An Unintended Wish...Answered

So, I have always been up for helping out a good cause - particularly if there is an opportunity to have fun, learn something new about myself or to set and meet some challenges that I wouldn't have otherwise entertained in the process. It's always nice when there's a double payoff that way.

I think my first community service gig was when I participated in the "Walk For Hunger". I think I was about 14 or so and I was so excited that I was able to finish all 20 miles. I have completed about7 or 8 more walks for hunger since, along with one breast cancer 3-day event and have volunteered at a retirement home for veterans and a shelter for woman and children. I am vice president of a local charity and have recently become involved in my churches fundraising program as well as the local political landscape. So - you may be wondering, along with my husband, "is there anything that she wouldn't do?" Yeah, if there is one weakness that I have - it's a problem with saying no - especially to good causes.

Another thing about me is I have a huge aversion to death and any mention of it or anything that will even make me think about it. My husband and daughter can't help but laugh at me as I change the channel or flee from the room at the mere mention of anything to do with it crosses the television screen. I am really that bad.

So, both of these major factors being considered, imagine my conflict when a friend requested that I volunteer to help out on an event that's sole purpose is to cater to members of the local chapter of "Make A Wish Foundation". Although I'm always up for helping out ANY good cause, the prospect of being faced with the grim specter of terminally ill children, tore at me and was almost debilitating.

But I am so glad I said yes.

The event took place today and it catered to dozens of seriously ill children and their families. I was really terrified at the thought of interracting with all of those children. I was terrified that they would sense my discomfort. I was terrified that my anxiety would be apparent and my interraction with them would cast a pall over their day. Quite the opposite happened. These kids and their families were absolutely amazing! The place was wall to wall smiles as the children participated in all kinds of activities. They sang and danced, they got their faces painted and did art work. They met Cinderella and Snow White, took pictures with Winnie the Pooh and Power Rangers. They just had a blast and their joy was contagious.

There was this one litte girl that captured the hearts of everyone in attendance. Her name is Lexy and I don't think she was older than 10. Despite her illness, which I presume caused the condition that had her wearing a bandana to compensate for hair loss, Lexy stole the show, literally. She sang and danced and took over the run of the floor. She gave such a vigorous performance for a large portion of the day, you almost forgot that she was ill. Se was such a riot, when she literally stole the show, and the microphone, from the DJ. He referred to her as his partner and she was just truly inspirational with a voice and performance that could rival Hanna Montana. The overall atmosphere was so upbeat that I forgot that we were at a "Make A Wish" event. It truly was a joy and a privilege to be there helping out and have the opportunity to meet all of those kids and families.

At the end of the day, all of us volunteers lined the gangplank in a "goodbye line" to thank all the guests for coming and it was wonderful to see all of them still beaming as they left- even little Lexy as she high-fived us all of the way down the line. It was a valuable experience for me and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.