As I lay in bed yesterday after temporarily fixing my bed from the cats (another story, another time) I started thinking about the time we spent at Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor. While it was not home it was pretty darn close. We knew with Liberty being so fragile and in the NICU that we would not be able to comfortably commute from home which was an hour away from the hospital but we also couldn't sleep in the NICU for what we originally thought would be 15 weeks. At the Ronald McDonald house we had our own bedroom with two twin beds that we pushed together to make a "bigger" bed and we shared a bathroom with one other room. Also while staying at Ronald McDonald someone came in every night to make dinner and/or leave treats and as parents busy with sick children the dinner and treats were always appreciated. We also all had a chore each day but if it was not possible to get the chore done then that was okay as well. There were a few times we stayed at the hospital late or didn't go back to the house for 24 hours when our chores were not done and while I always felt bad I knew it was more important to be with our little girl.
In the end when we lost Liberty, we were grateful that we were able to stay so close to her for as long as she was here on Earth with us. The day we lost Libby the Social worker at the hospital called Ronald McDonald to first get my baby blanket from the house to hold Libby with and then when we had to leave Ann Arbor the house was great about letting us get our stuff and leave, they understood how hard it was for us. In leaving we left food that I hope others were able to enjoy.
My hopes are that we will never have to go through a situation like this again but I know if we do we will stay at the Ronald McDonald House again. I also feel that I owe Ronald McDonald House more than the money we gave them for staying there; without them I would not have been able to be close to my baby for those beautiful 3 weeks she was here. So with that in mind I am asking all my followers (all 4 of you) to start saving your pop (or beer) tabs. They really do amount to something for the Ronald McDonald House and the families that stay there. Once you have a pile let me know and I will come collect them from you and take them to the House.
We don't have cans often but I will definitely scrounge up what I can - and spread the word. I am thankful R McD house was there for you guys so you could be there for Libby.
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