Thankful for a Good Boy

The first in a series of thankful reflections

The Chief Love and Comfort Officer at the Fort Worth Ronald McDonald House is a friendly, black and white, five-year-old Australian Labradoodle. Chief’s job is to help relieve stress, play, and help families in any way possible during their stay at the Fort Worth Ronald McDonald House.

If you are wondering ‘who is a good boy?’…Chief fits the bill.

What a blessing it is to those who are spending time at the Ronald McDonald House to have a loving companion greet them each day when returning to their home away from home. Unconditional love and comfort…

I was lucky enough to meet Chief recently when we visited my friend, Lauri Adams at Ronald McDonald House. My wife and I volunteer to serve meals there from time to time. Not too long ago, Lauri gave us a house tour which included some
one-on-one time with the Chief Love and Comfort Officer. Lauri is the COO of the Fort Worth Ronald McDonald House and also Chief’s Mom.

Lauri is a talented woman. In addition to the responsibility of being Chief’s handler, she oversees the operation of this supportive home-like community that eases the burdens of seriously ill children and their families. Such responsibility includes a staff of sixteen house relations team members, fifty-seven bedrooms each with their own private bath, laundry facilities, play areas, and daily warm meals in the community kitchen.

Lately, the House has been at full capacity and full capacity indicates the need for additional donations. Those donations include monetary support from the community and also gifts of supplies. In the past few months, Pam and I have donated not only funds, but also paper towels, individual breakfast cereal boxes, and serving gloves to their cause.

I think that Lauri has her hands full offering hospitality to the families staying at the house, maintaining supplies to continue the operation, overseeing the staff, and ensuring that the facility is maintained properly. I am thankful for the dedication of my friend, who, had she chosen to take her skills to the corporate world, would undoubtedly be highly compensated for her abilities.

When I asked about her decision to give herself fully to the mission of the Ronald McDonald House, she described her choice as one of love, a privilege, and an honor to be a part of such a wonderful community. Lauri told me that she doesn’t have bad days, as she is a first-hand witness to the results of the efforts of a village coming together to provide for those away from home for their children with illnesses.

“I love walking through those front doors every day”, Lauri told me.

For more than twenty years, Lauri Adams has dedicated her efforts to easing the burdens of those whose lives have been interrupted by childhood illness. By my count, more than ten thousand families have been able to take refuge at the Fort Worth Ronald McDonald House during her tenure.

Today I am thankful for the ongoing mission of the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth, and for the work of all the employees and volunteers that make those goals come true. These community servants make difficult situations more manageable for many hurting families.

And…I am thankful for a good boy named Chief, who models his unconditional love and comfort on the example that his mom has been displaying for more than twenty years. Thank you, Lauri, for sharing your expression of love and comfort for all to see!

Thanks for listening!

Your friend,
KBM

Kevin Medlin
kevin@mysilentpew.com

To learn more about the work of the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Worth, please visit: https://rmhfw.org/