5:10 PM Fri, Jul 03, 2009 | Permalink |
It's been nearly a week since I told the story of 12- year- old Jessica, a young girl suffering from a brain tumor at Children's Hospital.
The story centered on a gift someone had given her - four tickets to see the Jonas Brothers in concert at the Tacoma Dome.
This would be exciting for any teenage girl, but it was especially wonderful for Jessica. For the past 5 1/2 months she hasn't been able to walk or talk.
I was happy to tell her story; but there was another story there that I could not ignore - that I've been thinking about ever since.
Back in January, Jessica's mom, dad and 9-year-old little sister moved here from Alaska so that Jessica could receive treatment at Children's. They've been living in the Ronald McDonald House, a sacrifice the family didn't think twice about. I could see the love and optimisim in their faces, in the way they spoke about Jessica... but I could also see the angst in Jessica's little sisters face.
The dynamic playing out felt so real, so painful, that at times it was hard for me to watch. Her baby sister, dressed up like a doll, was also in pain. Her life has been turned upside down.
I watched as Jessica's mother lovingly listened to her youngest daughter while nervously watching Jessica being prepared for the concert.
I say all of this to say I know the anonymous donor who gave the family these tickets did it for Jessica, but when I saw the joy on her little sister's face, it was obvious she needed this just as much as her sister.
Leave a comment
Please read our comment rules before posting comments