Perspective

I had a stressful trip across half the United States. I had items mysteriously disappear. My Jeep and my Cavalier broke down within a day of each other. My Cavalier broke down the day after it was fixed. Money is tight. I have stressful issues in my life right now.

Hold up....STOP! I'm whining about my carS (yes..PLURAL), my money, and my things. How selfish am I?! I received a healthy dose of perspective last night administered by The Rainbow House of Omaha. 

As part of the Southwest Optimist Club I am occasionally given the chance to volunteer at various charities in Omaha and about a month ago I volunteered myself, D, and Popop to make dinner for 30 and serve it to the families at The Rainbow House. For those of you who don't know, The Rainbow House is our version of a Ronald McDonald House that provides a place to stay for families who have children at Children's Hospital.

No biggie, right? Baked ziti for 30? Popop handled like a CHAMP! Transported it, carried it in, popped it in the ovens to keep it warm and then waited for the people to flow in.


Katie & Cameron



Our first guest was Katie and her family. Katie's son, Cameron, was at Children's to have his leg broken in 2 places and have a rod placed in it. Cameron has osteogenesis imperfecta a.k.a. brittle bone disease. Cameron had his first broken bone before he left the hospital after being born and has many since then. He is 5 years old and one of the bravest boys I've ever met. If you ask Katie, she'll tell you that he argues that he can walk but he's really just started to take his first steps, that he's smart as a whip, and goes to school when he's not in for treatments. After sitting down with Cameron for less than 5 minutes he informed me that he's a "Master Beyblader" and he is strong because he's battled many Beybladers before and won all of them.



Master Beyblader, Cameron



Cameron is less than 3 feet tall and has bones that break if he lays down the wrong way but Cameron didn't complain about the cast that went all the way up to his thigh or the multiple incisions made to help the doctors break his bones to place metal rods in, or the fact that he'll never play soccer, hockey, basketball, or just run without Katie catching her breath worried that he'll fall and break something. Cameron ate his Lucky Charms (marshmallows first!) and chatted with me like there was nothing wrong at all.

We had the opportunity to serve a few families that night (most nights dinner is served buffet style) but Cameron and Katie reminded me how lucky I am to have such trivial things to worry about. I stress over money, cars, small annoyances but never over the health of a loved one. I never have to worry if we'll be spending today in the ER or try to figure out how I'm going to get a 5 year old little boy into the tiny bathroom on an airplane. I'd like to give a big shout out to Cameron and Katie; they are my heroes. They are stronger than I am and a reminder of how easy it is to stress over the little things when there are much more important things to worry about.

Let's send Cameron and Katie some encouraging love notes by clicking the hyperlink. I'm sure they would appreciate it!



Cameron & J at the Rainbow House 9.12.11