Perspective

So close to election, I am OVER all the negative attacks and skewed garbage that we are bombarded with at every opportunity. The President is SUPPOSED to offer support to ravaged storm victims. This is nothing heroic or amazing. The other candidate collected canned goods and diapers, not money. Oooh, what a horrible gesture. (Sense the sarcasm, please!) I wish all of you who are throwing around all the nonsense could have attended the dinner I did last night . . .

I am a member of the All Children's Hospital Guild. We volunteer, advocate, and fundraiser for the children and families of All Children's Hospital. We, as a group of nine locales, raised over $4 million dollars for the new hospital's NICU unit. Our new mission to raising $900,000 for the hospital's Pediatric Palliative Care Program.

During several hours of gathering, there were only two stories told. One was of "John". An infant born with serious health issues to Catholic parents who refused to abort him because of their religious beliefs. The Palliative Care Program was there for them. "John" was not expected to live very long, so the parents requested he spend as much time as possible at home so they could be a family. The Palliative Care Program was there to assist. The mother simply wanted her precious son to live to see his first birthday, and for his two brothers to enjoy him as much as possible. The Palliative Care Program made that happen. "John" and the family went to Disney for his first birthday. It was a miracle milestone helped to fruition by the Palliative Care Program. The day before Mother's Day, "John" earned his Ch-Angel wings. The family mourned their loss but were ecstatic and thankful to the Palliative Care Program for the blessing of "John" and all the time they were allowed to share with him.

The second story was of an older teenage girl, 17 I believe. She has cancer. She spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. Too much time. She approached the Palliative Care Program folks and asked to help have her voice heard. With their assistance, she spoke up on her own behalf to find a way to live a more normal 'teenage existence' around her treatment, instead of the other way around. And, with the Palliative Care Program's help, she went to prom and graduated with her class.

Perspective is an incredible thing. I don't know why I was suprised that I cried at a hospital event. I ALWAYS cry at hospital events. Maybe it was just the depth of these stories that touched my heart when the world, as of late, seems to be so cold and mean and hateful. I just wish you folks who are lowering your standards and ethics and morals to make your point, would look beyond your politically colored glasses to see a bigger world. It's out there. It's not always pretty, but there are folks who make it amazing and a privilege to be an inhabitant of.

Choose your perspective! Choose wisely!