was and I read the letter as ead79 (Elizabeth) told me that she was assured that the camera and printer would hook up to my WebTV...lol.

Then as I read the beautiful letter, I started to understand and that's when I gave Elizabeth a big hug, thanking her and saying that you guys shouldn't have done this.

It took every ounce of energy for me to keep from crying like a big baby.

This was a complete surprise, and I'm still in shock. Several nurses that have known me for years came up to me during the night giving me hugs, saying that this was so very nice and special of you guys.

I don't know how to say thank you. If you pm me your telephone number, I would love to call you in person to thank you. And if you would pm me your name and address,I would love to say thank you. But until then, please let me say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our next holiday is Thanksgiving, then the Holidays, Valentine day, Mothers day, etc. The babies and the mothers will truly appreciate this.

I called Debbie, too. She's the one that uses the poloroid camera to take pictures. I need to convince her that this will be so much easier. I told her that I will even roll the TV from bed to bed so that she can see a large picture of the baby...lol. It's a long story. But she said we can do both. Another long story...lol. I think that she will come around...lol. And I can't wait to figure out this camera so that I can post my first picture.

Thank you, addicted_to_WDW.
Thank you, Barb.
Thank you, bashful64.
Thank you, CarolA.
Thank you, CarolG.
Thank you, catsrule.
Thank you, Dan Murphy.
Thank you, danacara.
Thank you, December99.
Thank you, DixieDreamer.
Thank you, DumboOrBust.
Thank you, ead79 and parents.
Thank you, emmy.
Thank you, ennazus.
Thank you, FairyGodFriend.
Thank you, figmentvi.
Thank you, fostrmom2mny.
Thank you, gemmie214.
Thank you, glo.
Thank you, Goofball.
Thank you, janette.
Thank you, Jennyfyar.
Thank you, KimRaye.
Thank you, KirstenB.
Thank you, Kitty34.
Thank you, luvdsny.
Thank you, Mac-Key Mouse.
Thank you, Mark P.
Thank you, MerryPoppins
Thank you, Mickeyfaniam.
Thank you, NancyIL.
Thank you, nativetxn.
Thank you, NurseKim.
Thank you, oldkicker.
Thank you, Pixie Power!.
Thank you, Planogirl.
Thank you, Pooh93.
Thank you, pumba.
Thank you, pw2pp.
Thank you, Sandra B..
Thank you, skuttle.
Thank you, SideShowBob.
Thank you, Snowwark.
Thank you, snowwhitemom.
Thank you, ***********
Thank you, teri.
Thank you, TimNDansMom.
Thank you, Tink13.
Thank you, tink29.
Thank you, Tony-NJ.
Thank you, Towncrier.
Thank you, WebmasterAlex.
Thank you, WebmasterCathyCanada.
Thank you, WenNRay.
Thank you, wovenwonder.
Thank you, the entire DIS community.

I'm heading to bed now. What a truly caring DIS Community this is. My heart is about to burst with joy from all your love.

Most Sincerely,

My DIS Friends For life, RaySharpton

[Pixie Power!]

Oh Ray your truely worth it!!

Ive just come out in goose bumps reading your post and im trying NOT to cry (unsuccessfully I might add).

I dont want to put you to the cost of an overseas call Ray, so I will settle for a hug at Discon instead:D

Take care,

Emma

[Sandra B.]

Ray, you got me crying again:D
I'm glad I could be a part of this. You deserve it!!!!

Hugs,
Sandra

[Mackey Mouse]

OK.. you got me crying now too... I cannot believe that this was kept a secret for so long... I am glad it finally came to be...and was happy to part of it..

Janette, really needs to take a bow here as it was her vision that put this together for you..

Hugs.. Mr. Ray... see ya soon.. :D :D

[CarolA]

I think I speak for all of us when I say it was our pleasure! The work you and the others at the hosptial do for these babies is wonderful. The miracles that are accomplished now with premature babies are just amazing, but they could not be accomplished without dedicated caring health professionals who don't get enought thanks and recognition.

Have fun with your new toy!

[figmentvi]

sniff......sniff.....Tears of happiness are falling.

It really and truly is better to give than to receive. This has been a wonderful experience.

Ray you are a wonderful and loving man. We are all so pleased to have been able to be a part of this "scheme" :)


Linda

[dalepool]

Ray, Great picture taking. I wasn't involved with the secret---Guess I came to the boards to late. Just a quick note to wish you beautiful pictures and a wonderful day taking them. I always knew you were someone special--as I would tell my husband about all the care and time you put into your posts. Again great picture taking. And to the givers----of the gift what wonderful people you all must be......Can't wait to meet you all. PattyN :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave:

[catsrule]

yay for Ray! Thanks for taking good care of those babies, Ray!:D See you at DisCon II!

[MdmMim]

Ray, I just saw the picture of you with those precious babies--what a wonderful man you must be! I read the message with the picture, and it brought tears to my eyes... What a very special job you have! And what a very special person you are! I can't wait to meet you in December! (And please--give us pix of those little ones!)

[luvdsny]

Ray, we all just love you so much. And we know how appreciative you are, don't worry about trying to find the right words. We know. :)

And Janette......Thank You So Much!
You initiated this wonderful event and worked so hard on it. Thank you so much for seeing it all the way through. :) You, too, are an angel. :)

[janette]

You're welcome for all of your Thanks. It really couldn't have happened without everyone. The community here made it possible, too bad the boards don't have a feature where we could hid certain posts from someone and we could have been more public about it. ;)

Ray, you've allowed us all to be your helpers and we are thanful for that. You give of your time and talents to make a lasting memory for the parents of the miracles you work with. We've just provided you a few new tools to help you make those memories. A much smaller contribution. :)

[RaySharpton]

Alright now, Miss Janette we need to have a long talk, now...lol.

