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The Fisher House is a place for the families of patients to stay while they receive medical care at major military medical centers. There are 61 Fisher Houses around the country, with more in the building and planning stages. Rooms are suite style, with adjoining rooms available, so that families can stay together. There is a common kitchen, laundry facilities, and large dining and living areas. Families always stay for free.
This morning, I helped provide breakfast for the current residents of our local Fisher House. This is the second month I have taken part in this fun undertaking. Once a month, 8-10 of us bring various parts of what turns out to be a huge, restaurant quality breakfast. This week, our spread consisted of 3 kinds of quiche, 2 kinds of muffins, sausage and bacon, bagels and flavored cream cheese, and a huge platter of fresh fruit. I made yogurt, fruit, and granola parfaits.
We had a full, busy, and appreciative kitchen as families came through, served themselves, and then enjoyed their full plates. I recognized one family from last month -- a dad, a pretty pregnant mom, and three beautiful (and painfully shy) little girls, ages 3 to about 8. They are originally from the next state over, currently stationed in Germany, and here for medical treatment. And they've been here for at least a month.
Now don't get me wrong - the Fisher House is great. It's big, and clean, and warm, and friendly, and has everything you need. But it's not home. I can't help but think - the days and weeks must be getting long, especially with little kids, and another on the way.
So I am working with the volunteer coordinator to go back next week, and hopefully every week. Not to provide a meal, but hopefully to provide some entertainment, or least some distraction. I'm thinking maybe a craft or cooking project: maybe we could make door decorations for the other families or bake rainbow bread. Maybe the weather will still be warm, and we could go outside to chalkpaint the sidewalks, or have a whipped cream war. These three beautiful, shy little girls look like they haven't done anything messy and fun for a while. They're due.
If you'd like more information about volunteer opportunities
or wish to donate to the Fisher House, please click here.
