Wishing Stars
Finally, some answers to the question I’ve heard literally hundreds of times over the past few days: What can I do to help?
First, the practical stuff: My friend Julie will create a plan for meal deliveries so watch for that in your inbox. These need not be big or fancy meals; just enough for me and Mark (as Austin, if he’s able to eat at all, will be on a restricted diet, and Braedan will likely eat elsewhere) and we won’t often be in our house at the same time, so dinners should be something we can split up and heat or reheat depending on when we actually have a moment for mundane things like food. I’m allergic to shellfish (and have a strong dislike of mushrooms) but other than that, anything is fair game. And don’t worry about dessert — I do not intend to take those “fattening up” posts literally!
Next, playdates: Breadan will need to be picked up from school some days next week. My parents are in town and have a pretty open schedule but, since he’ll already be sleeping there, it seems more fun for him to get to go to a friend’s house. I’ve had many offers over the years from people willing to host him, but, without offending anyone, we do want him to be as comfortable and familiar as possible, so will try to accept only those offers from his already established buddies. He finishes school at 3:05 on all days but Tuesday, when dismissal is at 2:05. His teacher has said he is welcome to stay with her in the classroom for an extra twenty minutes or so if your own child’s pick-up creates a conflict.
And now for the less practical but just as important stuff: Back in October 2007, I decorated Austin’s hospital room with “wishing stars” which dangled from the ceiling and contained individual wishes sent from friends (and strangers) near and far. Some were funny, some heart-warming, all sincere. And he loved them. We used to lay together in his hospital bed and he would reach up to his stars as they twirled and spun above us through those long and sleepless nights.
Given that wishing stars seem particularly appropriate at this time of year, I will once again be hanging them, both from the ceiling and on the artificial tree we’ll bring with us next week. I am happy to transcribe people’s wishes if they want to send them along electronically, but I also welcome homemade stars (the more glittery and colorful, the better) from as many of you as possible. Drop them off at our house or with Braedan at school, and if you are a pre-school family, leave them with Lola (in Mrs. B’s morning class) for her parents to deliver to us.
The wish I will write on my own star is one I hold tight in my heart for both my children. It may seem simple at first, but it requires the attainment of many many milestones along the way. And that is that both my boys get the chance to be happy grandfathers.
If that wish comes true, then we really will be the luckiest.
I will be thinking about Austin all Monday morning and wishing for the best!!!
You and all of your boys are so strong! We will be sending positive thoughts and wishes your way.
Hi Krissy,
I’m Tricia (A Novel Approach) we attended the Cincinnati Writer’s Digest workshop back in the spring together. I’ve checked in frequently but never left a message. Guess I was just waiting for an appropriate moment. I guess this is it. Big wishes headed your way for you and your little one. I watched my great niece battle neuroblastoma when she was only 11 months old. Today she is a happy, healthy three-year-old with no evidence of disease (NED), so I know wishes come true. Best of luck in the coming weeks and know that even people you don’t know are thinking of you.
Hi Krissy, good luck this week! So many people are holding you all in our thoughts and prayers. By the way, when we used to spend endless days and nights at Rainbow, we often stopped at Aladdin’s at Fairmount and Cedar for Middle Eastern takeout – great rollup sandwiches and salads – always a nice treat, fairly cheap, and easy to pick up. Just a thought. Miracles do come true – keep that in your thoughts – the miracle might come down the road in time – but they do come true… Barbara