Last night was [hopefully] Caleb's last night staying at RMH...at least for a while! I have a feeling we'll be frequent flyers around here, seeing as a lot of her surgeries will be at JH. I'm thinking the one near CHOP will also be well-known by us...
Anyway, I was talking with Caleb about how he wouldn't be staying here anymore. For a while, I was a bit concerned that he wouldn't want to go home. I mean, let's face it: this place is any kid's dream!! Games, video gaming systems, crafts, food, treats, toys, Ronald McDonald visits...our house can't compete with that!
To my surprise, Caleb said, "Ya know, the Ronald McDonald House is very nice, but it's not home. I'm ready to just go home and be a family." Doesn't that sound so mature?! I know he's heard that from us, but it was pretty impressive for him to say it himself.
Then, at dinner--and totally unprompted--Caleb told me that he wanted to serve dinner here after we go home so that he could help other families. Isn't that awesome?!? It made me smile to see my boy looking outside of himself. The director happened to be nearby, so I had Caleb tell her what he had just told me and she was thrilled. Of course, Matt and I have already been trying to think of ways to help out. This may be a little difficult at first with Abby, but I think that we can make it happen. We may just bring her (and all of her gear) right on up here, along with someone to keep an eye on her while we're making dinner! We may do some activity hours as well...we'll just have to see! If anyone is interested in joining the team we'll be putting together, let us know! :)
It's kind of sad to say goodbye to RMH. We have come to love the staff and everything this house stands for: love, compassion, understanding, peace, gratitude, family...it will always have a very special place in our hearts and we will definitely be looking for ways to give back.
But then, when I start to get a little misty-eyed about leaving, I think of that gorgeous girl that I can NOT WAIT to get home, and it's all I can do not to pack up the car right now and take her with me. :)
Anyway, I was talking with Caleb about how he wouldn't be staying here anymore. For a while, I was a bit concerned that he wouldn't want to go home. I mean, let's face it: this place is any kid's dream!! Games, video gaming systems, crafts, food, treats, toys, Ronald McDonald visits...our house can't compete with that!
To my surprise, Caleb said, "Ya know, the Ronald McDonald House is very nice, but it's not home. I'm ready to just go home and be a family." Doesn't that sound so mature?! I know he's heard that from us, but it was pretty impressive for him to say it himself.
Then, at dinner--and totally unprompted--Caleb told me that he wanted to serve dinner here after we go home so that he could help other families. Isn't that awesome?!? It made me smile to see my boy looking outside of himself. The director happened to be nearby, so I had Caleb tell her what he had just told me and she was thrilled. Of course, Matt and I have already been trying to think of ways to help out. This may be a little difficult at first with Abby, but I think that we can make it happen. We may just bring her (and all of her gear) right on up here, along with someone to keep an eye on her while we're making dinner! We may do some activity hours as well...we'll just have to see! If anyone is interested in joining the team we'll be putting together, let us know! :)
It's kind of sad to say goodbye to RMH. We have come to love the staff and everything this house stands for: love, compassion, understanding, peace, gratitude, family...it will always have a very special place in our hearts and we will definitely be looking for ways to give back.
But then, when I start to get a little misty-eyed about leaving, I think of that gorgeous girl that I can NOT WAIT to get home, and it's all I can do not to pack up the car right now and take her with me. :)
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