Tag: make a wish

Make A Wish Foundation

Yesterday, my cell phone rang, and I didn’t answer it. I do not answer numbers I do not recognize, as I know it is probably a telemarketer, and I do not want to deal with that. If someone needs me that is not a telemarketer, I know they will leave me a message. Little did I know it was the coordinator for the Make A Wish Foundation.

Well, this time, this person left a message.

I checked my message and realized that I genuinely needed to speak to this person. Hesitantly, I called back because, on one side, I didn’t want to hear what she had to say. On the other hand, I did want to hear what she had to say. I’m sure I’m not the only person ever to think/feel that.

MAW Rep

This lady was from the MAKE A WISH foundation. I had, on a whim, filled out the info for this foundation to see if H qualified. Sadly, I thought that kids, who had cancer or were terminally ill, got to make a wish for a final trip for themselves and their families before Jesus called them home.

Times Have Changed

Times have changed. The Make A Wish foundation still does that for terminally ill kiddoes, but now (they may have always done this, but it is new to me), they extend this wish to kids with life-altering diseases. I had to check my pride and sanity and not admit that he has a life-altering illness to complete this paperwork. Sadly, I cried through the whole thing. Maybe he isn’t as bad as I think he is. Perhaps this is just an “it will pass” type thing.

Medically Fragile

Then I heard the words, “your son is medically fragile.” I listened to the words, “the longer he stays symptomatic, the more permanent brain damage is done.” Next was “we want to help him maintain and not lose any more abilities.” Then, my 3 yr old son looks at me and asks for his walker because it hurts to walk or he can’t do something. That gut punches me.

Mounds of Paperwork

I filled that paperwork out about a month ago. I didn’t forget about it, but I didn’t pursue it either. Then, I was facing it, and the phone rang. I did not answer it. There was a moment when I listened to my voicemail. Then, I felt the warmth of tears filling my eyes. I called. H was going to be granted a wish. I am humbled. I am sad. I’m excited for him to be allowed to be a kid without being surrounded by medical staff. I have all these emotions that I have a hard time processing.

Processing Emotions

I thanked them profusely. There was a point when I tried to explain to H that we would see Mickey Mouse. Also, I told my other kids, my husband, and my sister. I should have had a more exciting inflection in my voice. My kids should have been more excited. Yet, we all knew the magnitude of his condition and that his case was reviewed, and just by reading it on paper, he qualified.

We will get excited, eventually. I will plan things. We are SO grateful for the opportunity, and it will be nice to get away for a little bit without stressing about 5000 different things. I meet up with a couple of adoptive families I have come to love through Facebook. There are so many good things that will come out of this.

God is Still Good

God is good. I foresaw this ordeal before He created the Earth. He is showing us another bit of my rainbow, and I’m so thankful. But I’d rather see my son healthy than going on a vacation. Until then, we are heading to Disney.

Thank You, Make a Wish and Give Kids The World

Thank you, Make A Wish Foundation. Please know that you can donate your time, flight points, or volunteer your time for this excellent foundation. One day, when I get done raising kids, I foresee myself doing all I can to see other families in my situation have some joy during their hard times.