Ronald McDonald House of Houston

After a long drive, the Ronald McDonald House of Houston was a welcome sight and will provide a home away from home for our family this week. Every time I have crossed the threshold of a Ronald McDonald House I am somewhat awestruck by everything they do to support families.

After checking in we met a family who all shaved their heads in support of their oldest daughter who has cancer and is preparing for a transplant. They will be here into December. Aria and Evan became fast friends with the girl's younger sister and ended up watching a movie with a table of children while they all ate dinner together.

The dinner was generously donated, prepared and served by a local family who frequently volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House. Rob and I sat together in the crowded dining room feeling exhausted and grateful. 

We've stayed at a few Ronald McDonald Houses and they are all filled with thoughtful volunteers and a mix of families who are connected through the type of medical challenges that require out-of-state travel and sometimes lengthy hospital stays. 

The rooms are like hotel rooms and there are multiple public areas, playrooms, an arcade / game room, playground, kitchens for cooking and a dining area. It's not unusual for groups to provide dinners for the families and there are free shuttles to the hospitals nearby. 

Aria and Evan really liked the massage chairs! And there is a therapy dog here that we hope to meet tomorrow. He is here mon - fri and looks a lot like Mindy. We leave early for the hospital in the morning so we may not get to meet him right away.