Award? who Really Deserves It?

Yesterday, two very nice representatives from the Lymphoma  - Leukemia Society visited WF with an award for Evan and I.   They presented Evan and I with a plaque with our names  and a statement  on it saying we were receiving the  Society's President's Award for having a "corporate culture that supports employees dealing with a catastrophic illness or a family crisis." The award was presented in the presenceof WF employees, a couple of family members and the mayor of the city. Pictures were taken and there were smiles all around.

An employee spent the last 11 months dealing with a teenage son with leukemia. We facilitated her caring for him by being understanding of schedule differences and offering other support when the need arose.  That is what we do. It was easy. We do not deserve an award for it because that is who we are. 

The employee is the who deserves an award for her many trips  back and forth to the hospital in a rickety car  through blinding snowstorms; for emotionally supporting a scared, very ill, 16 year old who should have been in high school, playing baseball, riding his bike, learning to drive and maybe finding a girlfriend, rather than undergoing brutal treatments to save him form a brutal disease; for making up all the hours she misssed work; for presenting a business like and professional face to the business, while  her insides where in contant turmoil; for learning everything no one would want to know concerning leukemia treatments on her precious, only son. Through her efforts, and the efforts of the medical community, he will be entering school again in a few weeks; he is riding his bike again, and he has a twinkle in his eye that shines with happiness and hope; and she still has her job.

So the plaque will be hung -the story will be sent to the local paper with a few pictures, and life will go on. Evan and I will continue to attempt to fulfill our mission to be of service to others. If another award is given, it will be just as much a surprise as this one was. The reward ( if any) for us is in the doing. We are  blessed and thankful  that we can be of service.