We donate a lot of pillowcases to the hospital.  We also donate socks, underwear, clothing and backpacks.  Some of the nurses at the hospital have set up a closet that they try to keep stocked with items for families of trauma patients and foster kids.  When I was in the hospital, I was always thinking of something I would like to have with me.  Everyday before my dad would come to the hospital to visit, he would call and find out what my mom and I wanted him to bring.  I can’t imagine how hard it would be if you were hours away from home and hadn’t had any warning you or other family members would be staying at the hospital.  The nurse told me she loves when a family needs clean clothes or a pair of pajamas and she is able to go get them the basic essentials.  Being away from the comforts of home makes you really appreciate simple things like shampoo and lotion, clean socks and underwear or your favorite pair of pajamas!

Anytime we ask the nurses what they are in need of, the answer is always – teenage boy anything!  We have a hard time getting older boy pillowcases and donations. Since most of the people that sew these pillowcases are women and girls we tend to have lots of girly fabric. I like taking my brothers with to help choose some of this stuff because, otherwise, I always end up choosing the girly fabric or clothing.  I guess you could say that teenage boys are the forgotten heroes of the pediatric unit.

Before my last infusion we went shopping to get some donation items. My older brother has to be one of the funniest people I know. He can even make something like buying underwear interesting! I felt a little awkward in the men’s underwear department so Croft helped me find some.  At first he was like “ookkaayy’’ but, to be quite honest, I think he had fun choosing all those socks and underwear.

I really don’t know what was so amazingly interesting about this one set of underwear but it seems to have an appeal to Croft.

I have no idea why we are flexing in this picture but it is a very funny picture of Croft and me.

I have talked about how easily my siblings and I get distracted.  We were walking through the store and saw these animal masks and we just couldn’t help but try them on and get some pictures. We all had so much fun with them and found one for all of us but finally we had to go.

I hope you look at your socks and other belongings with new appreciation and think about how blessed you are to have clean clothes.  When I think about all the things I have (soap, socks, shampoo, colored pencils, sketchbook) I realize how much I have to be grateful for and try harder to focus on how much I have instead of what I want or what I think I need.

If we take the time to look around, there are so many opportunities to give to others.  If you would like to donate to the closet at UNMH I will have an address posted shortly where you can send donations.  You can also find opportunities in your own community to help someone who is struggling.  Oftentimes, something as simple as a pair of socks, a smile, a kind word or a moment of patience is a life line of hope to the other person!