The Stay at Home Mother

Yesterday I visited the Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver. I wanted to tell them all about Enterprising Moms Network and how we can help raise money and more awareness for the House and what it does for Families and sick children.

I have donated proceeds before to them from the annual Vancouver Mompreneur Event, as I so strongly believe in what they do. However, what I came away with - was a gift that was so unexpected...

They offered to give me a tour of the House. I was shown pictures of all the sick children on their wall - and ALL of them were smiling despite their own serious health issues that they were going through. One beautiful young girl on the board who had a big grin on her face had just passed away I was told - two weeks ago.

I can't even begin to imagine the heart break, the absolute ache in a parent's heart to say good bye to their own child. And for a child to face that at such a young age - we as adults don't want to - the sheer unfairness of it all.

"Is it a sad house?" I asked Connie, who is the Director of Family Services. " No" - she replied firmly- she said they do have sad days - but celebrate all the good things and keep the house a place where the families can be themselves and be embraced by all the other families. It's a home away from home.

Some of the children and families are there from nine months to a year and beyond. All live out of town and need a place to stay while their child receives treatment from the Vancouver Children's hospital. There are many children without hair, and with tubes and IVs....its just par for the course.

I was taken through the home, and saw families sitting together, laughing and playing games. I saw various areas of refuge for children and parents alike to be on thier own, relax and above all else, feel normal.

I was told they have things donated to them like tvs, computers, pop, paper towel - they stock the home with all the essentials for families so they don't have to think about anything other than getting themselves to the House.

You can imagine what it would feel like to find out your child has a serious illness and that you have to pack up everything and go to the children's hospital for ongoing treatment for your child. Things like a mortgage, jobs, all fall to the way side. Connie tells families to just get themselves to the House and they will do the rest for them. "I don't want them to have to worry about paying us or worrying about details....we have all the linens, food, and even things like tampons for the moms" she told me....Yep, all the details have been covered - it truly is a safe haven for these families.

I was shown a few of the rooms that families stay in - each one had its own special "theme" and can be adopted annually by a company who pays a special donation for its upkeep. There was the "under the sea" theme room, and the "bee room" filled with little buzzing bees - all bright - all cheery - and filled with love.

Right now they are working on getting free long distance for the families so they can phone other members who are out of town to give them updates on their child's health. What a wonderful thing that would be for the families to have and not have to worry about the cost to do it.

If anyone has ideas to get these families long distance - shoot me an email. I was thinking either Telus or Shaw shoud step up to the plate and do it - but the other thing is also looking at raising funds for calling cards.

Yesterday I walked away with a love and appreciation that I never expected - for the House -and for life. It's my mission to help as best as I can to raise money, and raise more awareness for this wonderful non profit organization that makes the lives of children and their families just a little bit easier - with a lot of love.