Semi lethargic from what I now realize was me over doing it, not the swim after breakfast but the birthday bash celebration itself, as I did less laps. About to head up to my room I hear a knock at the door and go to answer it, that is when I notice my phone on the key table.
To my delight it was the waiter from the banquet hall of the awards, it was his day off and brought me a full cheesecake like the one I enjoyed at the banquet, I gave him a hug, he also had to work yesterday and couldn't attend the bash and donated $29.00 to the cause, his nephew had received one of the toys donated yesterday and has been in hospital before, turns out I visited him my last visit and gave him a autographed hat, he showed me pictures of it, I will go visit him again, he gives me the room number, I also give him my phone number, he told me happy belated birthday and see me soon.
I grabbed my phone and started upstairs, showered and got dressed, checked on how it was charging and decided on braving checking online as I really hadn't been on since my accident, in fact the awards night was the first time I activated the wifi to post to social media for my sponsors.
Wow, turns out I'm trending.
Multiple tags, it's got to be thousands of photos, hashtags of #Moosemonsterbirthdaybash or #Birthdaybashmayham many different tags across all the social media. Looks like it was a huge success, I start replying , type in thank you for coming, supporting the cause, glad you had a good time, do a post to thank all involved, I will post a update once I hear back on the grand total raised, thanks again to all who donated toys, I was trying to catch up on commenting like a gracious host does, when Dad peaked in my door.
"Amber called the house phone, has to cancel today, needs to take her mom to the hospital, she'll let us know when she come back."
"I was going to wait to head in to visit the kids till after physio but what do you say we have some hot chocolate and that delicious cheese cake and head in?"
"Sounds delicious. I'm in." Dad enjoys the visits with the kids, it like he becomes everyone's grandpa, it takes me a a bit of a flashback as growing up we would spend part of the holidays in the Children's wing, Christmas dad was Santa, new years father time, cupid for valentines, the bunny for Easter, we did that as a family, him as a character, mom and I as helpers, toys or candy, special cards and some goodies to the parents and any siblings present at the time.
My parents are my heroes, I learned philanthropy was a way of life, not throwing money at a cause, you live it everyday.
We have our tasty treat and head out, we leave a note for Tony telling him where we are, Note reads : Tony heading to hospital to follow up on donations and visit the kids.
The kids that are able run up to us, showing us the toys received they sing my happy birthday and there is no shortage of hugs, but I see the waiters nephew in bed, not looking well, so I ask the kids if we can make our way over to our lonely friend and of course the kids don't want him alone the pull me over to him.
I noticed all the kids stay around his bed, one little girl speaks up "He didn't look so bad yesterday, we were both here the last time you came before that bad crash" she comes over to me from where she had stood holding his hand on the other side, no other words just gave me a big hug, so I asked if we could all pray, they grabbed each others hands I reached out to grab his, we all prayed for healing, for each one of them to get better and stronger and enjoy their childhood, free from the health issues that brought them here, each let out a amen, and a smile came across that little boys face.
His uncle came over, told me Daniel had a operation last night, his sister didn't tell him before or he would have booked off work, those kids all hugged him at the same time, they know how important support is, I never get over how amazing they are, but I did notice half of them from my visit before.
Dad has us gather together around the bed again Daniel is a little more alert and smiling, we take a picture, we get all the emails and send from dad's phone, The Healing Crew, much love Moose. The parents seem to love it, I tell them I have to go visit a sick adult friend and I will come back next Sunday, they wave singing happy birthday to me again, bless their hearts.
Dad and I head up to Amber's mom's room, her mom is sleeping but she waves us in, we ask if she needs anything, a drink, food and she just smiles and says "I'm fine thanks", I think we both know she's not, Dad mentions he needs a coffee, he may as well get us something to, he is clever, she answered "In that case if you had planned to already then maybe a tea, something soothing please and thank you".
"It would be my pleasure my dear, Moose, Hot chocolate?"
"Yes thank you dad." I move my walker closer to Amber and offer a hug, she just quietly takes my hand and holds it in silence, not saying a word till Fad can back with her tea and she manged a thank you even then it was just silence, holding her hand, drinking our beverages, deep breathing like unspoken prayer, all hoping for the best and fearing the worst.