Each visit we make to Bethesda for a
luncheon is different… it's basically the same menu but
the stories of the parents or the wives about their Heroes
are what brings us back again. For some reason this visit
touched me in a way the other visits had not, and I know
now, without a doubt, that the touches of home we bring
fill a need to those we serve. Perhaps it was the young
wife who so was happy to see "real food", or the mother
who had been staying 24/7 by her son's side for many weeks,
or maybe it was the young Marine who was working in the
Liaison office who remembered us from our last visit.
These are the things that keep us coming back. Both the
hospital staff and the Liaison staff are great and we
can't say enough good about them. Thank you guys for your
help - you know who you are. The major league ball team
who was finishing their visit as we arrived - these are
the things that help brighten the patients and their families'
day.
This time, thanks to Deb, we used a Tiki theme and had
table decorations and food along that line. In addition
to the barbecue that seems so popular, the sandwich makings
and side salads, we also had lots of fruit, key lime pies,
and a chocolate, chocolate 4-layer cake. A highlight of
the luncheon were the fresh baked goodies carefully packed
and shipped by Valerie from The Bread Basket in Cleveland,
Tennessee - home baked breads and muffins just like Mom
used to make. (No calories, of course!) And then there
were the back packs from Operation Thank You with items
for the kids visiting their Dads that were passed out.
(Those ladies KNOW how to shop!!!) We also stuffed the
fridge and the pantry cupboards for those late night snacks
with the help of Dave from Entenmann's, and I included
a poem written by Connie and a note from Bob for the families
and patients in the basket of candy on the counter.
Miracles Happen at Bethesda and the doctors, nurses, and
the Marine Liaison staff are Angels on Earth, as are the
ladies I do this with.
Thank you to all who helped make our June visit happen,
including our donors who wish to remain nameless and our
wonderfully talented webmistress, Amber. Amber has the
patience of a saint. :)
