Perspective

Last Friday I was at an event for my job. The event is a 12 hour radio and tv fundraiser to help make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Throughout the day I was struck by the people who wanted to help, whether is was the radio/tv folks asking their listeners/viewers to donate, the volunteers who gave their time so generously and the wish families who came back to share their stories of hope, strength and joy. Sometimes I think we focus so much on the bad it is very easy to forget the good and that day was a day full of good things.

I usually do well with controlling my emotions - it is my job to tell people about the Foundation and do it in an emotionally provocative way, but still keep my composure and be professional. There was an instance that really go me that day. A little boy around my son's age who has cancer and his mom came to do an interview for the radio-thon. He had already received his wish. He was absolutely precious; a sweet face with cute little cheeks, blue eyes and sandy brown hair. He reminded me so much of my son that when I looked at him I couldn't help buy cry. I honestly don't know his prognosis. Some of our wish kids beat their illness and live long lives, others do not. As a mother I cannot fathom what our wish families go through. I cannot imagine what it is like to have a child who is very sick. All I wanted to do was go get A from school, take him to do something fun and give him all the hugs and kisses I could give. I talked to my husband on my way home and told him how much it touched me to see this little boy and how I couldn't wait to see my own. When I came home I heard "MOMMYYYYYYY!" My husband had let our son stay up so I could see him and give him the biggest hug I could muster. I, of course, started crying and hugged him so tight he said "Mommy, dat too much!" It was the best hug ever.