From time to time, opportunities come along that remind you why community involvement matters.
About a year ago, I had the opportunity to meet with a Make-A-Wish child and help him think through what kind of wish he wanted to pursue. He ultimately chose a trip to Disneyland. Like many wish families, their road to this moment included a few unexpected turns. Medical needs required the trip to be delayed several times, making the wait longer than anyone had hoped. Earlier this week though, the day finally arrived. Watching the family begin their journey made the moment even more special, knowing everything they had overcome to get there.
I went to the airport at 6:30 a.m. to see the family off. It wasn’t anything formal. It was simply the final step in a process that I had been involved in from the beginning. What stood out to me was not the sendoff itself, but the full arc of the experience. It started with a conversation a year ago and ended with a family being able to take a break from their usual routine and spend time together in a different setting. The family would have the opportunity to enjoy time together away from the routines that often accompany serious medical challenges. For many families in similar situations, daily life can revolve around doctor visits, treatments, and caregiving responsibilities. This trip offered a chance to focus on something different. They got to relax, have fun, and create special memories together while experiencing a sense of normalcy that can be difficult to find.
It’s a good reminder that involvement doesn’t need to be complex to be meaningful. In many cases, it comes down to showing up, staying engaged, and following through over time. I’ve appreciated the chance to be part of this through Make-A-Wish and have a lot of respect for the work they do every day to support families. It is important for our BW Family to give back to the community through Make-A-Wish and other causes we support but I personally feel like I got more out of the process than I gave. It was an awesome experience.