What an exciting day we had. We were asked to be the hospital’s guests at the 2015 Bronco’s Kickoff Luncheon today. Off course it was an honor. We enjoyed getting dressed up and heading to Dove Valley, the Broncos new and absolutely phenomenal training facility. The excitement was palpable and it was mixed with nerves as well for Daniel. I was just happy for Daniel to be at this place that he was healthy enough to go, that he was well enough to be amoungst all these people and without his mask and get to eat the food (whatever it would be) and to possibly meet some football players. I was also nervous about falling on my ass in my heels and tight skirt of which I haven’t worn in forever and embarrassing Daniel. I think this is what he was most nervous about. He had already taken me shopping to pick my appropriate dress. He had approved my hair and overall look before leaving the house and I had had a phone camera training and arm length list of do and do nots to abide by. I was so worried from all the warnings about embarrassing Daniel in front of his football heros that I was pretty sure I was going to just show up and sit in a corner, or quite possibly just waste the great hair day and sit in the car. Thank goodness he approved and let me out because it was damn hot out today. Upon arrival and meeting the lovely Christy (our hospital boss) we entered this amazing place. Got our name tags and went in. Daniel’s eyes were like saucers. He wasn’t really to interested in the first auction items. Could it be because he is a snob, or that he already has a personalized Peyton Manning Jersey. Do I worry that he didn’t get as excited as most of the grown men in the room standing in line to take their picture with the Lombardi Trophy because he shrugged and said ‘eh , you can’t hold these and I already have so many pictures already’- Geez has he peaked too soon. Well he took a picture. But then the next stop was some alumni signing autographs. There was Billy Thompson and Karl Mecklenburg sitting at a table. Daniel remembered that way at back last year Billy Thompson was kind enough to visit him during his first round of chemo in the hospital (6-30). He was so kind back then and wonderful to Daniel. Daniel waited his turn and went right up to him, stretched out his hand and said I am Daniel Hailpern. Do you remember me? You came to visit me a year ago in the hospital when I had Leukemia. Billy Thompson put down his pen stood up and said ‘Oh My G-d, I do, look at you’ he gave Daniel a hug congratulated Daniel on how great he looked. Then he stepped away from his signing table and gave me one of the greatest hugs I have ever had and kindly whispered what a great job I did. I thanked him for how meaningful his visit was to us and how it mad such a difference to Daniel. He took a lot of time with us that day and it was never forgotten. At this point I was teary and in fear of my makeup running all over the place and I tied really hard to hold it together. Not surprisingly, Daniel skipped the next table which was the cheerleaders.
We made our way to our table at Daniel’s request since his ankles are still really bothering him (admittedly I was grateful, 20 minutes in and these heels were not a great idea). At the table Christy started introducing us to other members of the Hospital Foundation and all of them had nothing but wonderful things to say and praise for Daniel. One gentleman and I spent more than a few minutes talking, some about his child and how at a young age they had ALL (Leukemia) after congratulating me for Daniel’s success it hit me hard when he took the time to acknowledge how hard it has been for me. I don’t take the time to listen to this very often and this time Daniel was hearing it a bit too. Again the tears started to come a bit. I tried very hard to not cry today. I knew this was all about Daniel enjoying himself. Then one of the heads of the Broncos came to introduce himself to us. He first shook Daniels hand then mine and knew who Daniel was immediatly. He spoke directly to Daniel and welcomed him warmly and said he has been waiting to meet Daniel for a very long time and was so glad he could finally join him here today. He wanted Daniel to know that he has been following Daniel’s story for a long time and that Daniel is sort of famous around there. He then told Daniel that He is part of the reason that the partnersip between Children’s Hospital and the Broncos has happened and that Daniel has been a huge inspiration to many people in the organization. Well that was it for me. I buried my face in my purse looking for tissue trying not to embarrass my baby. Meanwhile Daniel just stood taller and shook this man’s hand and said thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here. Oy so professional. How proud was I in that moment. He is grabbing his moment. He deserves being right where he is. I hope every person who encounters Daniel realizes the hard work he has had to do to get where he is today.
We enjoyed lunch and he chatted with a Bronco or two. I know he will have several more opportunities coming up to meet more and more in depth as well. He contained himself and didn’t overstep his boundaries today with what he wanted to do (ie. Chase down Peyton Manning). I was proud of how he handled himself today and I was proud that I didn’t fall or fall to pieces. I hope he was proud of me for that at least.
We made our way to our table at Daniel’s request since his ankles are still really bothering him (admittedly I was grateful, 20 minutes in and these heels were not a great idea). At the table Christy started introducing us to other members of the Hospital Foundation and all of them had nothing but wonderful things to say and praise for Daniel. One gentleman and I spent more than a few minutes talking, some about his child and how at a young age they had ALL (Leukemia) after congratulating me for Daniel’s success it hit me hard when he took the time to acknowledge how hard it has been for me. I don’t take the time to listen to this very often and this time Daniel was hearing it a bit too. Again the tears started to come a bit. I tried very hard to not cry today. I knew this was all about Daniel enjoying himself. Then one of the heads of the Broncos came to introduce himself to us. He first shook Daniels hand then mine and knew who Daniel was immediatly. He spoke directly to Daniel and welcomed him warmly and said he has been waiting to meet Daniel for a very long time and was so glad he could finally join him here today. He wanted Daniel to know that he has been following Daniel’s story for a long time and that Daniel is sort of famous around there. He then told Daniel that He is part of the reason that the partnersip between Children’s Hospital and the Broncos has happened and that Daniel has been a huge inspiration to many people in the organization. Well that was it for me. I buried my face in my purse looking for tissue trying not to embarrass my baby. Meanwhile Daniel just stood taller and shook this man’s hand and said thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here. Oy so professional. How proud was I in that moment. He is grabbing his moment. He deserves being right where he is. I hope every person who encounters Daniel realizes the hard work he has had to do to get where he is today.
We enjoyed lunch and he chatted with a Bronco or two. I know he will have several more opportunities coming up to meet more and more in depth as well. He contained himself and didn’t overstep his boundaries today with what he wanted to do (ie. Chase down Peyton Manning). I was proud of how he handled himself today and I was proud that I didn’t fall or fall to pieces. I hope he was proud of me for that at least.