Labor of Love ...

Ever since leaving CHLA,or actually while we were still there,I have searched for ways to give back.Lots of ideas.Few have come to fruition but some are coming together.Like this one.Most are hindered by funds but I know,eventually that will change.I hope to gather as I go,others who wish to contribute their time,talent and treasure to help me.I know it will all happen but you see,patience has never been one of my strong suits.Today,thanks to my incredible family,a beginning.And it feels great.My sister in-law Lisa and niece Michelle, headed to Jo Ann Fabrics with me to get this new project off the ground.A craft/fabric store is seriously out of my comfort zone.They were very patient with me and extremely helpful and enthusiastic, as I wandered aimlessly for the right fleece.I would pull out one,proclaim it the one and then just as quickly replace it in search of another.Finally,after what I thought mistakenly would be a easy task,two,or rather four fabrics were picked and purchased.Upon entering the door at home, Michelle was at it without pause.That girl is focused like no other.Lisa jumped in and before long they emerged with one blanket completed.After,swimming,dinner and an unexpected jaunt to watch Jessica play in her indoor soccer league,we dug in and began another blanket.But when I say we, that is not entirely true because this blanket was done primarily by no other than my incredible HUSBAND Mark.The guy is a saint I tell you.He finished the blanket at 12:10 am,took the dog out and went to bed,only to have to wake up at 4:30am to take his sister Lisa and Michelle to the airport.I have always said that he is absolutely my better half.As a side note,I feel the need to mention,Mark DID NOT work on the Lakers blanket.His blanket was the darling girl one,which makes it all the more special to me.So this week, two blankets will be delivered.One to our buddy Klein, who is still in the BMT unit and the other to a sweet girl battling leukemia for the 2nd time.The brainchild behind this came during our extensive time on the 4th floor.Although we were recipients of many,many generous gifts,it was a blanket, like these ones, that really touched ours, as well as most of the other families, hearts the most.These blankets were made with love and filled with prayers of healing.They were objects to wrap ourselves and most especially our children in,during times of great stress and sickness.They were fresh and new,bright and beautiful and were often just what was needed, at just the right time.I hope this project morphs into something much bigger.My dream is to do this in honor of Zoey and have something printed to go inside the bags to lend hope to other families by the example of our small daughter's courageous journey.I have had a few unselfish friends offering their help get this thing off the ground and eventually, I'd like to make deliveries to the floor,say 4 times a year,to the 30 or so patients on 4E.Lofty expectations but I think it's entirely doable.So there it is,that's my dream and I'm sticking to it!