Mood:
happyNow Playing: tv
Topic: Appearances
My morning started with dropping off the kids and heading home to get beautified. The advantage to having all the kids in school while I'm home is that I have opportunities to volunteer in my community without much disruption to my home life. I arrived and walked inside Doernbecher Children's Hospital and headed into the lobby where 99.5 The Wolf, a country radio station here in Portland was hosting it's 6th annual Hunt for the Cure Radiothon to raise money for families and children who need financial assistance for their medical care. I've got to tell you, this place is beautiful. Birds are hanging on wires from the ceiling, so it looks like they've just flown in. There is this cool metal mural above the windows that shows animals from land, sea, and air. Original art lines the hallways, most penned by patients during their stay here. The area was buzzing with busyness ...volunteers manning phones, on-air personalities interviewing folks, and all the normal hustle and bustle of a major hospital. As I was waiting for my turn to man the phones, I spotted this young girl coming towards me in a wheelchair. This girl wanted to give some money for the cause, and she is a patient here. She had her mother take her out of bed and wheeled her down to the lobby so she could give money to help other kids who need help. WOW, does that even begin to cover it? This adorable little princess, just by sight, is ill. She doesn't feel good, and yet she comes down and gives the money from her change purse to help some unknown kid. I just had to talk to her...I couldn't resist. I said hello and asked if she would take a picture with me; and she smiled the brightest smile! I gave her an autograph card and her face just glowed. Her name is Amber, and her pink unicorn sits proudly on her lap. And then Amber says the most amazing thing to me, "Could you see if I could get on the air? I want to tell everyone about this place". I went over and told the contact person and I think she was working on it, but then I noticed Amber laying on some cushions near the window. She clearly did not feel well. Within just a few minutes, she was picked up and wheeled away. POOF! I couldn't find out what happened because I was already on the phones. I took calls for hours; I was warmed by the kindness of the people I spoke to. One gentleman I'm sure will not fade from my memory. He got two words into our conversation before he broke down. In between sobs, I learned that his son, an Army MP from Fort Lewis, Washington had died in January. He wanted to donate in his son's honor. As a Army wife of a medic who served 2 tours in Iraq, I have to admit that I just lost it. Once my time on the phones was done, I was headed out the door and then I saw her. I looked and saw this petite, little blond princess sitting by the windows. She was the cutest thing just sitting there; and she was so little her feet barely went to the edge. Her hands were folded daintily in her lap and she was just waiting...I walked over and said hello and asked her name. The tiniest little voice came out, "I'm Kate." The little face, short blonde hair and rosebud lips just melted my heart. We had our picture taken together and she was very excited with the autograph card, and I went on my way. On my drive down the hill, I was listening to the Radiothon, and suddenly I heard that little voice on the air. Baby Kate, was telling her story, mostly through her Mommy. She was born healthy, but at 4 1/2 months old became ill. She spent the next 2 years in the hospital: TWO YEARS. Her Mommy moved in with her while her Daddy stayed home with her two brothers. Separate lives for most of two years. Then last year at her checkup, they were told her cancer was gone. Gone! Unbelievable. Once again, my volunteerism brought me a lifetime of lessons in a mere 5 hours. I am blessed.
Posted by mrsoregonua2006
at 9:06 PM PST
Updated: Friday, 24 March 2006 9:14 AM PST
caffeinated
lucky
sad
energetic