During the first few days after Michael was initially diagnosed with leukemia, so many people with official titles and specialized roles, each bearing large binders of paperwork, came through the revolving door to his hospital room that our heads were spinning. I was transported back in time to that first semester away at college when all the freshman information, dorm/campus handbooks, and the textbooks and syllabi for each class were dumped in my lap. The overwhelmed, frightened feeling was similar, but this time the stakes were much, much higher. One pamphlet stood out from the rest: the Make-A-Wish program.
Michael's form of leukemia qualified him to be granted a "wish." Just like you, we'd heard of this organization and the wonderful things it does to bring some hope and joy to a struggling child; now we were to be one of those Make-A-Wish families.
Over the next months, Michael spent quite a bit of time thinking and researching different options. Narrowing down his interests to just one proved to be a challenge. He knew that he didn't want a "thing" that he would likely outgrow and is too shy to really enjoy getting to meet someone or "become someone" (like a St. Louis Cardinal!) for a day, so he knew that he was interested in taking a trip. He was also concerned with making a choice that our whole family would enjoy.
Our wish granters were able to visit with us this week. Michael combined several interests in his wish and is excited to announce that he is headed to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, Kennedy Space Center, and the beach! It should be a week of lots of activity and some relaxation. We aren't sure when Michael will be able to go; we'll leave the timing up to his doctors. Even if he needs to wait a year, he certainly has something to look forward to. It will be several amazing wishes come true!
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