MY TWO BIGGEST FLAWS...
My two biggest flaws are lack of patience and lack of appreciation for the moment. This is not something I decided…it’s been confirmed by most of my friends, all of my co-workers, an ex-wife, and four therapists.
I don’t like waiting for stuff or for things to happen. I’m convinced that If there was a place you could go and instantly be given total happiness and spiritual fulfillment, I would be the one going, “Ummm, how long is the line? Let’s come back another time."
As for appreciating the moment, I’m always too busy looking ahead to savor what’s going on right now. I don’t stop and smell the roses, I think about next month when there’s a cold front and the roses are gonna be dead so we better get some new roses in here. Come on people, let’s get movin!
It is these two character flaws of mine that make the Kidd’s Kids trip so personally important. Because for me, it’s not just a chance to help children who are sick and deserve a break…it’s also my annual life lesson.
These families teach me patience. When you have a child who’s different, everything takes longer. You don’t get in the car and go, you unstrap your child from his wheel chair, you carefully lift him out and secure him in the car. You fold up the chair and put it in the trunk, and when you get where you’re going, you do the whole thing in reverse.
You can’t just go out to dinner. First there’s the 45 minute breathing treatment before you leave, then the shot you have to give them that makes you both sad, then collecting all the medications and taking them all with you just in case. Even with all the preparation, with everybody in the car ready to go, there’s always the chance that your special child won’t feel good and the whole thing is canceled.
But the toughest thing to be patient about is the answer to the hardest question, “When is (s)he going to get better?”
What I learn from the moms and dads (and even from the brothers and sisters because we take them all) is, “All in good time”. They realize that some things they cannot control…and that’s when they kick in with appreciating the moment. Because when there is no guarantee of tomorrow, today becomes a lot more special.
I have to smile when people give me credit for creating this charity, for my "selfless devotion to helping children". What I do is the opposite of selfless. I get a reality check. While too much of my life is people catering to me, for five days I get the chance to serve others. And I get a profound lesson in patience and appreciating the moment that, with some effort, can last me the whole year.
I don’t like waiting for stuff or for things to happen. I’m convinced that If there was a place you could go and instantly be given total happiness and spiritual fulfillment, I would be the one going, “Ummm, how long is the line? Let’s come back another time."
As for appreciating the moment, I’m always too busy looking ahead to savor what’s going on right now. I don’t stop and smell the roses, I think about next month when there’s a cold front and the roses are gonna be dead so we better get some new roses in here. Come on people, let’s get movin!
It is these two character flaws of mine that make the Kidd’s Kids trip so personally important. Because for me, it’s not just a chance to help children who are sick and deserve a break…it’s also my annual life lesson.
These families teach me patience. When you have a child who’s different, everything takes longer. You don’t get in the car and go, you unstrap your child from his wheel chair, you carefully lift him out and secure him in the car. You fold up the chair and put it in the trunk, and when you get where you’re going, you do the whole thing in reverse.
You can’t just go out to dinner. First there’s the 45 minute breathing treatment before you leave, then the shot you have to give them that makes you both sad, then collecting all the medications and taking them all with you just in case. Even with all the preparation, with everybody in the car ready to go, there’s always the chance that your special child won’t feel good and the whole thing is canceled.
But the toughest thing to be patient about is the answer to the hardest question, “When is (s)he going to get better?”
What I learn from the moms and dads (and even from the brothers and sisters because we take them all) is, “All in good time”. They realize that some things they cannot control…and that’s when they kick in with appreciating the moment. Because when there is no guarantee of tomorrow, today becomes a lot more special.
I have to smile when people give me credit for creating this charity, for my "selfless devotion to helping children". What I do is the opposite of selfless. I get a reality check. While too much of my life is people catering to me, for five days I get the chance to serve others. And I get a profound lesson in patience and appreciating the moment that, with some effort, can last me the whole year.
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Comment
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Comment by Cindy Devins mom on October 1, 2009 at 10:48am -
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day to help our kids. Your efforts make me cry because you try to understand the daily life of a child with special needs is very difficult. I wish more people could experience the joy of giving like you.
Keep up the good work. Cindy and Devin
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Comment by Kelli Jensen on October 1, 2009 at 10:32am -
Kidd,
Every year I am ruthless during Kidd's Kids day. I email everyone I know, I continually post on Facebook, I text everyone in my phonebook. This is so dear to my heart as I have a special needs child. I know what it's like to live and breathe fear and sadness and hope and life and innocence. I know the strain of traveling to doctor appointments and therapy sessions. I know what it's like to cherish every single day that you've made it past when doctors said you might not. I know what it's like to hold him when he is scared or in pain or when his feelings are hurting because he knows he is different and all he wants is a friend. But, I also know the joy of parenting a child that is so amazing and full of life and innocence. He sees the beauty in things that I had long forgotten. His face, his laughter, the way he talks to God, his strength, the way he dances around a room, he lights up everyone's life and that is a special gift. Kidd Kraddick, you get it. You get that every day these parents fight - emotionally, financially, spiritually. You get that they rarely get a moment of true peace, just to enjoy their family. You get that siblings endure a tremendous amount as well. What you do is so amazing, so huge because 1. these families need a break from reality. They need their spirit and strength renewed and a simple trip does that. 2. You remind the rest of the world to cherish moments, hug their children, be thankful and to reach out to others. My son, Cody, was sent to myself and my husband as a special gift and we are so thankful for the joy he brings to our family; the way he shows us the world. We spend our lives trying to pay it forward and bring awareness. Thank you for what you do, thank you for showing the world.
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Comment by ANGELA JAY on October 1, 2009 at 10:13am -
Kidd,
I agree with Marcy. You are awesome. I have been a police officer for 26 years and have seen many tragedies during my tenure. I truly wish there were more events like this for these kids. Every year I cry on the way to work listenening to the stories on kidds kids. I am a single parent of an 8 year old girl and thank the Lord everynight for her good health. I cant imagine the hurt, fear and heartbreak these kids and thier families go through. I was able to donate $100.00 this year and hopefully this will help some family have a wonderful vacation and lifelong memories. I hope to be able to do more next year. Thank you and keep up the good work.
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Comment by Marcy Emmons on October 1, 2009 at 9:45am
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Kidd,
What a gift these beautiful children are to you and the rest of us! I am blessed to have two beautiful girls age 1 and 2. I thank God everyday for them. I found out I had stage III breast cancer when I was 30 and my youngest was 6 weeks old. I've endured chemo, mastectomy, more chemo and radiation. They were my reason to fight and I am so grateful that it was me and not them having to endure all of that. My hat is off to the parents of the Kidds Kids. They are a special gift from God as well. Today I made a donation of $200. $100 for each of my kids. I wish it could have been more. When I finsihed all of my treatments we went to Disney World to celebrate. I know how special it will be for all of these families!! Thanks for all you and your show do!
Welcome To Kidd's Kids
I founded Kidd's Kids in 1991 with the hope of making a difference in the lives of terminally and chronically ill children. Each year, Kidd's Kids offers five amazing days of suspended reality to
children whose lives have been ravaged by disease. Kidd's Kids children and their families are given the chance to experience the exuberance of being "normal." That is the gift that you and I can
offer by supporting the Kidd's Kids organization. Signed,
children whose lives have been ravaged by disease. Kidd's Kids children and their families are given the chance to experience the exuberance of being "normal." That is the gift that you and I can
offer by supporting the Kidd's Kids organization. Signed,
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