A Very Special House

If a house had arms. If a structure could be more than just a shelter, if it could provide comfort and warmth and if it could have a relationship with a person.  What makes a house a home?

It all started several months ago, about six months after moving to a new town.  I had just gotten married, quit my job, and moved to a place I had visited three times.  It was an adjustment to say the least but that aside, I was searching for a great project in the community to get involved with.  I suddenly found myself in a position where I had more time... something I couldn't find much of in my past living environment.

It was a Thursday in late winter, early spring when I first set foot in the Ronald McDonald House. What greeted me upon walking through the doors of the house was a rather chaotic situation.  I was thrown in with a group of people who were vigorously sorting stuffed animals.  Yes, stuffed animals - hundreds had been donated and were being sorted so they could be appropriately distributed to the children's hospital.  It was a rather unorganized process.  I asked several times for the manager of the house but she happened to be in a meeting.  Although I felt just a bit overwhelmed, and I'll admit, I contemplated just leaving, I stayed.  Sorting of the animals transitiioned into a few other chores around the house and I found myself still there an hour or two later and enjoying myself. This house was something special, of that I was sure.

The manager of the house finally appeared and took me aside, apologizing for the unconventional start to my volunteer day there and then promptly gave me a tour of the place.  I noticed immediately, this was an exceptional person.  She radiated energy, and her smile lit up the room.   Her 5 foot maybe 3 inch frame gave off an infectious aura that exuded endless enthusiasm.  She struck me as the kind of person you meet and can't help but smile back at.  I'll explain what happened next with brevity... I found myself agreeing to a one day a week shift every Friday as the manager of the place.

I'll admit, I was a slight bit apprehensive about agreeing to the commitment, but found my apprehension was overwhelmed with excitement over the opportunity to consistently work at a place with such a strong and important mission.  For those that don't know, the house is a place where families can stay at no cost when their child is receiving treatment at one of the local hospitals.  Mostly, the house is filled with families that live too far away to make the daily drive back and forth, or in this particular case, there are families that have a newborn in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).  Families are provided with a place to stay and meals throughout the day.  Essentially, a home away from home.

My job is to make sure the families are provided with anything they need and to "watch over" the house accepting the many donations we get and making sure it's clean from top to bottom.  In the time I have been working there over the past few months I have seen probably about 40 families or so come and go from the house.  It would be difficult to explain into words how I feel about being surrounded by these families who, each and every one, are going through heart wrenching and difficult times.

I have watched families leave the house with elation and smiles that their child's stay in the hospital turned out for the best.  And I have unfortunately watched families leave their stay because their baby did not make it through it's recovery.  Those are instances that I hold my breath and have a difficult time grasping how anyone copes with that kind of loss.  In those times, I remember the importance of the work, that the house is a haven.  The hope is that whatever hardships those families are facing, they do not have to think about where they will stay or what they will eat for dinner.  The simple and everyday routine motions in life are offered in that house.

It's a place that has affected and changed me in ways I'll be forever grateful.  I have met some of the other staff that work at the house who have open hearts and giving ways which is always an inspiration.  I am appreciative to the families that have stayed and will stay in that house in the future for showing me that important things in life are your family and commitment to one another during hard times.  I am appreciative for the house manager, director and a good friend and fellow staff member I've made in my time working there for showing me how to be a little more selfless and how to be committed and giving to strangers. 

So if a house had arms that it could wrap around someone.  Just to be there for a person, to provide comfort and warmth and a sense of security.  I've decided it would be that house.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Columbia: www.rmhcofcolumbia.org