A Night of Appreciation

Last night I had the opportunity to be the Guest Speak at a Volunteer Appreciation Event for Chai LifeLine. I decided to wing the speech, however, I will not do that again. The Volunteers at Chai LifeLine are beyond wonderful. Volunteers range from Ian's Camp Simcha Special counselors and staff to Becca's big sister. Volunteers have brought us dinner when Ian was in the hospital, come visit both kids at the house to play games as well as just sit and watch movies. We have had volunteers decide they want to celebrate birthdays with the kids and show up with ice cream cake and we end up in a food fight as well as a bon fire to celebrate the kids birthdays. For those who live out of town or are in school out of town, they will make sure to visit when in Baltimore. We have skype calls with those who are away or even those who are local who just can't get here. Becca's big sister, Rachel, is wonderful, she does things with Becca that we just don't have the time to do. She takes her to movies, will take her to do paint your own pottery, making candles, talking to her about things and getting her to share things she does not share with Brian or I. Ian's big brother, Natanel, comes once a week to spend time with Ian....he has been a trooper learning how to play video games...something he has not done before. They just hang out. It is wonderful to see the smiles on the kids faces and the joys they bring to us as a family. Ian's counselor at Camp Simcha Special, Danny, has been a wonderful asset to our journey. At camp, Ian has done things he has never done before or things he has not done in close to 5 years. Last summer, they managed to get Ian into the pool and "swimming"...something he has not done in years. He used to be a fish, even in the bath tub he would want his "play" time and he would swim. When Ian is at camp, he is more active then he is all year. He comes home from camp and spends the next few weeks in bed...doing nothing...well wait he does that all year anyway. All of the volunteers have become part of our family....part of our village and we are grateful for each and everyone of them and what you all bring to us. Thank you.