We’ve all heard radiothons while driving in our car, and if you are like me, the moment they say “radiothon” you typically change the channel…
But today, they got me! Our local country station, WACO 100, is conducting a radiothon to support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. When I first clicked on the station, they were playing Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood.
A few seconds into my hearing it, a dad began a voice-over describing how each night he tucked his young son in bed, laid down with him for a few minutes, and said, “I love you, and when we wake up, I’ll see you in the morning.” His son was a patient at St. Jude’s who after two-and-a-half years, told his dad one night while he was going through their ritual that he was ready. His dad knew what that meant – he had to tuck him in for the last time.
That night, the dad said, “I love you, and when we wake up, I’ll see you in Heaven.” His son closed his eyes, drifted to sleep, and died peacefully during the night.
You can see how they got me. How does anyone make it through that?
I can’t even begin to guess. Coach says I’m a bit of a creepy, sleep stalker…I love to take pictures of the kids when they are sleeping and don’t know I’m there. I love to see their precious faces, hear SonShine snore like his dad, and Angel Girl mumble and smile in her sleep.
I also love seeing them stretch and beg for 5 more minutes when I wake them up in the morning. I love how on a “stay home day” they snuggle close to me on the sofa as soon as they wake up, and their little bodies are so warm and toasty they feel like a walking furnace.
I love talking to them on the way to school, hearing about their days on the way back home, and nagging them to finish homework, shower, and pick up their rooms at night.
I love tucking them in and going through our ritual which is very much like the dad who was the voice on the radiothon this morning.
So, yes – they got me, and Coach and I are now the proud contributors of $20 a month to St. Jude’s because for the life of me, I can’t imagine how that man was strong enough to tuck in, say good night, and walk out of that room for the last time.
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