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Every Day is Precious: Child's party is opportunity to thrive
By ROB PAYNE
For Williamson A.M.
What would you do if you couldn't move your arms or legs? Where would you want to go if it took hours to get out of bed and hours to get back into bed? Would you want to go to a gym?
That's exactly where Marcy wanted to go. Not because she wanted to work out, but because that's where our daughter Darcy wanted to be for her 10th birthday.
Darcy always has loved having her birthday parties at Let It Shine Gymnastics they do such a great job with kids. It is the perfect place for kids to express joy and celebrate the birth of a friend. But I was dreading it this year.
I haven't worked in a while now. Thanks to friends and family, we haven't missed any meals. And, also thanks to friends and family, we've been able to make the house note. But it is hard to spend money on a party.
Tim Richards owns Let It Shine. Before Marcy's diagnosis Darcy took gymnastics lessons there, so I knew the company was run on Christian principles, but I had never met Tim. I called him, told him what was going on here at home, and asked if there was any way he could help. He gave us enough of a discount on the cost of the party to justify giving a 10-year-old girl what she considers a normal birthday during very abnormal circumstances.
The party was last Saturday and Marcy was able to make it. It was difficult for Marcy, but worth it. It took three hours to get her ready and four hours to get her settled back in once we got home. Marcy was only at the party for half an hour. She missed a treatment and missed a meal.
But it was the first time Marcy had been in her wheelchair since Oct. 12. It was her first time out of bed since Dec. 24. So it was a great treat for everyone. You can see pictures of Darcy at the party at www.EveryDayIsPrecious.com.
Prior to the party, we weren't sure Marcy would be able to make it. That's when God brought the other half of this blessing. Janet and Melissa, mothers of two of Darcy's friends, pitched in and did everything from picking up the birthday cake to bringing Darcy's gifts home. Without them, the party couldn't have happened. We thank them for keeping her mother's illness from keeping Darcy from having a ''normal'' childhood.
Last year Darcy's birthday was on a Saturday and she had her party at Let It Shine. Marcy missed that party because that was the same Saturday she went to the hospital on the trip that led to getting her tracheostomy. So last Saturday was a great birthday for Darcy, a happy anniversary (of sorts) for Marcy, and, hopefully, the mother of more frequent outings for our family.
Take a moment to think of the things that are uncommon expenses for you and your family. Those are probably things that would be an absolute luxury for a family in need. Consider asking the provider to help a family you know in need. Your intercession may be just the help that gets them out of bed in the morning, letting them rise and shine.
Every Day Is Precious is a column to remind us to treat everyone we see today as if it could be the last time we see them. It is written by Rob Payne, whose wife, Marcy, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in August 2000. For more ways to help others, to find more about Marcy, or to receive e-mail updates on her condition, visit www.EveryDayIsPrecious.com.
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