Two Raccoons?!

A couple months ago, I joined a facebook group that connects sponsors with sick/terminally ill children and their families.  I was matched with baby Tad who was born with a congenital heart defect back in June and has already had three open heart surgeries, the most recent one at Children's Hospital here in Boston.  The family is from North Carolina, but they have temporarily relocated up here for Tad's treatment.  I have had the privilege of visiting Tad and his amazing mom in the Cardiac-Intensive Care Unit at Children's twice in the past couple of months and since the facebook group is called "the sunshine box project," I always bring a box/bag of items to bring some sunshine and cheer for both mom and baby Tad.  Tad's heritage is part Cherokee and his Native American name is "Thundering Raccoon" so his nursery at home is filled with raccoons.  Before my most recent visit to the hospital, the kids and I went to buy him a new one. We've talked about "the baby at the hospital" a lot and both kiddos are very curious about him and hopeful for his recovery.  Finley really seems to understand why I'm getting to know the family and why being kind to others can really make a difference.  That afternoon, Dagny brought along her beloved raccoon in hopes of finding a friend for the baby and to our great joy, we found the exact same one at the toy shop in town!! Oh and she happened to be wearing her raccoon shirt, I couldn't get over the raccoon-iness of all of this!!

 Here she is showing which raccoon is Tad's ("the one of the tag, mommy.")

 Tad's mom LOVED the adorable and very soft raccoon I brought for Tad and sent me these photos the next day. Oh and the giraffe was from our first box of sunshine!

  Tad is doing alright, but is still not well enough to go back to NC though they are hopeful by early February that will change.  It's been the most moving experience to befriend Tad's mom and be a part of their Boston medical adventure.  Of course it makes me so very thankful for what we have been blessed with, but it also makes me realize the power of the human spirit and how capable each one of us truly is when we are challenged by unthinkable situations.

Right now, we are assembling a Valentine's Day Box of Sunshine for Baby Tad, his mom, and his big step-sister who couldn't be more deserving :)