I have a giveaway going on! If you have kids or know anyone who does you should totally enter! :)
As Jellybean's first birthday (Eek - Hold me!) and Christmas are fast approaching I am often asked what we are getting him for presents. Because you know the kid doesn't have enough toys already...
Jellybean's arrival was unexpected, early and terrifying. I was reminded again how tiny he was last night as I was making dinner and I realized the chicken I was baking weighed more than he did at birth! Jellybean was transferred shortly after his birth to a NICU about 40 miles from our home and spent the next two weeks there as a grower and feeder. I checked out of the birth hospital 2 days after an emergency C-section and spent the next 12 days living in the Ronald McDonald house on the NICU hospital campus. We can honestly say we would not have made it through that ordeal without the Ronald McDonald house. Joey and I will be eternally grateful for the Ronald McDonald house being there for parents like us. Joey was still able to go to work every day and then come back to the Ronald McDonald house to spend time with Jellybean. I was comforted in knowing I was never more than 5 minutes away.
So as soon as we were released from the hospital and we checked out of the Ronald McDonald house we knew we wanted to be able to give back. Although we hope to never have to use their services again, we wanted someone else whose sweet child is unfortunately stuck in the hospital to be able to have a place to come back to and relax. The way we plan on doing that is simple - every Christmas and every birthday one of Jellybean's presents is going to be a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Share a Night Campaign. $15 so that another family can have what we did. It’s a simple gesture and doesn't require any extra work from us. I also plan on putting a little blurb about it in our Christmas newsletter so others may be inspired to give to them also. As all of you start your Christmas shopping and start getting sucked into the mayhem that is the holidays I hope you to will think of donating to your local Ronald McDonald house - you never know when you may end up needing their services yourself!
This post is linked up with Shell as part of Pour Your Heart Out Wednesdays.
5 comments:
I've had many friends who have benefitted from Ronald McDonald House. These facilities are fabulous, and your idea to 'pay it forward' is great.
I think that is a great thing to do!
What a perfect, beautiful gift. I love it. And I love how well everything has turned out--that's the best part of the story.
Perfect reminder, and a beautiful thing to do to help others. After my brother died (on Thanksgiving) we delivered goods to the waiting room we were in all month, because we knew how we felt ourselves. Paying it forward is awesome!
My cousins almost lost their infant daughter and also made use of the local Ronald MCDonald house. She's now a thriving 8 year old and they help organize meals to feed families while they stay at the local chapter. Such a wonderful place!
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