April 11th, 2025
Sherry Moore and Sara Wroblewski agree that the biggest impact our Ronald McDonald House® has made on their families is friendship. It had been a long day at the hospital and families were gathering in the Family Dinner Kitchen for dinner. Sherry recalls that she had just finished eating quietly by herself when then four-year-old, Ashton, walked over to a nearby table and asked a little girl if she wanted to play kitties.
That little girl was Sara’s daughter, Grace, and the meeting was the first spark to a beautiful friendship. Sara describes Ashton and Grace’s relationship as “a fierce and magical friendship that we really can’t explain.”
The friendship goes well beyond just giggles and play. The girls see many of the same specialists and also share some of the same diagnoses. They have seen each other through the most difficult times, when one is in pain after surgery or so sick that she can’t sit up, offering a quiet hand to hold. They advocate for each other in the hospital and carry the voice of encouragement when fear creeps in.
Much of this also holds true for Sherry and Sara. Sherry believes the Ronald McDonald House put their families together, sharing, “As soon as I met Sara, I just knew she was going to be my person. I saw another exhausted mom who knew what I was going through because she was going through it at the same time. We didn’t have to hide our worries or feel afraid to share the hard parts of being a parent to a medically complex child.”
The families may live in separate states, but their friendship has never wavered in its strength and love for each other. They have spent fun days at the zoo, the movies or the pool, and have supported and consoled each other through tough days, complications and new diagnoses.
These moms will be forever grateful to the staff, donors and volunteers who make this House not only home, but a wonderful place where you can find your very special friend in your most vulnerable time.
