Olivia and I had five hours ahead of us, but it would all be worth it when I arrived. Olivia is one of my many caregivers. She is blonde, tall, and has the stamina of the Energizer Bunny. I was on my annual trip to Minnesota, and I couldn't wait to arrive. We drove through Illinois, Wisconsin, and finally Minnesota. With relief, we unpacked in the hotel room and went downstairs for a late dinner.
At 10:00 the next day, my best friend, Katherine came to the hotel to visit. The hotel was connected to the Mall of America so every friend who was coming could simply have a meal with me or go shopping. It’s a fantastic set up; I go to Minnesota once a year to visit friends from Camp Courage and I stay at a hotel connected to the mall.
Katherine and I met at Camp and have been attached at the hip ever since. I text her every day and seeing her is wonderful. Per her request, we went to Starbucks and any and every shop we could fit into in an afternoon. She has a sweet, high-pitched giggle that melts my heart.
After Katherine had to leave, I went to Kelly’s house. Kelly and I met working at a therapy center in Illinois and have remained friends to this day. Kelly, a blonde woman with a gigantic smile opened the door with her four kids in toe.
“Hannah, will you watch me dance?” Sophie, the nine-year-old asked.
“Hi Hannah!” Kelly said as she squeezed in a hug. Sophie had a lot to tell me which was coming out of her mouth as I rolled into the living room which had a ton of outdoor light.
“Let me talk to Hannah, Sophie,” Kelly said.
Kelly gave me a tour of her house which is absolutely stunning. The family has a play area and the kids showed me every trick they could possibly think of. I was in my element.
“Mom, I have to show Hannah my dance that I made up for her,” Sophie said.
“OK. Let’s go back to the living room,” Kelly said.
When I was growing up, I thought the world of my parent’s friends. To this day, I have relationships with them that I absolutely cherish. I put on shows like this for my parent’s friends when I was a little girl. I was having a full circle moment and my heart felt like it was glowing. Sophie was an amazing dancer, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
It was a very loud dinner with Sophie and the three younger boys, but it was full of love. All the kids wanted to ride my wheelchair. I bargained with them.
“If you eat your vegetables, I’ll give you wheelchair rides,” I said.
All four kids reluctantly agreed. The kids put their feet on top of the metal bars attached to the back wheels. Every kid loved it. I’m extremely biased but I love my friend’s kids and I think they are the greatest.
The next day I met up with Keith, we met with Camp Courage and have remained friends for fourteen years. Keith is an animated ham and I adore being around him. I blogged about his wedding a few years ago. We caught up and walked around the mall. Keith’s phone rang and he had to take it because he’s a doctor. My goofy friend is a doctor. How did that happen?
“Yeah, that patient…order a CT and I will follow up in a few hours,” Keith stated in a professional tone.
Oh my lanta! Keith was important! The guy I partied with back in the day was ordering scans for his patients.
“Keith, you do important stuff!” I exclaimed.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I love my job,” he said.
Finally, I met up with Trinayani who is a nurse who sees patients with blood disorders. We met at Camp Courage too. We enjoyed dinner as two single women. It’s nice to have friends in all different stages of life. She is a founder of Camp Breakaway. Camp Breakaway is for kids who have cancer to go to camp and get away from the stress of being sick. I begged her to mention it in my blog because I know this is extraordinary. To learn more, click here.
Driving back to Elmhurst and seeing my stomping grounds made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I always want to come home to my town where everyone knows me. I love the people in my life.
Feeling Blessed and Sending Love,
Hannah!
