When we first got to the RMH we were given a tour. Kitchens, pantries, common areas, cafeteria, fitness center, mailboxes, teen room, craft room, mediation room/chapel, etc. In the kitchen, you are given a pantry with your room number and a key, kind of like a gym shower room to put and lock away your belongings. You are provided a shelf with a plastic box in the industrial style refrigerator and a shelf in the freezer with your marked room number. You get the idea. It’s practical and I think given how much us cancer parents have on our minds every minute of every day, we appreciate this easy concept.
I have walked past the meditation/chapel many times since we have been here, always looking inside but never stopping. I went this morning to the cafeteria to get my coffee…I hate not having a Keurig in our room (first world problem I know) and walked past the chapel as a always do. On my way back to our room, I was drawn in. I sat down and just stared at the stained glass window. It’s simple. It’s pure. Two children knelt down praying. I drank my coffee in silence, starring at Jesus’ hands. I started praying. I prayed for Olivia…healing, strength , patience and understanding. I prayed for our family. I prayed for the other kids that we’ve met here and their families.
While we are all on different paths in life, the families we have met here are on a similar path and fighting the same fight…a cure for their child. we may not have the same type of cancer diagnosis or prognosis but our prayers are the same…for complete healing and for finding a cure for our children.
So, my new morning routine will be to stop. To stop and pray instead of walking past and looking at the stained glass window.
First posted on the OliviaStrong Facebook page.