The Donut Lady

I love getting to know people. Everyone has a story if you only ask. One of my favorite people at the hospital is the Donut Lady. Every Wednesday she's here, cheerfully greeting the kids in her bright blue smock. Encouraging parents. Smiling at children.

And every week, she brings enough donuts to feed an army and sets up a free spread with her goodies (and coffee!) right outside of the blood draw rooms.

It's taken me a bit to get her story because she's very, very humble. She prefers to be behind the scenes. She's a servant.

She and her husband own the Dunkin Donuts across the street from CCMC. You know...the one EVERYONE floods when it's gray and rainy. That's not the only DD she owns, but I'm sure she keeps just how many quiet.

I have a strong hunch that a lot of things happen here at CCMC because of the generosity of she and her husband. Today I learned that her love extends beyond the walls of the hospital - even to the ends of the earth. She and her husband have traveled extensively across the globe serving on medical mission trips all over Africa, South America, and more.

Not only has she traveled with her husband, serving everywhere she goes, but she raised her children to do the same. They took their kids with them throughout the years. Now grown, the kids work in medicine, serving generously as they learned and even adopting!

And what motivates the Donut Lady?

She's a believer. She can't help but be generous. She's loving extravagantly.

And did I mention? She's turning 70 soon and has no intention of slowing down.

Although I admit that Starbucks blows DD coffee out of the water, I will now be tempted to pull through the DD drive-thru after each transfusion...because I know just how much good comes from my eating a french crueler.

Here's to the Donut Lady. And don't say anything. She likes it better that way.

Good News/Bad News

Today I learned that our children's hospital has finally acquired the funding to do a major remodeling...a project that will create a new and larger floor for hematology and oncology. The sad news is that it's needed. Our day was full of bald-headed children here for treatment. Breaks my heart.

The good news is that the floor is going to be WONDERFUL. It will have many more treatment rooms, a bigger infusion ward, even new game rooms for the kids. It will be nice for us, but I'm so much more thankful for the kids who are LIVING here.

Can't wait for demolition to begin. It won't be long now!

Then Again.....

J has texted me to say that there's been a change of plans. M. will NOT be admitted this time around. She'll have her regular transfusion today (coming home late this afternoon) and will be admitted for the chelation drip in four weeks around her next transfusion.

The floor on which M. gets her treatment is both Hematology and Oncology. Apparently there are LOTS of oncology (cancer) patients (remember--this is a children's hospital.) there today filling up every available room. That just breaks my heart. M.'s condition is serious, but these kids have an even greater struggle; some are fighting for their lives. Please remember those kids in your prayers today.

You can prayer for J. and M. too. I guess they're getting the transfusion in a hallway. Wow. The hospital must be slammed. Very sad.

Hospital Tomorrow

Tomorrow is our first 3 day stint at the Children's Hospital and M is not happy about it. At bedtime we had TEARS. And clinging. And utter sadness.

"But Mama, it's cold there."

We will take your cozy Gigi blanket.

"But Mama, I don't like the sheets. They are hard."

We will take a soft pillowcase so that you are warm and toasty.

"But Mama, my toes are cold."

We will take your favorite bunny slippers.

And on and on it went. Poor thing!

You know what bugs her the most? She DETESTS hospital gowns. From the first time at a hospital in the States, she has protested vehemently and CLUNG to us terrified at the mention of wearing one. Don't know if she had some bad experience in one in China or it's just a fluke, but she identifies it with FEAR.

Unfortunately, because she has a drip in her ARM, she can't really wear anything else because they need to be able to get to her body in an emergency and sleeves are tricky with the iv. I'm hoping that packing cozy pj bottoms will help, but I have no doubt it will be a battle to get the gown on tomorrow am.

I'll be doing days there with her and R will handle the night shift. What a saint.

If you would, pray for M please. Pray that the ferritin numbers come down drastically after this stay and that her side effects are minimal. (She has painful leg cramps with this medicine) Thanks!

Red Robin Fun

On President's day we met my (R) brother and his family at a Red Robin about half way between our houses. We had fun hanging out and dreaming of our upcoming trip DW.

The pics are with my camera phone and therefore--not the best quality. The balloons helped pass the hour wait for a table. :-)

It's Sad

How a rainy day can take my joy like the sky takes a child's balloon.

Just yesterday I was rejoicing to learn that more families I love have chosen to adopt. I smiled and hummed and sang all day knowing that somewhere in the world, two children who perhaps know hunger or pain or rejection or cold or loneliness will soon know LOVE.

Now, I find myself broken for how many people still don't seem to "get it." Like the man I talked to at length this morning who can't fathom why anyone would adopt. Why anyone would care. He has a different world view that doesn't make room for acts of mercy. At least, it doesn't seem to. He's caught in the deception that life is about finding pleasure for yourself. And interestingly, he's bored. He's unfulfilled.

I wonder how many Jesus followers find themselves bored with life, frustrated by the repetitive motions of daily living, because they are afraid to live boldly for the kingdom of God.

How many miss the chance to feed the hungry in Africa?
How many miss the chance to share the Gospel in Russia?
How many miss the chance to protect the abused girls of India?
How many miss the chance to adopt a precious child in China?
How many miss the chance to give sacrificially and then watch God provide miraculously?

When we stay in our safe places in life, we miss out on the amazing.

God is working out the most beautiful love story in human history, waiting as long as possible to return so that many will be saved.

But how will someone hear in a faraway country if nobody GOES and tells?
And how will someone believe in love if they have never SEEN love in action?

Am I living courageously for the Kingdom? Following Christ at all cost? Are you?

In the end, it won't matter how nice our families are, how many church services we attend, or how many pleasant things we think. When we see Jesus face to face, I believe we will ask ourselves,

Did I love extravagantly?