Making Wishes Come True – Part 1
Last month I performed at a fundraiser for The Dream Catchers in Virginia Beach and I spoke the following day at The Pathways to Possibilities Conference. A few weeks before the trip The Make A Wish Foundation contacted us and said there was a 4 year-old little boy named Collin, in Virginia Beach who had made a wish… his wish was to meet me. I don’t know if I have the words to explain what an honor it was to hear that. He wished for me? Really? Me?
We set up a private meet and greet prior to my sound check the night of the fundraiser. I walked in the room and met his whole family. Collin was in his wheelchair, I came close to him so he could see me. After a few tries, Collin pushed a large yellow button on the tray of his wheelchair that voiced, “Hi Rachel, I’m Collin. I love you!” (Whew, I just tried to hold back the tears!) I asked which songs are his favorite, his mom said, “Caterpillar Dreams.” When I started singing, Collin lit up, he sat up in his chair and started laughing, he knew that voice. There was no question, he knew it was me.
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- Hi Collin, It’s me!
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- Just a little caterpillar
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- I feel just like a butterfly
I invited them in for my sound check. At the start of each song (and throughout) Collin would let out a happy holler. Even during the show, I could not help but smile each time I heard Collin sound off from the back of the hall where he was near an electrical outlet for his suctioning. Before my last song, I shared how humbled and honored I felt to be a wish. Collin’s mom joined me on stage, I thanked her. We hugged. We cried. I presented them with the full Signing Time library.
The final song I sang was “Shine.” Before singing Shine, I talked about how Lucy inspired the song. We say, “Lucy you are shining!!!” when we witness her miraculous milestones. In the bridge I sang, “…and Sammy will do what Sammy will do, when Sammy is ready to do it! And Collin will do what Collin will do when Collin is ready to do it! And Lucy will do what Lucy will do when Lucy is ready to do it! And they’ll do it, in their own time. They’ll shine, shine, shine, shine, Shine!”
It was an incredible night.
You can listen to the song Shine on the Signing Time Music Player
Tags: make a wish, virginia beach
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 am
Rachel! Stop making me cry!
What a lovely story!
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September 23rd, 2008 at 5:05 am
Rachel, you really make a difference in people’s lives. I’m glad you got to really see that in this little guy. I could send you the names several more that smile a lot more because of you.
Thank you.
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September 23rd, 2008 at 7:30 am
OMG!! That is so truly awesome. I don’t know how you can make it through that without crying. I started weeping right away. My son recently got his wish through a different organization and I can tell you emotions run high! You are really an amazing person. I am so glad my son’s therapist told me about your site.
Daniel also loves the videos, and they have helped me greatly know what signs to use. Daniel doesn’t have good use of his hands but we still do it and he knows what we are signing to him. Thanks so much for being an awesome person.
Melanie Spranger
www.danielspranger.com
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September 23rd, 2008 at 7:53 am
Rachel what a beautiful story! It instantly made me cry. You might not realize how much of an inspiration you are to so many families like my own. Your voice can be heard in my house on a daily basis. I enjoy your blogs but this one has to be my favorite. We love you!
April and family
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September 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 am
We were at the show – it really was amazing. We were impressed that you were able to even get through “Shine” – we were crying sitting in the audience!
My daughter had to put her autographed picture in her treasure box, and every time “Colors of the Rainbow” comes on the CD, she says “Rachel sang that song when we saw her!” When she first saw you on stage, she was completely star-struck and in awe.
Anyway, thank you for everything you do!
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September 23rd, 2008 at 8:24 am
Those are some of my daughters favorite songs too. Can’t wait to see you in just a few days. We are so very excited. I keep trying to tell my self “I will not cry”. Easier said than done
You are the greatest!!!!
Jenn and Brook
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September 23rd, 2008 at 9:43 am
OK, so I’m not the only one that cries through most of a Signing Time video? Whew, I feel better now!
