19 December 2020
How do you motivate an eight year old boy, prior being hospitalized for a week, for receiving another round of intense chemotherapy?
Especially, after he knows what awaits him?
● Constant nauseas,
● Not able to eat,
● Feeling weak,
● Frustrated, because his life had been viciously interrupted,
● Not being able to play outside,
● Receiving additional fluids intravenous to flush the kidneys (because this round of chemotherapy can cause permanent kidneys failures), thus sleeping is not really an option!
The previous week he told me with eyes full of tears:
“I don’t want to live this life and what did I do wrong to deserve this?”…
As a mother, I try daily, various attempts to find solutions to keep him motivated.
One of those attempts was to make one of his dreams come true – to sail on a boat at sea.
With the assistance of a group of extraordinary human beings, this special day was organised.
Despite of everything that happened to my son, he never have imagined in his life time – he would actually be a ”skipper” of a boat.
Not even I could have foreseen what was going to unfold that day.
In the video below, you will see my dearest son could not stop smiling and still cannot stop talking about it.
He even tried, very eagerly, numerous times to push me overboard :-)
During the cruise on the boat, I spoke to one of the crew members. Curious to find out how he ended up as I crew member.
His story was quite interesting on why he became a specialist paramedic and that he is VOLUNTEERING at the NSRI.
(I am embarrassed to admit – I didn’t know that the NSRI is a NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION.
The NSRI is run by over 1200 highly skilled volunteers who are on standby day and night throughout the year.)
After an awesome day in Hermanus, my son could not stop verbalising his excitement about the fact that he met so many heroes and just wanted to recreate the adventures of the day.
Curiosity took over (as always) and the questions started.
I would like to share a specific one with you today:
“Mommy, what is a volunteer?”
After explaining, his response was:
“What?
Do all of those people take their own special time to help others?
Why risk their lives to help others and not even getting paid any money?
Why??”
I elaborated on the topic and explained that it means that they are
Selfless.
Noble.
It is the opposite of Selfish.
To be selfless is to act or help other people
From the goodness of your heart and soul
Even if it means to receive no reward.
Volunteers are generous and kind
Putting the lives of other people before themselves
The silence between us were louder than the waves hitting the rocks on the seashore.
His restlessness pushed him into overdrive, leaving him only with a big confusing frown….
I sat back and was in awe, by this little human of mine.
Pondering what is going through his mind?
Anxiousness was replaced with serenity.
His frown dissolved into his warm smile that radiates peace and happiness.
Silence was broken by a confident little voice:
“Mommy, I think volunteers are disciples of Jesus – they also want to help and save other people and I think that is pretty epic.
They must trust Jesus a lot to know, that He will always carry them safely back to shore.”
Another extended pause.
But he wasn’t finished.
“Mommy, when I grow up, I want to be the skipper of my own boat.
I want to help other people, but, animals too.
Jesus will be my Captain and carry us all safe to shore!”
Hope you enjoy the video, as much as he enjoyed this amazing day, with these extraordinary noble men and women of the NSRI Hermanus Station 17.
I want to give a special thanks to Andre Barnard, NSRI Hermanus Station Commander, Jonathan Fourie, the entire Hermanus Sea Rescue crew, Ferdi Krige and Deon Langenhoven for making this unforgettable dream a reality.
Thank you for making him believe in his dreams again, to “see“ the future, encouraged him to be courageous
And
Subconsciously replacing “if I grow up” with “when I grow up”.
For one day, cancer was forgotten, and he was just a boy, living, laughing and loving life.
An adventure forever engraved in his memories.
I am sincerely grateful.
PS.
Should you want to donate to this selfless rescue cause to help save life’s
OR
Should you want to become part of the NSRI family please visit their website for more details on how you can contribute and make a difference.
You will be surprised on how many different ways you can become part of the NSRI Family. We don’t have to be sailors, or even like spinach:-) , to save a life and make a difference!!
Stay safe
All my love
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