It’s a Mariahcle!!!
August 26, 2008
A little before midnight last night, Mariah sat up bed and started talking. Not the whispered syllables I’ve been reporting, but real talking. In a loud, strong voice she said complete sentences like, “Where’s Robin [one of her nurses]? I want to go outside.” She apparently talked non-stop all night, and I can report that it’s still going on.
When Mariah was told we’re all witnesses to a real miracle, she said, “This is a real Mariah-cle”, making her first really awesome joke in over two months.
I’ll have more to say soon, but for now, here’s Mariah in her own voice when I saw her about 6:45 this morning:
– Mark
Mariah's Reemergence 
Oh Mariah, those are the most beautiful sounds I have heard in a long time. The look on your face is fantastic. Keep up the good work. Real progress is in the wind.
Love you, love you, love you
Grandma
Wow, Mariah. That’s terrific, a real breakthrough. Congratulations!
Cousin Wayne
Hallelujah!!!!!!! We are jumping up and down and clapping at our house. Ryan,Rachel and Charlie came running and we all listened to Mariah’s words. Wow!!! We are so happy for you. We prayed again for Mariah at church today. May her ability to speak help to lift her spirits. We hope to see Mary O. and Mariah when we are in Richmond this weekend.
With love,
Janet King Daw
HOORAY!!!
You are my hero Mariah! I have watched this video over and over again. Your voice is YOUR voice and hearing it is the most beautiful thing in the world…
Thank you for continuing to inspire me every day.
Love!
Elizabeth
all I can say is wow! I’m at the firehouse giggling like a crazy person reading this. I’m so happy for you… I knew this day would come… And it’s great
FANTASTIC!!!
This is truly a miracle. Thank you Bunny! I love you to pieces and I am so overjoyed for you. I can’t wait to hear you yell at me for trying to pick you up out of your wheelchair when you were still buckled in! Haha! Keep your chin up and keep on working. You ALWAYS inspire me.
-Clay
Praise God! He is the Great Physician. I have been praying for you every day & have never doubted your reemergence would be Mariahaculous!! Your hard work & perseverence are a testament to your character. Keep it up & keep smiling AND keep talking. I love reading about your accomplishments.
Holly Leonard
Atlanta, GA
Overjoyed to hear about your Mariah-cle! I’ve been keeping up with your progress. My church & family have been praying for you & your family. I can’t imagine how great it must feel for you to be able to speak now, nor how difficult this has been for you for the past couple months. You are and will continue to be an inspiration to many.
Cheryl
Greenville, NC
Wow Mariah!! Awesome job! The fact that you have been able to improve so much in such a short time, and have only occasional days when it’s all too much to bear, is incredible. I think if I were in your shoes, I would have still been hiding under the covers refusing to move this whole time! But you are doing it, and you will BEAT this, and you will get your life back, I know it. You are in my thoughts and prayers, I am rooting for you!!
Dear Mariah,
I’ve cried many tears of joy over your Mariahcle! My co-workers and church family are rejoicing as well. I pray for you all the time and it is so awesome to actually get to witness one of God’s miracles. Thank you for working so hard and for inspiring me to do the same.
I love you!
Aunt Judy
Wow, I read the blog last night and was overjoyed to hear this news….I am so hppy for you Mariah. This is such a wonderful thing. You are going doing great. I told Clarence as soon as I heard and everyone in the Sarge Program is so incredibly happy for you. Love you, Mark
I’m one of the instructors at the Sarge’s program and know how awesome and funny Mariah can be in her quiet and smooth way. I am glad to “hear” that she is coming into her new life and self. It’s a blessing and surely a Mariah-cle. I pray for her continued progress. Although I wasn’t able to come down with some of the other instructors, I know I will see her in the near future doing more fabulous things and being stronger than ever before. I salute you Mariah.
God Bless you and your family!
Yeah Mariah!! I have been reading this blog regularly and I have been so touched by each and every story, picture and video. I have thought of you and your incredibly loving and supportive family and friends often. I look forward to hearing more of YOUR words and accomplishments in the near future! Keep up the good, hard work. You are an inspiration.
Mariah,
AWESOME, JUST AWESOME….U continue to inspire me…u are moving mountains!!!!!!!!
WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE….KEEP ON MOVING MOUNTAINS!!!
Michele
Dear Mariah,
Congratulations!!
A couple of nights ago, I was packing some books and came across, ‘Skinny Legs…’ With that, I wondered what you were up to, so I “googled” your name. I could not believe what came up. And all I could think was, ‘it’s not fair.’ At the same time, it is heartwarming to see how clearly loved you are. Your father, brother, grandmother, friends. Wow. You ARE loved!
For the tough days- Remember the book we talked a little about all those ages ago, “The Wild Trees (by Richard Preston)?” Mariah, you are an incredible, dynamic and wonderful person. And with your strength, I’m sure this does not have to be said, but the last page of the book has some pretty good advice, especially for the hard days. It is (and I’m paraphrasing here), “Know what you want and never give up. Never EVER give up. And if someone tells you that something is impossible (or you tell yourself), do THAT first.”
I believe I thought of that because it fits your personality (doesn’t it?!). Tell you, ‘no.’ You do it. Good for you!
It looks like you’re headed to AFIP next. How fun! If you see my friend Jose, give him my best and invite him to sit for a cup of coffee. You’ll enjoy it. He’s one of the smartest and sweetest guys on the planet. You two will get along very well.
Mariah, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Always.
Finally, Go NAVY! Beat Army!
Best wishes,
Dean
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!
I can not tell you what joy it gave me to read this post, and then to hear you talking, Mariah. You have a beautiful, melodic voice, and I can tell you that “it feels great” for us to be able to hear you, and know that this remarkable leap has occurred. Miracles do happen, and you are living proof of this one. Change — wonderful change — happens!
In faith, from a friend you’ve never met,
Deb Weiner
Outstanding Mariah! You are truly amazing! You are the toughest person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. Good luck.
You are always in my thoughts
Ryan O
Those are wonderful sounds Mariah. Im happy with you progressing. Stay in the game KIDDO. I cant help but smile.
Happy face,
Senor Pena