THAT FRIEND WAS TED TAGGART!!!!!

I can recall a time that a friend came forward to lend his time and heart for me.

I had a 4 year old niece with cancer that was scheduled for a bone marrow transplant.  As her sister shared a hospital room with her in hopes to go to sleep next to her little sister, share part of her body and save her life, they were scared but determined.  No one knew how successful this surgery would be. 

Days before the BIG day, my friend -in the heat of the summer, dressed up as a giant stuffed animal.  He drove to the hospital with me, and in the garage, we dressed him up as this magical animation.  We entered the Cancer Ward of the Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, OH.  Nothing has ever touched me more than the look on all of the faces I absorbed that day!  Nothing!  To brighten a child's day, hour, minute -it is so worth it.  We do not know what the outcome will be for each of those children.  We can only cherish their smiles and happiness in the moment.  They all seem so brave to me. 

We lost Johanna a few years ago at the age of 9.  The cancer took over too quickly although she did have remission that gave us time to spend with her as a normal child that never showed any fear. 

Thank you "friend" for taking a day out of your busy schedule and touching the lives of many children.  Those smiles are engraved in my heart and so are you!