I do some very part time volunteer work for the Make-A-Wish foundation. A young man (9) that we took to a baseball game last summer just passed away. The family lives in the mountains and could not always be down in Denver to be with him. His father worked construction and was finally working again after several weeks off; his mother had two small girls (3 & 5) to care for and she worked part time at a casino.
This letter was found on his bedstand.
Mom,
I know my being sick has been hard for you and Dad and the girls. I know Dad isn't working much because of the weather and that you don't have much money. So PLEASE don't buy me nothing for Christmas. The candy striper girls here give me lots of stuff so I don't need any. I know that there is no Santa but the girls don't. I have traded some of my snacks from the gray ladies and the little race car for a Pooh bear for Becky. She really loves that Pooh corner stuff and I want you to come get it so you could wrap it up for her for Christmas. Then she will still belive there is a Santa. I can't get any skating things for Carol but I did save some of my candy money from the cards people sended me. Maybe you can get her some skating stuff with it. I only have one more chemo this month and then I get to rest for a while. I love you all and miss you a bunch. See you Saturday.
I love you,
Danny
At the request of the family no last name was used and "Danny" was chosen as a pseudonym.
What else can I say: the spirit of Christmas was alive in the heart of this child. We should all be so lucky to love so truly and so purely.
Christmas won't be quite so bright this year and I will hold my family just that little bit tighter. And I will know that no gift of man will ever equal the love of a child.
This letter was found on his bedstand.
Mom,
I know my being sick has been hard for you and Dad and the girls. I know Dad isn't working much because of the weather and that you don't have much money. So PLEASE don't buy me nothing for Christmas. The candy striper girls here give me lots of stuff so I don't need any. I know that there is no Santa but the girls don't. I have traded some of my snacks from the gray ladies and the little race car for a Pooh bear for Becky. She really loves that Pooh corner stuff and I want you to come get it so you could wrap it up for her for Christmas. Then she will still belive there is a Santa. I can't get any skating things for Carol but I did save some of my candy money from the cards people sended me. Maybe you can get her some skating stuff with it. I only have one more chemo this month and then I get to rest for a while. I love you all and miss you a bunch. See you Saturday.
I love you,
Danny
At the request of the family no last name was used and "Danny" was chosen as a pseudonym.
What else can I say: the spirit of Christmas was alive in the heart of this child. We should all be so lucky to love so truly and so purely.
Christmas won't be quite so bright this year and I will hold my family just that little bit tighter. And I will know that no gift of man will ever equal the love of a child.