Of Orange Shirts, Golf, And Kids’ Stories…

Twelve kids with their stories (both patients and some siblings toobecause wow, the stories these siblings could tell)…

One day…

Two golf courses…

And hundreds of generous hearts…

All the numbers… all leading to the kind that take your breath away: like, just over $1.5 MILLION raised for Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

It was such a heart-filling moment to be part of this event and it was also such a well-placed reminder in our weariness that there is always hope for better days ahead.

MbM

twelve children in orange shirts with the golf course in the background

All our love and gratitude to Kevin Butler, the Ace Hardware Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and all the many amazing souls who made this happen.

Of Golf Carts, Big Smiles, And Being Amazing

These days in the news, so there’s so much heartbreak – so much about people who use their position of influence for evil instead of good.

I can’t change the whole, but I can give you a peak into that sad news not being the only news. Yeah, maybe it’s the sad kind that sells, but quietly, powerfully, all over the world, amazing people are silently doing incredible things.

So, this weekend, let me give you a small peak into something wonderful. And I hope it will bless you as it has blessed us.

Many hospital fundraisers are well publicized, but there are some that are quiet too. This last week, we spent 24 hours with the quiet and the powerful, and dear ones, how I wish you could see what I saw…

The Lurie patient families gathering with each other and foundation staff; hugging and talking like long lost friends — because trials knit strangers together by their souls even when they’ve never met.

Lurie families and staff gather with actor, Anthony Anderson

Chase hands out Cliff bars with Julie, a member of our Lurie staff family

Lurie patients and siblings in the photo booth

The three little neuro boys – who beat their odds and defied their statistics – running and tagging and giggling through a crowded ballroom full of VIPs.

The beautiful girl – thirteen long years in a wheelchair – who pushed up onto her braces, braced her courage and body against the podium, and told her story, shouting “Isn’t that amazing?” to a standing ovation.

Ellie and Chase

The leaders of companies, the heads of foundations, professional athletes and actors – one and all treating small children with big disabilities as if the children were the heroes whose autographs were sought and whose selfies were precious.

Selfie with Robbie Gould

Selfie with Kevin Butler

The men and women who hand beautiful, expensive golf clubs without a care into the hands of small children and teaching them how to tee up and tee off.

The looks on the players faces when asked how the game is going – the shrugs and smiles and “That’s not why we’re here today. Today is for the kids.”

Chase met Mr. Butler last year and couldn’t wait to see him again this year!

The absolutely huge center for a pro football team crossing clubs like swords and falling “dead” to the ground under Chase’s cry of “surrender or die!” – all because he’s a dad too and he gets that kids are kids no matter what.

The players who paused their game (time and again) to sign their golf balls and give the kids rides in their golf carts.

Chase gets driving lessons from former Cubs pitcher, Kerry Wood

Lurie’s Aaron Conn with all the patients and siblings

More driving with Kerry

Chase and Darcy practice driving with former Chicago Bears player, Kevin Butler

The mothers and fathers who gave up their own families in the middle of crazy, busy lives to fly to Chicago on behalf of a children’s hospital.

Chase and Charlie with Anthony Anderson

The winners who took their signed football prizes in hand and turning, bowed over bald and broken children and placed the prizes in the kids’ hands instead.

Chase with Mike DeMatteo, giver of his signed football

The silent money that bought four pieces of children’s art, framed like the greats, for thousands of dollars.

The dozens holding a sign for a boy who wasn’t there because he was on the table for his ninth brain surgery – his second in two weeks.

Kerry Wood and Darcy support Team Matthew

And dear ones, so much more. So much more! I have as many small story moments treasured in my heart as Chase has fist bumps, high fives, and “Hey, do you know you’re awesome?” questions.

Chase and Robbie take a minute to perfect their lounging skills

The few pictures I took have names to them so you can see and know what and who you’re seeing, but dear ones, there are no names in the stories because they, the famous, the amazing; they wouldn’t want you to know. That wasn’t why they gathered. So, you don’t need to know all the names behind the stories, but I do want you to see a bit of their hearts.

And these hearts? Well, they raised well over $800,000 for the hospital.

Robbie Gould with the Lurie kids and members of the Ace Foundation

Robbie speaking his heart

Quietly, powerfully, people are doing incredible things.

~MbM~