Stories from the Heart

Mabel

The image of my daughter blowing out her birthday candles brings tears to my eyes. That’s what she did this year for the first time ever… on her 17th birthday. Why? Because Mabel has cystic fibrosis and she never had enough breath or energy to do so before.

I’m Steve Meadows and my daughter Mabel recently had a double lung transplant at Duke. Now she is experiencing life as a normal healthy teen. Mabel’s journey was a long one. Thanks to the love and support of the Ronald McDonald House community, we now see Mabel blowing out candles and breathing easy.

The folks at the RMHD played an important part in Mabel’s journey. We were never alone. They supported us and took care of all our needs so we could focus on Mabel. The RMHD is truly the House that Love Built! They are improving the lives of children…one family at a time.

Help a child have a better life…please support the Ronald McDonald House.

Steve Meadows

Victory and loss

Each victory, large and small, is celebrated for the life that it brings. Each setback and bad day is met with a determination that is similar to a lioness defending her cubs. Each loss is felt deeply, in ways that words are too shallow to express. How do you put into words how you are touched by each victory, setback, and loss. How do you explain to someone who has not experienced it, how enriched our lives are by being around each child, a hero in their own right who has shared their hearts and souls with us. We are better people because our paths have crossed. We are more determined because of the quiet determination with which they face their own battle.

Today is an example of the importance of the Love that makes up RMH. It brings home how if you look past the old building, the sagging cabinets, and the worn carpet, you will KNOW why Love is the center piece of what goes on here.

This morning we received word that a warrior who is nine ended her struggle. She no longer is in pain. She has left us. We grieve her passing. The hurt is very deep. Knowing that her special spirit will not roam the halls devastates. But, in our grief, if you concentrate, if you listen intently, you can still hear her laugh in the house. You can still hear her giggle. If you close your eyes and look inward you can still see her small, innocent smile. You can hear her quiet voice echo through your mind. She enriched us, and her impact will be with us as long as we continue to remember how well she fought her fight.

This afternoon, we lost another warrior. She was five years old. She came here from a country that is very far away. She did not even speak English. But her smile could melt the hardest of hearts. As you watched her play, and laugh, and try very hard to get across what she was doing the effect was enchanting. She and her mother were working hard to learn English, and to teach us their language. It was amazing to watch the language that kids have which goes beyond verbal communication. To watch her being a care free child was refreshing. Unfortunately, as they were treating her for a heart problem, things deteriorated. After a gallant battle, she slipped away. Her mother and several friends were there with her, some of the friends she had made at RMH. If you listen, her laughter still echoes, and you can still see her grin. You can hear her refer to ducks as "Quack Quacks".

Even in these hurtful moments, there are things we can take away which will help the memories of our friends live on. We were touched by their lives, hurt deeply in their passing, and changed by the opportunity to be part of their journey.  Words can not adequately express times like this. Words are too shallow, too lacking, just not enough.

Unless you experience these journeys, what I have written is just words.
If you have joined in the journey, then you too are touched by the lives of
two angels who we had the honor of meeting.

May we learn from their spirit,
and pass on their love for life to everyone we meet.