Special Day
May 8, 1999
Dear Friends of the Heart,
I just had to write a note to share our special day with you. It started out
rather crazy because a project I have worked on for three years came to a
climax today. It was so exciting to see all the hard work done by a
wonderful artist and myself come to fruition. The boys were great as they
helped us unload the truck to the best of their ability and were quite proud
of the work which they inspired.
After we left the storage facility, I took the boys and our helpers out to
get some lunch. We were all starving after working so hard, but still had
other things on our list of things to do, so we ate and prepared to leave
rather quickly. When I got to the mini-van, it wouldn't start.
The mini-van was dead.
I am no mechanic. I just had the mini-van worked on three days ago because
the hose that holds the power steering fluid had a huge leak in it and I was
afraid the engine would catch on fire (this happened with an old Buick Frank
and I owned when we first got married). So here I was in the Wendy's parking
lot with four kids inside, wondering what in the world I was going to do.
Had the mechanics accidentally loosened something when they worked on the
power steering tubes? I opened the hood and looked inside (what for? I
don't know! lol) and nothing looked out of place to me, but then what do I
know?! I tried to start the mini-van again. Nothing. I walked around to
the front of the mini-van and who should approach me? An old man with a
white beard and mustache.
I hate to admit it, but I was a little scared. He carried a red plaid coat
and looked disheveled. He appeared homeless. He looked concerned and told
me that he was a mechanic and would look under the hood with me. What did I
have to lose? I let him look and wondered what I was going to do. I had
already called my husband, but we only have one vehicle and I had dropped him
off at home so he could clean up before I took him back to the hospital to
work (he's a nurse). He told me that he'd walk up to the Wendy's (about 2
miles) and try to fix the mini-van.
Now, I'm no genius, but I figured that it must be something with the battery
or the alternator. The gentleman poked around a bit and assured me it was my
battery. I could smell the alcohol on his breath, but bless his heart--he
really tried to help me, and he was right! He waved down the next couple we
saw and asked them to give me a jump. Luckily I had jumper cables!
I guess one never knows exactly what form an angel will take.
The boys and I took our helpers and my husband to their destinations and had
the battery checked out. It was fine. Phew! Then it was on to the
bookstore. We got some wonderful books as presents for the birthday party
which we were due to attend in an hour and a half (if we had needed a new
battery, we would have probably missed the party). And Joey got lucky--the
bookstore
had 3 Boxcar Children books that he didn't have! Alex picked out a neat book
about manatees (we live in Florida).
Because the battery died, my mini-van's clock was wrong--but I didn't know
that! Therefore, miracle of miracles--I was on time to the birthday party!
LOL And it's a good thing, too!
This was the birthday party to end all birthday parties.
We drove over to the marina and there it was--The Sea Dragon. It's a red
pirate ship, with black flag sporting a skull and crossbones just like you
see in the movies! But the pirates on board this ship aren't the kind to
give you nightmares. Just the opposite!
We boarded the ship and then the fun began. First of all everyone on board
got some good, old-fashioned guns and shot all the bad pirates (and each
other :-) ! Then we set sail on a gorgeous, Florida afternoon. After we
were at sea, the pistols were traded in for - - water guns! Oh, yes! The
parents got in on it, too. :-)
After everyone was thoroughly drenched, it was time to listen to the history
of the waters we sailed in and a bit of information about our fine city
(which used to be called Harrison before 1907, but now is called Panama
City). We also were blessed by the presence of several dolphins! I was so
pleased to see how attentive the children were. They were then given swords
and boy, did they go at it! The boys had a blast! But, I think maybe the
birthday boy's dad had the most fun. :-)
Following the grueling sword fight, the children were invited into the
"dungeon" to listen to the tale of a missing treasure. And you guessed it;
they were the lucky ones to be on the lookout to find it! The kids were
mesmerized by the story and couldn't wait to help this pirate crew find their
lost treasure chest.
Of course our eagle-eyed children spotted the treasure chest and then they
all worked together to heave the box onto the deck using a pulley (much
better than tug-of-war!). Once the treasure box was opened, everyone got a
handful of the treasure. So tonight when I tuck the children in bed, I am
certain to see two glow-in-the-dark skeletons somewhere in their room! ;-)
Following this the children had cake and ice cream followed by the limbo!
Alexander and a darling little girl named Abby were the youngest of the
bunch. I worried that Alex might tire out because we had already had such a
full day, but actually Abby, (who is heart-healthy), was the one who climbed
into her mother's lap and wanted to be cuddled. Alex was great--he was such
a little dynamo that one of the pirates nicknamed him Hurricane Alex. :-)
The party ended with a series of games and dances which utilized tamborines
and other props, including hoola hoops at the end! Alex was so funny when he
tried to do the twist with the hoola hoop. Being only 4, he had no clue what
he was supposed to do, but he was such a good sport about it! He took the
hoola hoop and spun it around and twirled his body around inside it going the
other way! It was so funny to watch.
I think the kids liked doing the Jellyfish Squish the best. Every birthday
boy and girl should be squished by their friends. :-)
I'm worn out from all that fresh air and all those activities, but the boys
came home and ran to their swingset. They played outside until the bugs
started to eat them.
When Alex was diagnosed with a heart defect, my mother asked the surgeon if
he would be bedbound. When she was told "no" she then asked if he would have
to use a wheelchair and was once again told "no." She pressed on and asked
if Alex would ever be able to walk. I could read the disbelief in her eyes
when she was told that if the surgeries went well, Alex could lead a normal
life and do the things normal little boys do.
The surgeon was right.
So with the help of a terrific surgeon and medical staff, a lot of love,
faith in God and the power of prayer, and help from an angel, we had a
glorious day. I just had to share it with you all.
I hope you all had a great day, too. This was the best Mother's Day gift I
could have received. I can't imagine what tomorrow will bring!
Peace and love,
Anna
mom to Joey (7) and Alex (4; HLHS)
Baby Hearts Press
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