The House That Love Built

So today is Ash Wednesday. I almost cannot believe that we are already into the month of March - nearly halfway through it. It seems for our family, winter just passed us by (not that it's a bad thing, as Spring does give us so much hope). We barely got through Christmas, really. Liam woke up the day after Christmas with coughing and wheezing, and he went from that illness to the onset of diabetes. From that moment, everything just stopped, or started, depending on how you look at it.

This time last year, I was giving up sugar and red meat. But this year, choosing to give up something just didn't seem like enough, or like the right thing to do. Our eating habits have changed tremendously since Liam's diagnosis, so it isn't even a sacrifice at this point. It's a must.

When Liam was in the hospital, we were kindly offered a room at the Ronald McDonald House, just a block or two from the hospital. The thing to know is, Macon was hit with a terrible ice/snow storm the morning Liam was admitted. So, driving back to Jackson to get belongings (as we had NO idea we were at the ER the night before with a diabetic child and wouldn't go home for days!) just wasn't possible. Before checking in to the RMH, I had no idea what to expect. I had visited the one in Louisville for a college assignment, but other than that, I had not really experienced the house. When we arrived, we were given a quick tour (and I can't tell you how anxious I was to be away from Liam for that 30 minutes, but I think the STAFF understand, so they make the process very quick and efficient). I was blown away with the services they provide, completely free of charge or by donation. Even during the tour, amidst all the emotions of that first day, I knew I would be back to GIVE back.

During the tour, I observed the enormous kitchen, fully stocked with anything and everything you could ever need. Their goal at the RMH is to have a hot meal every night of the year. That's a big goal, really. I mean, think of all the weather-related issues there can be, or the holidays, etc. to have a group or individual committed to cover each evening. It's a big deal. But even during that snow storm, they were preparing ahead and bringing in TONS of extra food in case of an emergency. Churches were bringing in extras. It was amazing.

So, each night, an individual or a group comes in and gladly prepares a meal. One night it was 4-5 different soups and grilled cheeses - perfect for the cold weather. The day we checked out, the counter was full of Stauffer's enchilada dinners thawing out with bags of rice to make a Mexican dinner. Sweet tea is brewed all day so there's never a shortage. All the comforts of home. And all of it is done with love.

So, this Lent, we immediately knew what we wanted to do, and that was to give back to those families staying at the RMH. The meal was so appreciated when we were there, but more than that, the friendly, smiling faces we saw each night after a long day at the hospital meant so much. You just can't put a price on that. They would genuinely ask about our child and how he was doing. And they really cared.

So, we are committing ourselves to going once a week during Lent and hopefully thereafter to cook a (hopefully) delicious, hot meal. This is a house that is built by donations and volunteers, but most importantly, love. There is a full laundry facility, a library, a playroom for siblings, a game room, a treadmill, a dining room, living room, quiet room...the list goes on and on.

In a time of great trauma for our family, it quite possibly saved us.