Ronald McDonald House

I know I have done a post on the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas before. Today I got something from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma. (This region) I have seen the one in Fort Smith that is attached to Mercy. They have four overnight rooms. I have toured it before, I don't remember why in particular though other than I think it was just curiosity.

Recently we have had one storm after another..... It's like we can't catch our breaths in between them.... The most recent storm being the worst of the recent ones started a week ago today and is still going but I think it's moving out, I hope and pray..... It was the worst one in a while because of the implications...... It's bad when I cry in front of other people...... Yet even through it and my fears with it, I was doing my best to remember through it, that no matter what, God will provide a way. And He does. AND has.

Then today I got the request for donation letter with address labels in the mail. You all have probably gotten those before. Yet seeing that it was from the Ronald McDonald House of Arkoma brought it to reality how close we are getting to going back ourselves to Dallas..... My heart is heavy and not just for us. I know there are thousands of families across the country who are like us, some better off, some worse. Yet all of us are familiar with the sights, sounds, smells of hospitals.... That's one thing we all have in common. Many of us have stayed at a Ronald McDonald House at one time or another. Almost all people know of at least one who has stayed at or has seen the campaigns to raise funds for the House charities. "Donate change!" "Save your pop tabs!" type thing.

My own image

My own image

Part of what came in that piece of mail from Arkoma was also  a welcome note that lets the one donating write on the inside about well wishes for comfort, love, strength and peace. The back I took a pic of.

I can remember the first time I stayed at the one in Dallas. It has been just over eight years ago now. It was days before my daughter's first surgery and I was a mess.... The first face I remember meeting there was Norma. I can also remember when I stayed at the new house the first time, about a year later. By then I was used to coming to Dallas. Not always used to the news I would get. My longest stay was 24 days. My daughter had just turned four.

"Fighting your child's illness - and winning." I wish winning was always the case. There are families who don't get to take their baby home..... I still remember vividly the one I stumbled upon the day after my son's first surgery. The PICU..... I still get tears in my eyes when I think of that day.....

Yet the day is fast approaching that we have to go back for another surgery. He will be a week out from his second birthday getting his second major surgery..... And I'm not ready.... I don't think I ever will be. What will be the new experiences in this one is the type of surgery as we are first timers with a chiari decompression but also that it is at Children's Medical Center and not Medical City. I'm used to both facilities, A LOT but never been inpatient at CMC. I hope we get a view of the downtown skyline from our room. I want to finally get a really good shot of that skyline at night.

I do have a shirt for surgery day though.

Vinyl Me This made this for me.

I can't wait to wear it! It's too bad I can't wear it for church Sunday and for my community band concert. ;) In all seriousness, even before the surgery is here, we have two sleep studies to get done, pediatrician check-ups, one minor appointment and state Special Olympics. (My daughter qualified in the stand and jump on track and field!) I can't wait for that weekend honestly. It will be just a mother/daughter weekend because she won't have us the time we are in Dallas this trip......

I think that's the hardest part in the journey, having to leave the other kid(s) behind to take care of the needs of the other. Having two with special needs makes the journey a little more unique in a way because it's like they take turns on who has to be away from either mom and or dad.... The flip side though, I think they will both grow up with more appreciation of what family really is.

And in all reality, family isn't always blood or even doing "typical" family things. It's the memories that count.

You never know when you will need a Ronald McDonald House for you or a loved one and I can say that we have many good memories at the one in Dallas, even if our reasons for being there weren't ideal.

Never take things for granted....


Blessings!
~ Special Momma ~