She was a special comfort when I underwent heart surgery at age
17 to repair a congenital defect. I awoke from my first night’s
sleep in the hospital with her crooked smile and almond-shaped eyes
blinking innocently at me two inches from my face.
She was a special comfort when I underwent heart surgery at age 17 to repair a congenital defect. I awoke from my first night’s sleep in the hospital with her crooked smile and almond-shaped eyes blinking innocently at me two inches from my face. She made me laugh and snuggled with me when I hurt. My hospital bed became hers, much to the annoyance of the nurses.
I didn’t know her name, and I still don’t. She was there to have heart surgery too, although her life was much different from mine. She had Down’s Syndrome, and she was my roommate at the big university hospital that scared us both. Our hearts were there to heal and her smile and unconditional friendship did a lot to promote the process.
As I learned this week during a luncheon of the organization Parents Helping Parents ‘every individual has value and something to contribute.’ My hospital friend had the warmth and love of a special child and contributed to my healing.
Parents Helping Parents helps provide support for parents dealing with children with special needs through information, training and sharing a “box of goods.” The “goods” are what each family brings in knowledge and experience to the organization.
Several South County families have found invaluable information and support from PHP including Linda and Greg McNulty, Carrie Fischer, Morgan Hill School Board Member Kathleen Sullivan and Lisa Rivoallon all who attended last week’s luncheon.
The beauty of the luncheon was accented by the voices of the group Choir Connection singing “I am flying to be with you, to be free.” All of the performers were from special needs programs. The singing was deep with heart and soul. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Decked out dads and daughters attended the annual Lana’s Dance Studio father/daughter dance last Friday night that included more than 75 couples with a few dads breaking out the black ties. The girls had the option of wearing one of their previous recital costumes that make great evening wear! The Britton auditorium rocked to girls with lots of dance experience and dads that gave it a good try. What a night for photo opportunities.
Miss Jenny, one of Lana’s staff teachers, was escorted by her papa to the event along with some moms filling in for traveling fathers. It would be great to make this an annual community event to allow more dads to dance with their precious daughters before they’re dancing with them at their weddings.
What stinks? That would be my 15-year-old Labrador who missed a run through at the dog wash on Sunday hosted by the Morgan Hill Dog Owners Group. It was a pooch’s paradise with photos and food with the eventual goal of raising enough money to build an off-leash park in Morgan Hill. A few of the attendees at the event included Murphy, Spot, Pepper, Smoocher and Billy the bulldog all of whom smell much better than my lab.
Ciao for now.
