Mr. Snowy

A few weeks before Christmas we were coming back to the Ronald McDonald House for the night after a long day at the hospital. The elevator doors opened to the tenth floor and there stood Mr. Snowy; a wonderful white Christmas tree dressed as a snowman welcomed us. The students of Trinity School of Nursing had come here to decorate the tenth floor for the holidays. They put so much time and detail into their work; and I really appreciated it. I went upstairs to the office to find out who I could thank for making our Christmas merry and bright. I told the office staff how much I appreciated everything the staff had done to make our Christmas so special, especially Mr. Snowy. There were so many little things like that happening in the hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, that it was nearly impossible to thank everyone.

Two weeks ago the decorations came down and we missed Mr. Snowy immediately. While we were with Qavah at the hospital all signs of Christmas had disappeared, and the starkness of the hallway reminded me that this is a well-run organization that had to keep moving forward for the sake of keeping the hallways clean and prepared for the next holiday. One night last week we were coming back to the apartment late. It was after midnight when we arrived at our apartment door, and standing proud and tall at the doorway to our apartment stood Mr. Snowy with a sign on his branches.  It was like seeing a friend standing there, and the note was signed by the Ronald McDonald House staff and Trinity School of Nursing. They gave us Mr. Snowy to take home! I think when I set him up next year, I will remember with fondness the many special moments we have had here in Pittsburgh. The people of Pittsburgh deserve to have this institution of healing in their city. They welcome little ones from around the world, and care for their families as they face the toughest challenges in life.

Paul, Kathryn, and I are packing up boxes, feeling more certain day by day that Qavah will be discharged to home next week. Mr Snowy was dismantled and boxed up for the ride home. It is with great love and gratitude that I write this post to remember the people of Pittsburgh who loved us and cared for us particularly through the Christmas season. We are thankful to God for their love and blessing.

Families awoke on Christmas morning to presents outside of the apartment doors

Each door was decorated to reflect Pittsburgh's winter weather

Mr. Snowy

Daddy, I NEED YOU!

Qavah has a common reaction to painfully miserable circumstances. She calls for her Daddy. I had just brought her back to the hospital last night around six o'clock. She was experiencing severe pain in her legs and wrists. The doctors are now looking at her problem from every possible angle, but as I was putting her into her hospital bed, Paul called to see how our day was going. She was moaning and crying, so it became obvious to him that things were not going as well as they were in the morning when we had spoken. I had just put the phone on speaker mode, and Paul heard Qavah cry out, "Daddy, I NEEEEED you!"

Within a couple of hours, Paul packed up his clothes, gassed up the car, stopped at the store for some  snacks, and drove all night to get here at four this morning. We spoke by phone for a good part of the trip so that he would not get sleepy. I looked at him this morning sitting beside Qavah's pillow and stroking her head. I sat across the room on the sofa watching him gaze at her. It was still dark in the hospital room and there was a glow from the nightlight shining on the two of them. I was so touched by that scene and the lengths a Daddy will go to meet the need of a child crying out to him. An idea formed in my mind that became crystal clear. That's what our Heavenly Father promises to do when we cry out for help from Him. 

Oh Lord, because of the scene I witnessed last night in Qavah's room, I can better imagine you coming swiftly to us, and sitting beside us when we call to you. There was no hesitation for an earthly father to run to the aid of his child. How much swifter You are to reach the cry of your children when they call! Thanks be to You dear Father, for keeping your word.

"I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:11-13