A headache, Resolve and Reward

The program Gifts for Hospitalized Children can sort of be like answering the Bat Phone. While I’m not a superhero out to save someone’s life, I realize a child has asked for something while in the hospital. In many cases they are young and a little scared. For this reason, if I am not busy, I feel I need to act. This afternoon I had a headache. Nothing terrible but enough to want to lay down and take a nap. I get in bed and open my iPad before going to sleep to check my messages. The opening screen tells me my cell phone received a call from the hospital. The voicemail to that call would be in my car with the cell phone. It was very tempting to just stay in bed and try and deal with this later. I thought about the program and the mission. I went to the car and listened to the voicemail. A little boy who wanted Star Wars Legos. What would Abby say? “Dad let’s go and get some legos! Come on! “Abby, I have a headache let’s wait.” “But dad, he’s in the hospital and probably sad.”

Abby spoke and I listened. So off to Toys R Us and to the hospital. Headache and all. When I arrived I met this wonderful little boy with a smile from ear to ear and his first words were “Thank you.” I said “thank you? You don’t even know what I’m here for? You my friend have work to do. You have to get these Legos built as soon as possible!” He is such a nice kid. His mom loved the gifts and she hugged me in tears. I knew what her tears meant and no words needed to be spoken. Then the kicker. The little boy reached out with his arms, one with an IV in it and asked for a hug. We hugged and he said “Thank you so much.” I told him to get well soon and get out of here. A nice reward for getting out of bed for a “headache nap.”

Nothing can replace Abby. A hole in my heart that can only be taped over. The foundation is bigger than myself. Sometimes however I get the opportunity to use the foundation for my own benefit and listen to Abby to make the right choice, making that tape just a little stronger. Thank you to all the donors that have given me this opportunity.