Ronald McDonald House

Have you ever visited a Ronald McDonald House? Have you ever stayed in one? If you haven't had any contact with this charity, I highly recommend you look it up. It is one of the greatest inventions for families who have sick children.

Our family lived in Seattle's Ronald McDonald House for many months in 2006-2007. It provided a haven, a safe, clean, cozy, friendly, supportive environment for us when Katie was receiving her treatment for cancer. It was affordable (we were still paying our mortgage, property taxes and other bills on our home while living in Seattle), and very close to the hospital - both necessities for our family. We spent Thanksgiving and Christmas there.

Thanksgiving 2006, Ronald McDonald House

Christmas 2006, Ronald McDonald House

Gregg and Katie in our room at the House

In the autumn of 2007, we attended a benefit for the House. Our sister-in-law, Caroline, works for Alaska Airlines, a company which is a big supporter of Ronald McDonald House. They dedicated a page in the auction catalog to Katie, and invited our family to sit at the company's table. It was only two months after Katie's passing, and I remember feeling kind of numb, unaccustomed to being out in a crowd, in public - and I remember being very, very thankful to Alaska Airlines for their kindness, compassion and generosity.

Ronald McDonald House Gala, 2007

Last weekend, we attended the House benefit again, the first time since 2007. David was at home for the weekend, so it was lovely to share the evening with him. Again, Alaska Airlines hosted a table and donated many large-ticket items to the live auction. This time, I was able to donate two items to the silent auction, which I'm happy to say someone bought at 150% of the stated value. Hooray for generous bidders! One of the items was a beach wreath like this one

and the other was a copy of my book (a suggestion from the Ronald McDonald House staff).

It was fun to dress up and take the ferry to the city with my guys,

 spend the evening with my brother & sister-in-law and her colleagues,

to feel the love and support Seattle gives to the House, and to give back to a place which gave so much to us in a time of great need.

It was also emotional for some of us, and it brought back hard memories. You just never know what is going to take you down for the count...but it was worth it.

Lest you think my life is just one gala after another, here are the piles of ironing that awaited me afterward...

As Jack Kornfield says, "After the Ecstasy, the Laundry."