My days are filled with so much fulfillment... my job working in the Peds unit as a Child Life Assistant is my true calling for now... in a couple more years I hope to teach long-term children. (another chapter, already unfolding) For now, children wait for me in the morning, eager to do art, be creative... smile, listen to Kids Bop (versions of current hits) Seriously it is not even a job... I enjoy being there for the children so much and to see them smile when they are feeling their worst. I have creative freedom to do what I feel will be beneficial to each and every child (ages ranging from infant to 18 years) in a creative and nurturing way. Challenging yes... but so worth the challenge. I interact with children who are battling cancer... long-term illnesses... medical mysteries (test after test)... major surgeries... with IG tubes down their throat and cannot eat for days... weeks at a time and IV poles and endless PICC lines. Even children from across our world...

One child (beautiful, amazing soul) I just met about a month ago... came from Kenya and went through a major surgery to help relieve severe scoliosis (sp?), he came without family and is being supported (taken care of) by host families and all the medical staff... he is an amazing 10 year old boy... so wise beyond his years. I loved interacting with him and helping him do art... actually on this day... I was able to have one-on-one time with him. He was so thankful to get out of his room even if he was in pain sitting in his wheelchair even if I had to continuously adjust him in his chair supporting the best I could with pillows. Another beautiful soul, a five year old is here from Peru, he is also her alone and being cared for by host families and all medical staff (we are their family). He drank some chemical poison that ate away his esophogus when he was age one. He has not eaten for nearly 3 years or more... and has been kept alive by tube feeding. He has had various surgeries to reconstruct an artifical esophogus and all is coming along very well. I was doing activities with him on Monday after Music Therapy... and his host dad mentioned that when he took his first swallow just a couple of weeks ago... he immediately put his hands together and began to pray. (I cried inside when I heard this... while watching him do his art activity so intently/peacefully... and my eyes filled with tears, happy tears)

...

Just a couple of days ago... I spent some time in the Oncology unit with a 17 year old beautiful soul and high risk Leukemia patient, I took her some activities (art activities) and at the same time she was getting ready to play the guitar. The music therapist (whom I have known for five years) asked her what song she wanted to hear and to strum along to... she said "I want to live"... yet again... major reality check, like a stab to my chest. ~Sigh~ I leave each day with all these moments and literal/direct sense of awareness (so many moments that truly touch my soul)... I am beyond thankful/appreciative and so ready to face the next day, actually eager... to say the very least.

Everyday I can write 100 stories or more... about my direct interactions with such amazing children and medical staff... and how I feel so fulfilled to be with them day after day... presenting them with creative activities that brings forth somekind of normalacy in such a stressful/overwhelming and even tragic times.

Content, . Fulfilled... very much so... I can't even began to say.

Well... o.k., I can... ~Smile.

I just wanted to share with all of you... and I think of many of you here.

~Wishing you all well. (((((Endless Hugs)))))

,
Julie

it's always GOOD to see someone with a passion
& using that passion to do good things in the world.

GOOD FOR YOU Freespirit.

do it as well as you can
for as long as you possibily can

your positivity can & will inspire others.

I love that you're doing something so great!
I get to work with kids in my job too, not exactly like you, but I enjoy interacting with them as well.

How wonderful for you ...
and the kids...


thank you for lifting my spirits this evening!

Julie...

One of the biggest gifts is knowing you're really making a difference. You've earned that gift many times over and are an selfless example of that... you're an angel!

I am having memoriez of kindergarten- one of my favourite thingz to do I recall was when da teachers squirted different coloured paintz on da table and we were all allowed to mix it around wif our bare handz and make multi-coloured patternz and get all messy!!

I also remember art classes as a kid...loved those!!!

You must have an absolute blast- and your studentz will remember u forever cause you gave em a chance to learn n have fun at da same timez!!!

You go girl!!

I remember you telling me years ago...of a story of a young boy brought to your hospital. I believe he was from the middle east (Iraq, maybe?)...he was brought over for surgery, unable to receive it in the country where he lived. I remember you talking about interacting with him, and how it felt, with the same reverence, respect, appreciation and fulfillment that you do here. You said you went and bought him something from the gift shop...you wanted him to take it with him before he left. I think you even showed me a newspaper article written about his journey here and the health of his body before he arrived.

So many things go full circle in life...everything happens for a reason...

Beautiful story to share, Julie...

Ok... I just had this amazing conversation over the phone with a very special person. I feel soooo sentimental... a huge human ball full of sentimental mess.

althom said:

This dear Allistair... I know... and I have always wished to see these moments of yours, I want to know you Allistair. I can visualize... but I would love to see one day.

mltijchr said:

and thank you.

~Beautiful hugs you way.

I'm so happy for you Jules! It sounds like you're right where you want to be!

PurpleThunder said:

You see much truth Terra... I believe that in you.

And by the way beautiful Terra, before my day begins... I need, yes need my coffee too. Coffee definitely makes me a better person, actually I can barely function without at least one cup. I am actually quite serious.

PiscesGlenn said:

:mooshy: How wonderful I can share it all with you. Thank you for reading.

~Hugs.

INSATIABLE said:

... even I struggle from time to time.

I have not seen you for some time here, miss you.

All well?

lilmissmissy said:

A parent ask me the other day...

Are you a volunteer... or do you actually get paid?

but someone has to do it.

Freespirit said:

Da fact dat you love what you do is just a beautiful thing!! You feel your weight in gold as a soul on this earth when you love what you do and keep giving 2 da world what da universe gave 2 u

Freespirit said:

Love ya lots hun...you do wonderful things for important people that are sometimes over looked in our everyday lives...for that you inspire me every day and let me believe there are still good people out there on the days when chaos enters my world through work and people are doing unimaginable things to one another...thankyou for being the beautiful soul that you are and touching every one of our lives with your kindness and open heart

Byron said:

A boy from Bosnia... he was caught in the middle of war gunshots while trying to find refugee. Amra and her family (a former co-worker) are refugees of war... from Bosnia. That day, was a very emotional day... for Amra shared much about her own experiences within concentration camps and war events during her life. She just turned 21... although is wise beyond years.

As for the boy... they surgically removed a bullet or bullets that had still existed, near vital organs. I bought him a Etcha-Sketch (sp?). I remember.

Byron. Your memory is always so outstanding. Thank you.

Whaaat???

You're gay too???

ReturnOfDOOK said:

I still want to travel the world and that includes San Francisco/Oakland area.

2the9s said:

Shut up you jealous fool!! Dont be messin with my girl Julie...shes happy today...you can pick on my crabby ass all you want tonight!

So many happy things happening for everyone today...Im slowly getting outta the crabby mood...9s...thanx for bringing me back

Freespirit said:

Winnipeg??? Bring DOOKie with ya!

2the9s said:

Gay and happy... yes.



Come over.

PurpleThunder said:

What do you say Paul? Or when... should I ask.

Terra... I am very serious. I am so due for a trip... and with summer coming... Canada is one of my most favorite places to be.

I am gonna hold you to that, ok.

Freespirit said:

Anytime...just lemme know in advance so I can take time off

Beautiful!

Freespirit said:

Ok!!! I now know Julie has had a few drinks!

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

I KNEW it!!

Muse2NOPharaoh said: