I never thought it would be possible for a hospital lobby to hold so many memories.
Fifteen years ago, Sarah and I spent many hours in this lobby as we came and went from all of her transplant-related appointments.
Over the years, we’ve been back many times for follow up visits.
At about five years post-transplant, her cancer-related visits stopped, although she did go back a few times over the years for hearing and speech appointments.
After one of those appointments last year, we got a chance to spend a few minutes with Dr. Driscoll, her transplant doctor.
And then last week?
We were back in that same lobby yet again, participating in the WRAL/Duke Children’s Twenty-Fifth Annual Radiothon.
The little girl who first walked through those lobby doors as a seriously ill seven-year-old was now walking through them as a healthy, accomplished twenty-four-year-old. What a journey it’s been!
As soon as we arrived and got checked in, Sarah added her name to the official Radiothon poster.
And then before we knew it, it was time to make our way over to the interview chair to chat with the WRAL folks.
After we finished, one of the radio hosts asked us if we did a lot of interviews, so I took that as a compliment.
We just got word yesterday that the Radiothon raised over $606,000.00. THAT is a chunk of change! Sarah and I were so honored to get to be a small part of that great effort.
There were only two (very small) small disappointments in the day.
The first had to do with the famous CAT Scan photo. Over the years, I have taken many photos of Sarah in front of this picture which hung outside the pediatric radiology area.
We were looking forward to getting a new photo but discovered that they had just remodeled that hallway and the photo was no longer there. Sarah said philosophically, “Well, it had a good run.”
We got her picture here instead.
Another disappointment was that we missed seeing Dr. Driscoll by just ten minutes. Oh well!
Other than that, Sarah and I had such a great day together, even though I took a wrong turn leaving Raleigh and we ended up wandering for a very long time through pouring rain and rush hour traffic–two of my least favorite driving conditions.
When I apologized to Sarah for the delay (she had to get up at 3 a.m. the next day) she replied, “It’s not a problem. And the company’s good.”
All through the fourteen hour day we had such great conversations, talking about everything from the smallest things to the largest things, from the serious to the goofy. And I was reminded again of how much I love this girl of mine and how thankful I am for these days we are still able to spend together.
we are getting ready to see two see more of our kids and four of their kids!
On Friday, Sarah, Steve and I will travel to Charlotte from Manteo while Nathan and his clan will drive to Charlotte from Florida. We’ll hang out there till Sunday before coming back to Manteo for the week.
It’s funny–Nathan had texted me last week to ask when the nine of us would be opening presents and I stared at the phone for a full minute trying to think which nine people he was referring to.
And then a light bulb went off. Our tribe is now made up of NINE people! I realize that is not a lot for many people but for me, it seems like a whole lot. It was quite an eye-opener that Steve and I, who started off together 38 years ago, have more than quadrupled our number.
NINE is a beautiful number.
We were about to head to bed Saturday night when Steve happened to walk past a front window and notice seven emergency vehicles lined up outside the house with every light flashing. Even though he was already in his pajamas, he went down to investigate–partly out of neighborly curiosity and partly because he’s a pastor and never knows if he might be needed in some capacity.
I was lurking inside the house, waiting for him to come back in and impart to me some sort of dreadful news about a catastrophe unfolding.
But instead?
He told me about a woman with end-stage cancer who lives a few houses up the street with her 4-year old son. The little boy loves flashing lights and emergency vehicles and he also loves Santa Claus. And so, lo and behold, Santa Claus decided to trade in his sleigh for a fire truck and pay an official trip to this boy’s house Saturday night, accompanied by all the hoopla and flashing emergency lights that the town of Manteo could muster.
And a little boy, laden down by sorrow, was given a reason to smile.
Sometimes Christmas doesn’t always come in the form of sparkling gifts and shining trees. Sometimes it comes in the form of a man driving a firetruck, making sure those emergency lights are whirling for all they are worth. He and his fellow drivers lit up up the Saturday night sky and gave that little guy an experience he will long remember.
These are from our children’s program last week, always a fun time.
The DeHart girls sang a Christmas song. I always love getting to put songs together with these wonderful young ladies.
We’ve been doing music with them for a very long time!
And now let me wish a merry, merry Christmas to all of you wonderful, faithful blog readers who have brightened many a day for me throughout these past 17 years.
I’ll see you on the other side of Christmas.
Love the story of the little boy and the fire trucks and Santa. What a special memory he’ll have to share in the future.
What fun being on the radio! I’m sure you gals rocked it!
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!
Krista,
Fire trucks and radio and Christmas. Quite a lineup!
Hope your day was the merriest.
Beautiful stories and oh so much love. Merry Christmas to your your lovely family of nine. May it be a blessing to all.
Catherine,
Our “lovely family of nine” wishes you a Merry Christmas, too!
Merry Christmas to y’all. Safe travels for both families and vehicles as you journey to Charlotte and back to Manteo. May the days be filled with wonderful blessings and memories. Looking forward to pictures of the two celebrations. God bless.
Ann,
Thanks so much for your sweet words. Happiest Christmas to you and Jim.
A blessed and Merry Christmas to the Smith family. What a wonderful surprise for that little guy,, probably more flashing lights than he had ever seen. Love that CAT scan picture – yes, it probably has run it’s course. Maybe they put it somewhere else to bring a smile to someone else’s face. So glad you and Sarah could spend some quality time together. She seems to be a very laid back young lady. I remember several years ago when my son was in a car accident – not his fault, but in waiting for the police he was sitting on the hood of his car. That was noteworthy I guess because the police wrote that in their book. Not sure what they thought he should be doing. Sarah would probably do the same thing – not pacing up and down. May you have a wonderful time with Nathan, Megan and kids.
Sharyn,
Hood-sitting in the face of an accident is definitely a calm thing to do. The police were probably more used to seeing people very riled up. Good for him!
Merry Christmas to the Smiths! Your gift exchange with the 9 of you should be a blast with 4 little ones although I doubt the baby will do much opening.
Your story about the fire trucks gave me goosebumps! Such a sad time for that little boy. Kudos to the people driving all the emergency vehicles making this young boy’s night a little happier.
Phyllis,
No, Andrew will probably not open much. 🙂 But the older three will have a ball!
Yes, I was also thankful for the emergency vehicle drivers; I’m sure it made their day to get to do something like that for that little boy.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, dear Becky!
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Jenna–and to you! Thankful for you and the beautiful way to live and tell your story.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!! What a precious, heartwarming story about emergency responders taking time out of their day to bring joy to a little boy. Children’s Christmas programs are always so sweet – thanks for sharing the ones from your church. I’m looking forward to all your pictures from the gathering of NINE!! (And your visit in Charlotte) Again, Merry Christmas!
Sue Ellen,
Yes, there’s a lot going on here, there, and in everyone’s lives! Have a blessed Christmas.
And, of course. the big kids too!!
A very merry Christmas to the entire Smith clan!! Have a wonderful and safe trip and enjoy those littles!! 🙂
Thanks, LeeAnne, We are looking forward to seeing the whole crew–bigs and littles, both.
Loved all the parts of this post! So many good things. Proud of you Smiths! Angels on your bumpers when traveling and lots of joy and memories made this Christmas!
Love, Deb
Deb,
Bumper Angels are always a good thing. Enjoyed seeing your photos on FB. Much love!
Merry Christmas, dear friends! Always a blessing to see the miracle of Sarah!
Guerrina,
The miracle of Sarah. I love that!
Merriest Christmas to you, dear lady.
Merry Christmas! Enjoy the time with your children / grandchildren!
Reagan,
We are definitely looking forward to the happy chaos of grandkids. Just two more days!
Thank you for sharing your journey. What poise Sarah showed in the interview photo. From a free LA Times paper that came years ago I started following Tommy Bennett in his Duke journey. I went on to read of so many. I still follow your and Sarah’s journey and Harmen Prakken in the Netherlands (even got to meet them in 2011). Amazing to see God’s hand working in Sarah. Merry Christmas to you and yours and enjoy those grandkids.
Patti,
I do remember Tommy Bennett and followed his story for a long time. Isn’t it interesting how one person’s story leads to another . . . and another? I love that.
And thank you for following along with us so long. Such a blessing to have Smithellaneous friends like you.