Making Today Count
Kathy Aubruner, Give Kids The World

Time. That is something not a lot of people have to spare, especially during with the summer. But over the years, you have been so willing to find time within your hectic schedules to care about children with life-threatening illnesses. To show just how much your participation makes a difference, we want to share one of the most beautiful thank-you letters the Village has ever received.

We are very fortunate that, because of your love, commitment, and support, we are able to create a magical environment that inspires such an outpouring of gratitude.

Dear Give Kids The World,

If I could talk, this is what I would tell you.

There is a place and time I will cherish forever. It is locked in a special place in my heart, and I hold the key. When I open that place I can recollect how special I feel knowing that there are such wonderful, caring, sacrificial people in this world that made me feel so absolutely important—words cannot describe!

In this place I could feel the red carpet rolling out in front of me wherever I went. People did not stare at me, they smiled! They did not avoid me, they touched me! I could hear my mom and dad say “yes, what would you like to drink,” rather than “no, we cannot afford it.” My brother and sisters knew, without a doubt, they did not have to be patient for long periods of time, this time, because of me.

There were many times I would feel my mom’s face against mine, giving me hugs, feeling her tears against my face. I knew these were not tears this time of sadness or fear as I have experienced so many times before in our struggles. This time it was much different, as I knew I was not in a place of pain. I could feel her tears overflowing, and I knew they were of happiness and gratitude as my heart was feeling the exact same way.

My family took me on every ride that seemed possible for me to go on. I have never experienced that before. There were many, many things that I could experience because somehow in the planning of this place, children such as I, who cannot walk or stand, were deemed important enough to make things work out so that I can feel the magic that was intended for all, including me. Even if there were times when I got a little tired, the music was so beautiful, I smiled in my small rests, and woke up to more joy.

Now that I am at home, there are times people catch me smiling. They sometimes will ask me what I am thinking about, what is keeping that grin. I wish I could tell them all the things that are bubbling with excitement inside me. Since I cannot speak, instead, I keep that special place in my heart open, bringing myself back amid the most beautiful memories I have ever experienced in lifetime here. I close my eyes and smile, and smile, and smile. The next time I struggle, I can now open that place once again and set myself back into that place and remember all the smiling faces greeting and hugging me, the music, the laughter, the sounds, the joy. A place where I felt like a queen.

A place in my memory I will cherish forever. Somewhere over the rainbow my wishes have truly come true. I made a wish upon a star, and Give Kids The World made it all possible for us. My dreams have truly been granted.

My family and I send our utmost gratitude to all of those who have made this dream so possible to all of us. I have walked in the depths of distress, and now I have walked in the clouds.

The C. Family
Duluth, Minn.

Every day, at the Village in Kissimmee, Fla., and throughout the world, IAAPA facilities and manufacturers reach out to GKTW families and embrace them with kindness. Thank you for giving them the time of their lives, while there still is time.