Easter Buddies 2004

Happy Easter!
from the Easter Buddies
(Jean B, Tina B, Tina G, Cindy L, Sheri L, Laurie M, Cindy W)


Did you ever have that feeling like there has got to be something I (we) can do for others? Well, we (the Easter Buddies) sure have and at the inspiration of a dear dear friend (Cindy, you know who you are!) we followed through with it and started. That was Easter 2001. This is Easter 2004. As you can see this venture definitely involves the kids as well as the ladies. We have grown from putting together over 80 baskets the first year, to three years running now of putting together 104 baskets for children from ages 0 through high school who have to be in our area's Children's hospital over Easter. This labor of love has changed slightly over the years in its practical implementation, but the heart behind it remains the same. We are just a bunch of ladies who know we have been blessed by God and want to be a blessing to others!
	The adventure begins each year with an e-mail sent amongst the group setting a date for the "assembly day". This is always sort of the "Go" marker to remind us to start the shopping. We realize we could just bulk order some quantities of whatever items. But that is not how we want it to be. We want to literally hand chose what will go in each basket. One of the ladies has all teenagers, so she focuses on them. I have a baby and preschooler, so I am drawn that way. And we all just love coming home with our treasures! On assembly day, part of the joy and the heartbreak is imagining each child's (family's) case and what it will be like for them. We have talked of girls beading together their first craft purse, of babies who might have their stuffed bunny placed in their isolet next to them for company, of boys shooting hoops with their foam basketball waiting patiently for the day that they will be able to experience the "real" thing. The caregivers are also in the forefront of our minds'. Realizing how it must feel for them to be able to announce to the child they have been caring for, for possibly months, that they have something for them. And being able to present them with an Easter basket full of goodies, instead of having to wheel them to their next treatment. Don't get me wrong, we know these are just Easter Baskets, and really the real reason any of these children are in the hospital has not been changed by this act. Yet, we pray that their hearts have been touched to know that some "Buddies" have gotten together to honor them this day.
Invariably at least one of the "Buddies" can't make it to the "assembly day", but they are still very much a part of that day's festivities, in heart. These ladies truly are wonderful and I get to come along for the ride * grins *.

This is the poem which is written on each of the gift tags:

These Special Wishes
Are Just for You ...

When you close your eyes at the
end of each day, I wish you
contented and peaceful sleep.
When you are fearful or uncertain,
I wish for warmth and light
to surround you.
When you dream,
I wish you soaring images and
endless possibilities.
When you wake each morning,
I wish you the joy of anticipating
a beautiful day ahead.
When you face problems,
I wish you boundless strength and
courage to guide you.
When you walk along your path,
I wish you lasting friendships
to brighten your way.
Most of all,
I wish you love ...
to fill your heart and make your
world complete.

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