From the Heart

Chapter VIII

Abel kept his promise to Daisy. After leaving Massachusetts, Daisy returned to school soon after. Abel and Daisy had daily video chats to help Daisy with schoolwork. Later, Abel found himself helping a few other patients occasionally to help them keep up in school. It was evident to Abel that these kids needed more support with academics. He reached out to some of the donors, who were educators. After a long conference call, the Foundation would have an academic support department. The educators would volunteer their time. The educators would offer free tutoring to patients. The tutoring would help patients keep up in school, despite being absent from school. The tutors would work closely with the patients' teachers. The academic support was for the patients, but it gave Abel a purpose, too. Abel needed some of the stress of always being invested in the Foundation lifted off.

Spring break had arrived, Abel and Bailey were focused on everyone involved in the Foundation. They still had many requests from people to volunteer their time at a fundraiser or event. Abel and Bailey wanted to fulfill these people's wishes to do good through volunteering. The first event the teens were planning was for patients and families. The event would take place in Texas. Carol had made reservations at a pool club where the event was going to take place. Bailey and Abel recruited some volunteers to help host the event. Bailey and Abel took an early flight to Texas. All the volunteers were at the pool when they arrived. The teens gave instructions to everyone before they started setting up. "I know we have a lifeguard, but it would be helpful to have a few more. Anyone a lifeguard?" Abel asked. Several of the younger volunteers raised their hands. "Great, thanks." The volunteers set up the food tables near the picnic tables. The pool party was ready upon the patients' and their families' arrival. The kids went for the pool deck, while parents went to the picnic tables. The extra lifeguards were sitting around the pool. Bailey and Abel visited with parents first. It made the teens pleased to see the parents finding support from one another. The volunteers were nervous about interacting with the patients and families in fear of either offending them or being insensitive. Many of the patients were incapable of swimming. Yet, they found the idea of swimming fascinating. Several patients had their siblings with them. The volunteering lifeguards observed the interaction between the patients and their siblings. What they witnessed was the patients with siblings were in the pool. The siblings were keeping the patients afloat. The siblings were either holding the patients or carrying them. Some patients were on floaties, but their siblings kept close.

One of the lifeguard volunteers approached one of the patients. "Hello, I am Laura. What is your name?" "My name is Charlie." "Do you want to swim?" "Sort of, but I cannot because I will drown. My legs are injured." Charlie spoke fearfully. "What if I was your swimming partner? I will not let you go! Do you trust me?" Charlie looked at Laura with reservation and uncertainty. Laura gave an encouraging and sincere smile. "I do trust you." Charlie lifted his arms, allowing Laura to pick him up. As Laura carried him, Charlie held Laura with a tight grip. "Do not be nervous," Laura assured him as they entered the water. Laura cradled Charlie. "So, how old are you?" Laura asked. "I'm seven," "Do you want to go over where everyone else is?" "Yes!" All the swimmers were gathered together. "Who wants to play Marco Polo?" Charlie asked. Everyone got excited. The patient piggy-back rode their swim buddy. The swim buddy swam but allowed the patients to do the tagging and dictate the direction. The other volunteer lifeguards noticed Laura's act and decided to follow her lead. After Marco Polo, everyone circled up and played ice breaker games. Bailey and Abel came over to join the games. The pool party ended on account of hunger. The younger people got food and gathered at picnic tables. The youthful volunteers continued to hang out with the patients.

Ashton and Abel joined the patients and volunteers for lunch. "Abel, can you teach us how to dance?" Charlie asked. "Sure, let us move to the grass." Many patients partnered with the volunteer that helped them in the pool. Throughout the dance lesson, the patients sometimes felt defeated. The volunteers soon recognized that adjustments and understanding were needed for the patients to know they could dance. The volunteers took the same approach as they did in the pool: Be encouraging. "Hey, this is my first-time partner dancing. I am going to need your help, take the lead. We both need to leave with some dance moves," Laura jokingly spoke. Laura got Charlie to smile and chuckle. Everyone as putting effort into dancing by the end of the lesson. "So, what dance did you like the best?" How about you?" Charlie asked. "I liked the ballroom dances the best! How about you?" Laura exhaustingly replied. "I liked all the dances. I felt like I challenged myself and accomplished something," Charlie proudly said. Laura surprised Charlie with a sweaty hug. Bailey joined Abel in the front. Together they gave a heart-warming farewell, and thanks. "I am looking at some of the most incredible, selfless, and strong people we know. We are privileged to say that our friends are such incredible people." Bailey was speaking with honor. "Thank you for making today successful. We will see each other again. While we continue our journey, you continue yours," Abel finished.