Children's Hospital

What a day and it’s only half over. I decided to give platelets (partly selfish on my part). I saw this psa from the LA Kings and thought it would be a good idea, and maybe I can win tickets to a playoff game. Well, they checked my veins and they didn’t feel they were “good enough” to do platelets, but I could give blood if I wanted. This meant I didn't qualify for the drawings they were going to have. Oh well, since I was there, I decided to give blood anyway.

Even before this time, as I entered LA Children's Hospital , I was amazed at immenseness of this place and I saw more kids who needed the care of this place than I have ever seen. I have just a few friends with special needs kids and I don’t even have a clue what they go through when their children have “episodes” or weaken from their disease. The only way I have even learned a little about this is through Jeannett. How my heart hurts reading her story. I’ve been so blessed to have healthy children (who by the way are 30 and 28 – Oy!). I’d like to think that I could be like Jeannett KNOWING that God is Good – No Matter What. I DO KNOW that.  And her kids are amazing. I don’t know them up close and personal, but I feel I know them through her blogs and pictures and stories. With God’s strength, she is doing good by her kids. And her husband, Andy, right there by her side, is an amazing dad.

I walked around a little bit, bought a shirt and a Grande Iced Skinny Caramel Macchiato. I watched as parents were pushing their kids in their wheelchairs, as a young teenage girl walked the halls with, I think a volunteer, while pushing her IV next to her and, while giving blood, a mom with her daughter was giving blood next to me. She was from Long Beach and when she comes up for her daughter’s doctor appointments, gives blood when she can. Her daughter sat there next to her in her wheelchair, with barely a peep out of her.  Cute little gal wearing a headband with a bow, pink striped socks and flower dress.  I’m one of those people who doesn’t know how to start a conversation to find out their story and I’m mad at myself that I didn’t stick around a little longer to get to know her. Made me think more about volunteering at CHLA…even if I do hate driving in LA traffic and it would take me an hour to get there (depending on traffic). It’s only a half hour away, said it would take about 45 minutes and it still took me an hour to get there, and it was hot outside. But, the more I think about it, the more I want to explore this option because it would be worth the drive.

So, it’s been a productive day and I look forward to seeing how God might lead me as far as volunteering at CHLA or maybe something closer – it would be a blessing not to have to drive. J