What a celebration we had yesterday! Kelvin and I started out in the Texas Medical Center at M D Anderson and gave out 1 year worth of parking chips to families there from Emma's Hugs. She lives on...
Yesterday afternoon, we shared a precious dedication ceremony at Wee School with friends and family. Several friends, and the Wee School staff purchased a beautiful drinking fountain for the playground at Wee School in memory of Emma.
Jeanine, one of Emma's therapists, and a friend, began the ceremony with some precious heartfelt words, and finished with a precious story...
The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.
And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"
In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn--not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.
But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise,
"It sure smells pretty, and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."
But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He help it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.
I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.
I sat there and wondered how he mangaged to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.
And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.
We released birthday balloons up to Emma, and had cupcakes, too. I got pictures of Carleigh and Cora at the water fountain, but Luke was too busy!
We went to the cemetary after that and put some yellow roses in Emma's vase. Someone had placed the beautiful vine butterfly and flowers in the photo above in there too. I think I might know who it was...thanks so much, Aunt Terry.
We ended the day with dinner and rides at Kemah. The kids had a ball.
Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers and love. We appreciate you all. You are such a blessing in our lives. I can't imagine life without friends and family to help us through the hard times and celebrate the good.