There are defining moments in everyone’s lives that are unforgettable--some are good, and some are not. For example, when a young man asks his girl to marry him and she says “YES!”—that is a special moment. And then there are those moments that are not so good; like when Danielle and I sat in the Oakland Children's Hospital Conference Room (a small room with bare walls, and no windows) and were told that Logan, my 1st grandson, has Spinal Muscular Dystrophy with Respiratory Distress (SMARD).
SMARD is a rare disease in which most children don’t live to see their 2nd birthday. Logan was only 3 months old when he was diagnosed, and we were told that there is no cure. As I looked around the room, I couldn't help but wonder how many families have had this exact life-changing moment as they are being told of their children’s diagnoses.
Sitting in that bare room, I suddenly felt inspired to hire an artist to paint a beautiful mural on the walls. My hope is that when parents walk into this room they would, for at least 10 seconds, be transported to the beautiful Mediterranean Ocean. This would be the image they first remember when they recall the day in which their lives changed with their child’s diagnosis.
This mural will be my gift in Logan's honor, to all of the families that walk into this small room and leave as changed people. I hope that the beauty of God's creation will wrap its arms around each of them and administer peace, love and most of all hope.
We have been at the children's hospital for 3 months now, and plan to remain here for a while. I love the time I spend with Logan—he is so precious to me. So many times over the past few months, I've seen tears of compassion, love, hope, and sadness. The hospital is an amazing place with incredible people who work hard and are dedicated to improving the lives of so many young people like Logan. It has been my honor to make this contribution to the families who have hard days ahead of them.
If you would like to join me in giving this wonderful gift, contributions can be made to:
Peggy Thomas
For: Mural for Oakland’s Children’s Hospital
35 Calle Este
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
