A few weeks ago Hope's wish for a backyard playground was granted by Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic. Our Wish coordinator Courtney, Wish volunteers Bill and Mary Ellen, and Play 'n Learn created something truly extraordinary that Hope will love and use for years to come. So many hours of coordination and care and labor went into this awesome project. And then Bill and Mary Ellen (and her kids) came by with a big box of Hope's favorite food (glazed donuts!) and even more presents to celebrate her wish being granted.
On the day of the build, every few minutes she'd call out the window: "Man, is it ready?" And this sweet guy would call back, "Not yet!" Until it was....
Hope's delight over the past few weeks has been immeasurable. I can't imagine how we could estimate how much fun her playground will provide over the next many years.
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Our last week of summer vacation we were in Fenwick Island, Delaware. We stayed in a quiet little development a few minutes from the beach that was provided to us by Believe in Tomorrow, a foundation that has respite housing for families with critically ill children. They also have a building in Ocean City with several units and a couple of mountain houses.
Seeing Hope sitting ramrod straight on that horse was breathtaking. She was confident, comfortable, and beautiful. (I think therapeutic riding might be in our future...)
We ate crabs (and lots more) with all the other families staying with Believe in Tomorrow in Ocean City at Hooper's Crab House/Sneaky Pete's including a visit by a pirate.
We spent an afternoon at Jolly Rogers Amusement Park and discovered that Hope LOVES kiddie rides. She was unstoppable! Quinn had a great time learning to drive a go cart (which unfortunately ended in a crash and an ugly seatbelt burn on his neck). I suspect his need for speed with eventually lure him back to the track despite the incident.
Greg and Quinn did a longer expedition on the Bay Bee fishing boat and Quinn caught his first fish - a bluefish.
We also went to a magic show, ate a nice meal at Mancini's in Fenwick, Greg had a surf lesson (unfortunately no pictures from that one!), and John Mick Photography took a family portrait for us on the beach. And we had the opportunity to meet a bunch of families that all seemed so familiar to me - their obvious love for one another, their slightly tentative way in the world, the stress and fear and resilience of months and years of treatment worn deeply on their faces. Instant connection.
A week of trying new things and keeping busy, but mostly a week full of ordinary people giving whatever they have - a fast boat, gentle horses, delicious food, their skills, their business - and then adding the extraordinary gift of their time to make the lives of children and their families better. I'm sure they were Democrats and Republicans, well-to-do and counting on their next paycheck, deeply religious and atheist, but they are all selfless heroes for some time each summer. Giving of themselves for no obvious reward.
This summer we were given gifts most precious - the kindness of strangers.
It was our first time in the program and we weren't sure what to expect. We had the sense that we might find a gift certificate for mini-golf or a pizza in our welcome basket, but what actually happened blew us away.
The morning after our arrival I attended a mandatory orientation where I selected activities from a list of about 15, and then the program coordinator Wayne set up our schedule for the week. Here are some of our adventures:
We went horseback riding at Autumn Groves Horse Farm.
The morning after our arrival I attended a mandatory orientation where I selected activities from a list of about 15, and then the program coordinator Wayne set up our schedule for the week. Here are some of our adventures:
We went horseback riding at Autumn Groves Horse Farm.
Seeing Hope sitting ramrod straight on that horse was breathtaking. She was confident, comfortable, and beautiful. (I think therapeutic riding might be in our future...)
Two lovely men in their 60s from Ocean Pines Marina and Yacht Club took us out on the bay for a morning of sightseeing and fishing. We saw the ponies of Assateague up close and caught a little fish. Being out on the water was thrilling - even while Hope was busy shouting "No bumps!" over the roar of the engine.
Hope and Celia had their nails done at Robin Walter Salon and Spa by two sweet women. Hope ended up with blue sparkly fingernails "like a mermaid."
Hope and Celia had their nails done at Robin Walter Salon and Spa by two sweet women. Hope ended up with blue sparkly fingernails "like a mermaid."
We ate crabs (and lots more) with all the other families staying with Believe in Tomorrow in Ocean City at Hooper's Crab House/Sneaky Pete's including a visit by a pirate.
We spent an afternoon at Jolly Rogers Amusement Park and discovered that Hope LOVES kiddie rides. She was unstoppable! Quinn had a great time learning to drive a go cart (which unfortunately ended in a crash and an ugly seatbelt burn on his neck). I suspect his need for speed with eventually lure him back to the track despite the incident.
Greg and Quinn did a longer expedition on the Bay Bee fishing boat and Quinn caught his first fish - a bluefish.
We also went to a magic show, ate a nice meal at Mancini's in Fenwick, Greg had a surf lesson (unfortunately no pictures from that one!), and John Mick Photography took a family portrait for us on the beach. And we had the opportunity to meet a bunch of families that all seemed so familiar to me - their obvious love for one another, their slightly tentative way in the world, the stress and fear and resilience of months and years of treatment worn deeply on their faces. Instant connection.
A week of trying new things and keeping busy, but mostly a week full of ordinary people giving whatever they have - a fast boat, gentle horses, delicious food, their skills, their business - and then adding the extraordinary gift of their time to make the lives of children and their families better. I'm sure they were Democrats and Republicans, well-to-do and counting on their next paycheck, deeply religious and atheist, but they are all selfless heroes for some time each summer. Giving of themselves for no obvious reward.
This summer we were given gifts most precious - the kindness of strangers.
Beautiful post capturing the power people have to make a beautiful impact in the lives of others. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifully written and heartwarming post. Through acts of kindness large and small, we each have the power to make a major and positive difference in this world. Thank you Liz for sharing your experience.
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