Chasing Rainbows: Letter from Gavin

Thursday, April 11, 2013

We Desperately Need That Miracle...

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for praying for me! Thank you for thinking of me! Thank you for sending all of your good and hopeful and positive energy my way. I can feel it - I really can. And my Mommy and Daddy, who haven't left my side, can feel it too. We feel very loved.

Today I have been as stable as I can be. My nurse says that she's happy that I haven't done anything to make crowds of people rush into my room. I took it easy today and enjoyed alone time with my Dad who sang to me and did my favorite "tickle time"... and my Mom who curled up next to me in bed and whispered positive thoughts into my ear. Even my Granny and Godmother, Aunt Bean, came to visit and bought me the biggest puppy balloon. I am one loved boy.

Two nurses did "Healing Touch" on me today and said they thought I seemed very peaceful. And Mommy and Daddy were SO excited that Dr. Trish came to see me... although I wanted her here to really help comfort them. You probably don't need to be told how special Dr. Trish is to me and my Mommy. She really helped us tonight.

The truth is, we need more than something to make us feel better. What we desperately need is another miracle. You all know that I've experienced miracles before - so it's possible!! Remember when I was born with permanent hearing loss? The kind of hearing loss that is caused from missing stuff in your ear canal? The kind that was only supposed to stay the same or get worse? Then remember that my Mommy and Daddy took me to the Saint Katharine Drexel Shrine... and six months later my sedated hearing test came back normal! Remember that? Yeah...that was pretty cool.

So, what I was thinking was this. I've been told that I'm in charge for the next couple days. They are going to take me off the sedation I'm on so I can wake up and smile at Mommy and Daddy. And tomorrow I'm going to get an MRI. I figured if all the thousands of people all over the world who are rooting for me would BELIEVE in the MIRACLE - we can come out of this together! I'd even give you half the credit. I'm generous like that.

My Mommy always says that the two of us are a great team. We've had a pretty fun and interesting and amazing journey together.

And my Daddy always says that I'm his buddy and I really want to grow up to be strong and brave like him.

And my brother always says that I'm touching his toys. I really want to continue doing that. My brother also whispered in my ear that he loved me yesterday...

...and I need to go home and start talking so I can tell him just how much I love him, too.

Please believe. Please don't stop believing. We desperately need that miracle.

Love,

Gavin

Gavin's Playground Project

Gavin's Playground Project was born from my desire to see an "All Abilities" playground built at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. This is the hospital where Gavin spent a lot of time during his life... and where he ultimately died, surrounded by friendly and familiar faces. To mark the one year anniversary of his death, I held a fundraiser on April 5, 2014. You can read all about it in THIS post.

We raised a LOT of money, but not enough for a playground! If you would like to contribute to help make this playground a reality - so no kids will ever have to sit on the sidelines watching their peers play - you can contribute directly to the hospital through the Chasing Rainbows fundraising page HERE. Your donation will go directly to the hospital for the playground and is tax deductible. You can also create your own fundraising team page and start collecting donations in honor of anyone you want!! There is also a mailing address on their page if you prefer to mail a check. Designate your contribution in memory of Gavin Leong - or write in that this is for the playground so your dollars will go to the right place. Thank you for your support of Gavin's Playground Project!

Gavin's Trust Project

I created "Gavin's Trust Project" to help support Gavin's friends who receive services from the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania. I wanted to continue to try to "make the impossible... possible" for kids like Gavin, knowing well how hard it can be to get much needed "special needs" items. It makes me happy to know that even after his death, Gavin continues to help others. Click HERE to learn more about the Trust Project! All of your donations, big and small, will be added to Gavin's Trust Project to help therapists and teachers get what they need for children in this program. You can write a check made out to CCIU and mail it to: Chester County Intermediate Unit, c/o Deb Hiller, 455 Boot Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335. Please be sure to add "Gavin's Trust Project" in the memo. Thank you on behalf of me and my little superhero!