My kid’s favorite songs right now are “Silly Pizza” and “Ready to Go!”. Of course, pizza and going outside–I shouldn’t be too surprised at that!
I think what makes us folks cry is that you are symbol of motherhood to us; you went to great lengths to secure for Leah and Lucy a world in which they would be accepted and befriended and that to me is what a mother does for her children; you just happen to have a beautiful voice to go along with that desire!
When you tell my kids that it was fun to have them “sign with you” on each DVD, my kids puff up with pride that they are learning and that “nice lady on the TV” enjoys spending that time with them. You are a fabulous teacher!
BTW, we were in the library and I was picking up more “Signing Time” and standing in the line next to me was a local Deaf woman who then was super enthusiastic about “Signing Time” and folks learning ASL. We live in a very small town and there aren’t many out here that know ASL; I took it as a 2nd language in college, but have forgotten so much that “Signing Time” is helping me remember! Thanks for helping this mom reach out to Deaf folks in a very small community. You are the best!!!
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September 23rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
That was such an amazing night. Jesse just loved getting to see you. He followed you all over the stage then when you picked him up he just lit up even more. That was an amazing night that neither Jesse or I will ever forget.
You are an amazing person and it was tear jerking when you spoke of Collin and presented his family with the whole set. You said you couldn’t understand why he picked you, but with how much you have done to touch my family I can totally understand why he would choose you as his wish.
I can’t wait until Raleigh’s buddy walk so we can see you again.
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September 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 am
Crying. At work. Must stop…
I’m sure Collin and his family will never forget their wish. And neither will you. What a blessing to know you are bringing that kind of joy to so many children and their families. So much joy that it has to be let out as a happy holler before each song. I love that description.
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September 23rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Being new to signing times, I had never heard the song “Shine”. Until I just followed your link. Thank you for the inspiration. Collin and his mom do shine.
In the song, you mention the lists of things that must get checked off of lists. Lydia, is just now enrolling in EI with our state. As you all know it is sooo overwhelming to see how far from the “norm” she is. I always liked standardized tests growing up, because I was always at the top. Seeing them from the other perspective is stinky. But you are right, our kids will SHINE.
Thanks,
Liz
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September 23rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
nancytoby: I will have to add an icon of a kleenex box in posts like these
Joeymom: Thank you! There is nothing better than seeing the impact of what ST! opens up for so many children.
mspranger: I did cry. I admit. But I have found that I have a magical “tears off” mechanism that kicks in when the first bars of a song start to play. (Thankfully)
Salisbury8: Thanks April. Warning: the next post will also require Kleenex… notice the “Part 1″?
TashiaRay: Wasn’t that a great night? I love that I’m in a treasure box.
Googsmom: Are you coming to the Oregon show(s) or Denver?
thislittlemamastayedhome: They should feel proud! I love it!
momtojesse: Raleigh will be a blast, Alex and Leah will be with me.
simply_lori: Lucy has some friend who are non-verbal and they give happy hollers and “shout outs” of recognition too. We often say that Lucy “bucks” in her chair when she is excited, don’t know a better word to explain it, she sort of pops right up or off to the side.
leapnlizzie: Oh good I am glad you found it. It first shows up on the ST! DVD “My Favorite Things” (it is also on the CD for that set volumes 4-6). Then we named the compilation CD of all the “grown up songs” SHINE, you can find it on that CD too. Yes we made an entire CD full of songs that will make you cry… you are welcome
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September 23rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
OMGoodness…loved this post! Glad I’m not the only one crying! Although crying while sick is NOT good for all this congestion!
In our home you are right up there with Bindi (& Hannah Montana- LOL) for people my kids want to meet!
My youngest though I think would love to meet the Baby version of Hopkins! We Love your songs and what you do Rachel!
Thanks,
Ana
www.AngelHeart2.blogspot.com
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September 23rd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I don’t think I’ll ever have a dry eye from this story. When you first told me about it, I teared up with you as you were telling me, remember? And now, reading this, I had to go for a tissue.