I just awakened from the most restful sleep. It must be because of all the love that I'm feeling.

I think that I figured out that you were the young lady that somehow planned all this.

Please explain all this to me. How did this all get started and why? How did you organize all this? Did you all do this in chat? Because I can't use the new chat. What is this thread that everyone is talking about? I had no idea! How did the Milkshakeathon and SideshowBob come about, etc.?

I only have one address so far that catsrule sent me. Where are all of you guys telephone numbers and addresses, so that I can thank you properly?

I just opened the camera box, and this DISer is so overwhelmed by all of you DISer's generosity.

LOL...there is so many pieces of information. I opened the boxes letter that said "open me first." It was a quick set-up of the camera which looks just like Dan Murphy's camera. I looked through the instructions and said whoa! Information overload...lol. Then I saw about six other instruction type leafets and then a 1/2 inch thick instruction booklet...lol. Then I found this cord thing that looks like what you plug the chip card thingie in. Then I finally saw something I recognized....a neck strap for the camera...lol. So I went for something more simple like the camera bag and opened up all the pockets and looked inside and there were these fancy lenses and another cord thingie thing that you plug a card in.

This may take me a week, but I'll master this. Thank you so much everyone.

I'm going to start sending you guys pm's and e-mails, if you have them listed to thank you until you send me your telephone numbers and names and addresses so that I can thank you properly.

And please...please let me know if I left your name out by mistake. You must tell me for me to know since you guys planned all this so secretly.

O.K., I'm getting sleepy again. This happens after working 12-hour plus nights. My old body is trying to play catch up...lol.

Most Sincerely, RaySharpton

[DixieDreamer]

This was soo fun! :)

Ray - you are just the sweetest thing! It is a treat to be able to do something for you - because you do so much for all of us and for so many others.

[RaySharpton]

I saw this "numbers? thread?", I think, and I could not make sense of it at all. Someone works for the C.I.A. and works for the secret code department lol.

Thank you, KimRaye, Thank you, janette, thank you everyone.

I'm going back to look up all these DISer names in alphabetical order, so that I can send everyone Thank "You" pms and e-mails.

This might take two days...lol.

Please let me know if your pm didn't get to you. Many of you don't have your e-mail activated. And please let me know if I didn't get your name.

Sincerely, Ray Sharpton

[Dan Murphy]

A nice 'cause' to be be part of. Hope you enjoy, Ray, and we want to see your babies soon. :sunny:

[janette]

Ray, you will be thanking us everytime you use the camera and the rest to take pictures of the babies.

Our contributions are insignificant when compared to the work you'll do.

It was done with PM's and E-mail, Sideshowbob was challenged to drink a MilkShake and the funds raised went towards your gift. Nothing was done in chat or on the boards other than when hiding in the numbers game or Milkshakeathon threads. Both allowed us to keep those that knew something updated.

[CDoobee]

Oh, Ray! This is wonderful! :bounce: :Pinkbounc This is the first I've heard of ANY of it!!! I'm so very sorry :( that I wasn't able to be a part of this wonderful gift you were given! Only because, I didn't know! I truly would have loved to be in on this! You really deserve it! :) :) Looking forward to seeing you at DIS Con II !!!


{{HUGS}}
Debbie:earsgirl:

[RaySharpton]

Mahsha...I mean Marsha...lol, I wish that you and everyone could have been there, too. Hugs to you, too and thank you.

Corinne...thank you so much.

John...I guess that I was really tired...lol. Your wife was so nice and sweet to talk to over the phone, and thank you.

Chris...It was so nice to talk to you and thank you.

Linda...Hugs to you, too. And that was quite a little plan that you guys put together, and thank you.

Emma...You'll definitely get that hug this December, and I never knew what that numbers game was all about...lol, and thank you.

Shannon...Hugs to you, too, and you DISers give so much to me, and thank you.

Dave...I can't wait to be at your 50's Prime Time Cafe DIS meet in December at DIS-CON-II, and thank you.

Sandra...You're going to make me cry too, now stop it...lol, and thank you.

Carol...You have no idea how much you and everyone give back to me and so many others, too. Thank you.

Patty...I can't wait to meet you, too. Thank you.

Mary Jo...I can't wait to see you at DIS-CON-II, too...lol. Thank you.

MdmMim...I'll see ya at DIS-CON-II, too. Thank you.

janette...janette...janette...Thank you so much. You must be one very special Angel to plan all this, and you must work for the Secret Service Agency, too, because I had no idea...lol. When I hold those Dear Little Angels, I will always think of you and everyone of you DISers as our helpers. You're love and support mean so much to me, and all you DISers Caring Hearts are never insignificant to me. Thank you for the information about the pms, e-mails, numbers game, Milkshakeathon, and SideshowBob. I just have to talk to you. Thank you doesn't seem like it's enough, but thank you, so much.

DixieDreamer...Thank you.

Dan...I got your voicemail after I left you a voicemail, and now your voicemail isn't operating this afternoon and I guess that I missed you again...lol. I will definitely call you for help. I haven't actually unpacked or picked up the camera, yet...lol, but I will after I read these seven instruction warnings and the book of instructions...lol. Thank you.

Debbie, I know you would and you do with your heart everyday. Thank you.

Sincerely, RaySharpton :)

[December99]

Ray - it was a true joy to "meet you" today even though it was through the phone lines. Can't wait to meet you in December and thanks for being you!!!!

[catsrule]

Ray, the pleasure was all ours! :D

[Beanie]

Ray, I am really looking forward to meeting you in December...You seem like a wonderful friend to everyone here!! Hugs to you!! :)