HAPPY THANKSGIVING~A DAY OF THANKS!!!!!

My husband and I are preparing to leave for Fayetteville to spend this Thanksgiving day with Mom, Cathy and our children. Mikey has already called Mom and Cathy this morning and told them not to forget to call me too! Cathy said Mikey sounded strong and happy. When he calls late in the day or early evening, it can be difficult to understand him, but this morning he sounded stronger than Cathy has heard him sound in a very long time. And, Mom said, his voice was deeper and not so “childlike” in his manner of speaking. Cathy asked him if he remembered who he called last (remember, he is taking turns now) and he remembered it was me. Both of these observations are very good signs!

We thank God, on this day, for Mikey’s and Barbaro’s continuing recovery.

I’m at Mom’s now….and since Thanksgiving is all about togetherness, love, sharing and giving thanks for our blessings, we want to take time from this busy day to count our blessings and thank everyone who has provided support, despite the many trials and tribulations that we have encountered. We all have so much to be thankful for this year. Thanks be to God first and foremost, and thank You that our brother is alive, well and continuing to improve.

We all express our sincere gratitude for the compassion, support, and generosity EVERYONE has shown our brother and his family. My mother, sister and I are and will be eternally grateful. We thank God for all the outside assistance we have received from various agencies and organizations and thank Him for the many prayers offered to Mike and all of us by family, friends and others. There is much solace in knowing that many people are praying for us and everyone’s prayers have been and are a powerful source of support.

We have come to know many members of the horse racing community, especially Barbaro and his fans, Alex and TWR’s site, Carol at EquestNetwork, Mike’s friends and many many others since Mike’s accident. What we did not realize was that such a close knit community existed, a family if you will, consisting of horse people, friends and strangers with a common goal, who rally with open hearts, prayers and whatever resources they may offer in support of their fellow horsemen or friends who endure life-changing events. Each of us now call friends many people we would have never met that have touched our lives in untold ways.

Please forgive us those we have not been able to thank personally and know that were we to try to list everyone we would surely run out of space!


We don’t know if Mike completely comprehends what all has been done for him, but we can tell you that knowing he and his family are in the hearts and prayers of so many is a tremendous source of comfort to him. Doctors have told us more than once the brain injury healing process will occur at a greater rate if the patient is free of worry and strife and everyone’s generosity, support , cards and notes of encouragement and rallying for the ABC Extreme Makeover has helped to accomplish this for Mike. For that, we are deeply grateful.

Thanks to the funds from the Ford Mustang raffle, The Whip’s Fundraiser and contributions from friends and supporters to Mike’s Trust Fund. It is our hope and prayer Mike and his family will be able to maintain some semblance of normalcy until he is once again able to earn a living. We all will continue to stand in faith, trusting in God, and take this journey one day at a time.

We wish all a Happy Thanksgiving!

With Love,

Nancy Rehm
Cathy Rea Bosley
Shirley Rea
AND from us on behalf of Mike Rea

WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
WE BELIEVE IN BARBARO!
WE BELIEVE IN THE FANS OF BARBARO!
WE BELIEVE IN MIKE REA!