November 29th, 2016
I work in a House that love built and every day when I walk through the doors, my heart expands just a little bit. In my role as the Director of Philanthropy, I have the opportunity to meet a lot of people. One of the questions I am asked most often is, “how can you do that job?” my answer is simply, how can I not?!
The House has been a haven for families for over 32 years – that’s a lot of families and a lot of memories. I often find myself wondering, when I come in before the House “wakes up,” if these walls could talk, what would they say? I imagine the range of emotions our families have experienced vibrating in the quiet, the great highs and the heartbreaking lows. The friendships that were forged around a dinner table and a shared experience. The hugs and tears that mingled in a moment and are tattooed on one’s heart forever. The laughter and the giggles as children play and explore this big beautiful House or explore the wonders of the Secret Garden.
The heartbeat of our House changes with the seasons and the ticking of the daily clock and provides a soft place for families to land at the end of a long day. I imagine the House wrapping its arms around each family for as long as needed. If these walls could talk, what a tale they would tell, of our families from near and far who for a moment became a part of our Ronald McDonald House story, as we became a part of their family story.
As we gather around dinner tables this holiday season, I will give thanks for the opportunity to have my heart grow a little bit every day as I journey alongside these families I am called to serve.
