How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

57- Just Like You

Clara

Anthony was away for a few games so it was just me and Maddie hanging out at the house for a while. I didn't want to travel being seven months pregnant and I didn't want Anthony worried about me so I just stayed home.

And during my time alone in Chicago I decide to grab Maddie and go to the children's hospital. I had all the time in the world and I wanted to keep painting before my belly got too big that I won't be able to reach the canvas.

The kids loved when Maddie came to the hospital. She was a lot like many of the children who lost a part of them to cancer. She had bone cancer and her other owners chose to save her life even if that meant losing her. I really wish I could find her old owners and thank them for doing the right thing and let them know their sweet little angel is in a good home.

Being the good girl that she is she stays right next to me as we make our way down the hallway. She was going registered as a service dog, just not for any of my services. They were working on making a arts and crafts room in the hospital but it wasn't quite ready yet. And until then I was more than okay with using my travel set.

"Hello Ms. Clara" a little voice says and I look down.

I see my one of my favorite little girls staring up at me. Her name was Tatum and she was 5 years old. She had lukemia but besides the bald head and the scars from surgery you could never tell she was sick. She had a smile on her face at all times and was always positive. She can talk your ear off about anything and she could make you feel so good inside. I wish nothing more than for my own daughter to be like her.

"Hiya Tatum, how are you today" I ask bending down so I could talk to her. She pets Maddie in her sweet spot and the dog was having the time of her life.

"I'm doing good! Is Anthony here" she asks.

"Nope. He's out of town so it looks like you're stuck with me" I tease.

"That's okay, you're a lot prettier than him anyway" she says and I laugh.

"You can't tell him that" I insist.

"It's okay... he knows" she claims. "I already told him."

Kids these days the darnest things...

"What do you say to me finally painting you today" I ask and she lights up.

"Me? Really" she gasps.

"Well of course. Now that I'm here not when you're getting treatment I don't see why you and I can't chill out today. As long as it's okay with your parents and your doctors I would love to hang out with you" I insist.

After taking to her doctors they agree that it is safe for me and Maddie to hang out in Tatum's room for today. I meet her parents there and they help me get set up in the corner while Tatum played with Maddie.

"Thank you so much for doing this" her mom starts. "When we first got here Tatum saw some of the other paintings you've done and she was hoping you would make her one."

"I wanted to the first time Anthony and I met her. But we met her over in the left wing when she was getting treatment. She still had that same smile on her face, still as happy as ever. But we couldn't stay long when she was down there so we had to wait. But I'm more than excited to make her own personal painting" I insist.