Thank you Rachel, for helping our kids all shine. *and me too*
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September 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Thank You Rachel, for being a sincere and geniune friend,and hero to Collin. For respecting him as a perfect Child of God, and showing he and his family, the love they deserve. Isn’t it an incredibly humbling, and awesome experience to play an uplifting role in someone’s life?
Sometimes, all we need is people whose heart we can lean on for a minute (or a lifetime), while we gather the strength to climb the next hill, or someone to be the reflection, where we can watch ourselves shine. Thank you for using your talents, and gifts, to bless all of our lives. I hope Lucy, Sammy, Collin, and all the kids will continue to shine so brightly that they beam.
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September 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Wow, What a nice treat for the both of you! You have done so many wonderful things for so many.
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September 25th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
As it has been an emotional day so far, this threw me over the edge into tears. What a blessing to be someone’s “wish!” I don’t blame him at all. A few years ago one of my students who had CP and was confined to a wheelchair, very limited verbally told his teacher that I was his hero. I printed out the email she sent me to tell me that as always a reminder why I teach God’s “least of these.” I saw you this past weekend in Oklahoma, and I’m sorry the show won’t continue, but thank you for what you’ve done so far, and I know you will continue to bless lives. And I agree with you and Leah, let’s all get shirts “What’s *Your* Problem!?”
God Bless!
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September 26th, 2008 at 1:58 am
mami.adame: Thank you! I am glad to hear that in your home I “right up there with Bindi” because in my home she is a bit ahead of me waving The Emmy as if to taunt me.
Kei: And William will do what Wiliam will do… and BTW I am so lucky to have you as a friend!
Ella: “Isn’t it an incredibly humbling, and awesome experience to play an uplifting role in someone’s life?” Yes, humbling and Yes, awesome.
Alisha: It really was a treat to be a part of that.
miadca: In theory I love the “What’s *YOUR* Problem?” t-shirts, but it always feels a little like a chip on my shoulder, which doesn’t sit well with me. A friend of mine makes a t-shirt for her son that says, “I have autism, please be nice to my mom.”
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October 5th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Hi-
I’ve followed your blog and Signing Time for a while now, but tend not to post much anywhere so, rightfully haven’t replied here before but I can’t help myself. I decided to follow your link and listen to “Shine” the other day as I just LOVE that song and as my 3.5 year old generally controls what we watch during our allowed TV time, I decided just to start listening on my computer. Anyway, my daughter heard from the other room and came running. The conversation went about like this:
Sorsha: “Hey, mommy! That’s MINE!”
mommy: “what’s yours?”
Sorsha “Shine!”
Mommy: “oh…the song?”
Sorsha: “Purple, it’s mine, take it out”
Mommy: “Sweetheart, the music is on mommy’s computer”
Sorsha: “Oh!”
she then went and found her CD case, searched through, found the Purple hand CD (Signing Time, Vols. 4-6 Songs). Looked up at me and said “Thanks! I like this song”, took her CD with to her room, played it and skipped it forward to the right track on the CD to listen and sing (at the top of her lungs mind you) “Shine”. (yes, she’s quite advanced and knows WHICH track on which CD for EVERYTHING…and we have ALL the Signing Time DVDs and CDs, as well as lots of other music CDs, she just stores all that info amazingly well)
I peeked in on her and she was signing along the words she knows.
I was crying by then!
THANK YOU for sharing your amazing talents with us. Sorsha signs so much I started taking a sign language course at the Adult school to learn more as she’s constantly asking for the signs to things I just don’t know and I don’t want her to stop learning because I haven’t learned it yet! We buy every product you sell the moment it comes out! And now…our 9 month old son, Soren has started signing “more”. “milk” and “all done”…it’s thrilling
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February 14th, 2009 at 7:50 am
Hello Guru, what entice you to post an article. This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Thursday.
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