teresa

I observed my first Make A Wish visit.  This was the first visit to gather information from the child regarding what she would want for her wish.  The other task is to collect documentation needed from the parents.  I attended as an observer since I am a new volunteer.  There is also a lead wish grantor and an assist wish grantor.  To be honest I wasn’t totally sure if I was allowed to talk.  It wasn’t completely clear in our training although I got the impression we (observers) were mostly supposed to listen.

Well you can guess how that went, a Kulesza woman told not to talk just to listen… that lasted about 5 minutes.  I couldn’t take it anymore.  I felt very comfortable interviewing our child to brainstorm her wish.  I definitely learned that from the years of watching my mom as a teacher.  I think there is a certain energy and approach to take with a child.  I did however  found it a bit hard as the girl we interviewed often answered our questions with “I don’t know” which she tended to say with a silly voice with her hands thrown over the top off her head.  Our goal was to get her to describe her wish.  What it might feel like, what she would do, rather than just a simple statement of a place to go or a thing to have.  Make A Wish’s mission is pretty clear and Magical is  word you can’t miss when listening to anyone from Make A Wish speak.  I found myself searching for that magical opportunity.  Looking for where this little girls passions might lie.  What would make her, if even for a moment, forget that she was or is sick.

I found that I often ended up asking not so open ended questions in search of something other than I don’t know.  Which in turn yielded a yes answer so I am unsure if she just agreed with my suggestions or if they were truly what would make her wish special.  I am certain of one thing.  At the end of our visit I asked her if there was anything that was really important that she wanted to tell us before we went, that she really wanted to make sure didn’t forget.  She said with resounding certainty that she loves Pet Shop toys (these silly little animals that play in different building structures).  She had already shown us her collection.  I asked if there was anything else before we left.  She thought just for a second, and said again I love Pet Shop toys!

My mom would appreciate that her favorite subject is reading.  She shared with us her favorite book.  And when I asked her what she had on the lanyard on her neck she said with uncanny simplicity that it was her library card.

As we were ready to go she asked us not to leave.  This was the same little girl who her mom almost had to drag out of her room to great the three strangers who were there in her living room to learn about her wish.  I explained we had to go as we had lots of planning to do for her wish and that we would be back.

I learned then that it would be hard to not be able to plan the wish.  In fact the staff will plan the wish.  Which is probably a good thing as they are well experienced at making the wish happen flawlessly and magically.

We will be able to return with the information about the wish when it is ready and we will at that time be able to bring some extras perhaps some Pet Shop toys and a book by her favorite author to add to the celebration of the delivery.  And then I should prepare myself for that will be it.  We will again say goodbye although with no reason to return this time.  Our purpose is both special and succinct.   To bring something wonderful and magical to a child and a family who has had to endure more than what seems fair.