From my August 2023 Wishful Thinking…
As I was at my desk, reflecting on this visit, I received a message from one of our volunteers, who shared a post about one of our wish kiddos who had passed a couple of days ago. She said she was sure I had seen it but, “just in case,” was forwarding it to me. I hadn’t seen it. Thud. I know this family and this kiddo well. How could I have missed this post? I knew their struggle and tried to stay up on what was happening with them, but more than anything, how could I imagine not seeing this incredible child’s face again? So many thoughts were racing through my head, and that horrible feeling I know too well, helplessness. This kiddo had received a room makeover from us. It was the first time she would have a room to herself as her sibling went to college. We worked with a designer, we made it perfectly her in every detail, and she was thrilled with it. Soon after the wish, she received the double lung transplant she needed and was thriving. Then, a couple of years later, she got COVID, an issue in the transplant community. The meds you need to fight COVID don’t do well with the anti-rejection meds. What a choice to have to make! I can’t imagine, yet there was hope as we deliver that daily. So how could I be reading of a turn for the worse and her ultimate death? I seriously struggled with even the notion of it. All five stages of grief went through me within about five minutes. It’ll take me some time to process this one.
But later that night, it dawned on me as I revisited the day’s events. We talk about granting life-changing wishes but wasn’t my experience at Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada changing my life too? Yes, it has, and it continues to do so. I’m not exaggerating when I say every family has changed my life to some extent. The great part? Another confirmation that I’m the Chief Evolving Officer around here – see that blog post here.
The family above is the Taylor family, led by Mom, Amanda, and Dad, Brandon. Since last August, I have been wondering how we could potentially share their story if they were willing. They were, and the result is this new long-form, four-part series video from us. I hope it’s enlightening and gives you all the feels we went through filming it. The first two parts are listed below. We would love your feedback, so please feel free to comment on YouTube.