Holly Richardson and I met at an interesting time in my life. I had just discovered, via Facebook and Twitter, that I was going to Hell for accepting the Medicaid Waiver that was and still is, keeping Parker alive. I live in a state where there are those who choose to cling tighter to their political agenda than the words of their ecclesiastical leaders when it comes to social safety nets.
I was gun shy around Holly and she recognized it. To prove that she knew exactly what I was living, she told me that she had someone she wanted me to meet, and she was on her way over.
I opened the door to Holly who was holding Angelina in her arms. Angelina was born with hydranencephaly, and where most of her brain should have been, there was only fluid. I don’t know many who would choose to open their hearts and homes to a little one, knowing their time together would be so short. Holly knew this when she and her husband adopted Angelina.
Take a moment and think about this. I can’t tell you how often I’ve prayed to have the fear and pain of the possibility of losing a child to be erased from my from my life’s plan. Holly walked into my worst angst with open arms and the type of love that puts my faintheartedness and lack of faith to shame.
There’s one promise that Holly Richardson made to me that day which will forever be engraved on my heart. Holly promised that she would always be willing to fight side by side with me to ensure that the Waiver that keeps Parker breathing, will continue to be available.
With that, Holly Richardson won my friendship and trust.
It’s with her willingness to listen and learn about issues such as education, that’s she’s won my vote to replace Senator Al Jackson in District 14, which includes almost all of Alpine, Highland, Cedar Hills, American Fork and Pleasant Grove, plus Lindon and the northeast corner of Orem.
On Wednesday, January 13th, Holly will be at Highland Elementary from 7-8 p.m. to meet and greet and share her vision for Utah and those of us that live here. I hope you’ll come and ask her your hard questions. If you are unable to attend, share your question in the comments section below and I’ll share it with Holly and post on her answers.
