Chapter 27

The next few months were a blur, but the foundation made huge strides. I had managed to keep the name under wraps, I wanted to unveil it during the dedication, that was less than forty five days away. The hospital had agreed to let me covert the extra waiting room into an arts and crafts center, I met with a local construction company to get a bid on the project. When the owner found out what the project was for, he donated all of the labor, the foundation paid for the materials only.

The room was ready to go a month before the dedication, it was spectacular to say the least. All four large walls had mural’s of castles, dragons, knights in armour and of course, a beautiful princess. One wall housed a large sixty inch flat panel TV, with a new DVD player for movies. One of the local video stores had donated close to one hundred children’s movies for our library, which were housed in a cabinet mounted on the wall. There were tables and chairs in the center of the room where the children could sit and draw, paint or read books. On the wall opposite the TV, there were huge bookcases which housed hundreds of children’s books which had been donated from a variety of sources. On the final wall, there were cabinets which housed drawing pads, paper, crayons paints, stencils, glue, stickers and just about anything else that you could imagine to do crafting.

The total cost of the room had come in at around twenty one thousand dollars, which was very low due to the many donations we received along the way. I had also ordered a dozen stand alone video game units that were portable, they could be moved from room to room. Each unit housed a thirty six inch flat screen TV, a top of the line video game console system with wireless controllers and a DVD unit for watching movies. These were specifically designed with long legs to roll under the foot of the bed and face the patient. These were to be used for children who may feel too weak to get out of bed. I wasn’t able to get any donations of these units, each of them cost roughly two thousand dollars each.

We also replaced the TV in the parents waiting room with a larger sixty inch flat screen, trying to make them as comfortable as possible. Just as I was putting the final touches on everything, a local toy store presented us with a ten thousand dollar gift card to buy anything we felt the children would enjoy. Jenny and a couple of her co-workers took charge of that project, loading the craft room with bright colourful toys for both boys and girls. About three weeks prior to the official dedication, I called back home to the Timmons, asking if they would be my guest at the dedication. They initially declined, but after I informed then that Courtney would be an intergral part of the foundation, they agreed to fly out the day before.

A week before the dedication, I picked up the final few pieces of the project from a local photographer and graphic designer. Those I would hold onto until just the day before. As part of the secret, the staff of the fourth floor had kept brown craft paper over all the windows and doors of the new craft room, it was locked, only a handful of people had actually been inside. Three days before the dedication, a large electronics giant in the area donated eighteen brand new small laptop computers, which could help the children possibly keep up with the school work they missed, due to lengthy hospital stays.

The dedication was set for Saturday morning at eleven in the morning. From what I understood, it was going to be quite crowded, the news media would be in attendance as well. I picked up Mr. & Mrs Timmons on Friday afternoon at the airport, driving them back to my condo. I showed them the guest room, they moved in and began unpacking. After about thirty minutes, they both came into the main room where I was sitting on the sofa.

“Brian, you have a very lovely home here.” Mrs. Timmons remarked.

“Thanks, but it’s not mine, I am only subletting for a couple of years. I will eventually have to buy something myself.” I replied.

We talked for a while, most about nothing that meant much at all. I couldn’t help but be saddened as I sat with them. Before we had lost Courtney, these people were like family to me, we were inseparable. Now, it was hard just to maintain a fluid conversation. Mr. Timmons love of football had waned considerable, he barely brought it up anymore.

Later that evening, I took them to dinner at a really nice restaurant, then dropped them off back at the condo. I had one thing left to do, prior to tomorrow’s dedication, it had to be done at night. I drove over to the hospital about nine that evening, I met with one of the contractor’s who would finish off the last, but most important details.

He was waiting for me on the fourth floor when I arrived, the large crate resting in the middle of the hall. Visiting hours were over, so only the night staff was on, it was extremely quiet. As we pulled the large framed art work from the crate, I explained to him where I wanted each of the piece’s hung. We then carried each of them to the appropriate places, he promised they would all be hung and draped for privacy by the time the morning shift came on. I thanked him and headed back home to get some sleep, it was going to be a long day tomorrow.

We left the condo about nine that morning, I called Alexis and asked if she wanted to ride with us, she told me she would take her own car and meet us there. By the time we parked and made our way into the lobby, the news media had already set up, they were waiting for interviews. I stepped in front of Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, trying to shield them from the chaotic activity. One female reporter forced her way forward, placing her microphone inches from my face.

“Brian, can you tell us why you decided to choose this hospital, why limit your foundation to just one project?” she asked.

“Everyone, I will make a statement just before the dedication, now please, respect all the hard work and effort that went into this and be patient.” I asked, making our way to the elevator.

The hospital had security posted as you exited the elevator, they were screening anyone who came onto the floor. We were admitted on the floor by security, then moved to the waiting room, which was really the only area available, total secrecy was in effect. Fifteen minutes before the dedication, the hospital’s CEO and a few of his staff walked into the waiting room. He noticed me and walked right over to where we were standing.

“Mr. Stevens, I can’t tell you what this day means to us here at Children’s Hospital. Your foundation has done a remarkable job in the past few months, no words from me can thank you enough.” he said, shaking my hand.

“You’re quite welcome sir.” I replied.

I then introduced him to Mr. and Mrs. Timmons, joking that they were my surrogate parents from back home. They both smiled at the remark, they each exchanged handshakes. We were signaled that it was time to start the dedication, we moved to the center of the fourth floor where the central nurses station was located, it was by far the biggest open area on the floor. There was a small podium that had been set up against the center wall, just over it hung a huge square object, a black cloth covering it completely. Like wise on both ends of the foor, they were similar objects hanging also draped.

The CEO stepped up to the podium, the news media’s cameras rolling as he leaned forward into the microphone.

“Good morning everyone, it gives me great pleasure to be here this morning for this wonderful event. I met with a young man many months ago here in my office, he had met and been inspired by one of our young patients he had visited here. He was immediately overwhelmed at the courage and spirit of that young man, taking him on a journey that has led us to this point. I’m sure you all know this young man, he is from our own San Diego football team, their rookie tight end sensation, Mr. Brian Stevens.” he stated, motioning me to come forward.

The crowd that was gathered applauded loudly, as I stepped up behind the microphone, I was as nervous as I had ever been in my life. Not only were there several hundred people here, this would be seen all over the state, maybe even the country. I reached into my pocket, withdrew a few index cards on which I had scribbled some notes. I spread them out in front of me, then leaned into the microphone.

“Thank you sir, for those kind words. As you were told, I arrived at this hospital, this floor quite by accident. I received a call from a parent informing me that his son, who was a patient here, was my biggest fan. Naturally being only a rookie, not very well known, I just had to come see my biggest fan.” I started, the crowd laughing loudly.

“I met this young man in the that room just down the hall. I immediately asked him, just why I was his favorite player. Without hesitation he simply said, because my name is Brian too and you jump real high and catch the ball.” I continued, again laughter throughout the room, “But he did remind me quickly his name was spelled B-R-Y-A-N, just so I wouldn’t be confused.”

“After visiting with this young man several times, he taught me what the words Courage and Warrior really meant. These children are so young, so innocent, so frail to be stricken with these diseases. I decided I wanted to do everything possible to make their time here at the hospital as positive as possible.” I continued.