It's not every day that you gain the type of invaluable perspective that informs the rest of your days, but I guess it has to start somewhere.
For years, National Underwriter has been involved with the Workers' Compensation Institute's annual Educational Conference, which has grown from a regional event to national prominence in part due to its wonderful association with a Kissimmee, Fla.-based charity known as Give Kids the World.
For those not familiar with it, Give Kids the World is a storybook-themed series of villas that hosts children with serious and sometimes terminal illnesses and their families for a week while they visit Orlando's theme parks, like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, free of charge.
Over the last two years, WCI's organizers encouraged me to come down in advance of the conference and take part in its annual volunteer day at GKTW, held on the Saturday preceding the conference. Come down next year, they'd say, with a smile and a nod. When you see it, you'll understand.
After some persuading by Diana McCluskey, the driving force behind a fundraising gala that raises tens of thousands of dollars for the charity each year, I agreed to take part this time.
If you've been to Orlando in August, you know just how hot it can get, and much of the volunteer day involves painting and pulling weeds. I've been a musician for nearly 30 years, so I was deeply humbled—not to mention relieved—to be asked to sing and play acoustic guitar indoors for the kids and their families. I'd pulled duty in the village's “castle,” where the children receive a “wish pillow” that they take home with them, to remind them of all the positive feelings and memories created during their family vacation.
Only, as the morning progressed, I didn't get to play much at all; no good opportunity with the visiting families arose that wouldn't have felt forced upon them. I was just about to finish my shift, resigned to not really playing but helping out just the same, in other tasks.
Then the front door opened, and a skinny little blonde girl about 7 or 8 years old came charging in to the castle, with her three younger siblings and her parents.
At least, I think she was blonde; she was wearing an Elsa cap from “Frozen,” with a long blonde ponytail coming out of the back of it. If you looked for more than a few seconds, you'd see that she'd lost her hair from her treatments.
I hadn't noticed because she was utterly joyous. Playful. Filled with life, she was the living embodiment of what Give Kids the World provides its visitors—a chance for kids to just be kids for a week, to laugh and play and enjoy themselves for the first time in a long time and not worry about treatments, or doctors, or diagnoses.
After we helped the youngster receive her wish pillow from the castle's “magic tree,” I said to her, “I'd love to play a song for you, if that's OK.” She graciously agreed.
I sang and played “Daydream Believer” for her (when in a clutch, always go with a classic), and she sang along for the whole song, not really knowing the words but enjoying it just the same. Her expression—when I allowed myself to look up at it—was luminous.
When I finished, she said, “Thank you,” and came up and hugged me. I handed her the guitar pick I used and she squealed, prompting my first internal reminder to not lose my composure.
She then said, “Can I sing a song?” and reached for the guitar. “Sure, of course,” I replied. She sat, and her dad put the guitar strap around her.
Strumming open strings, completely off-key, she sang what I think might have been a song from Disney's “Brave,” which I've not yet seen and I must admit I do not know the words to, but the phrases “I am brave” and “I'm a warrior” were definitely in there. In her small voice there was not an ounce of hopelessness to be found. Only beauty, courage and strength.
With the song finished, we said our goodbyes, I shook her dad's hand and she happily left with her family.
I'm not ashamed to admit that after that, I left the village, drove back to my hotel and had a good, hard cry.
That little girl gave me a priceless gift that I will now always remember.
Life is precious.
Don't waste a second of it being unhappy if you don't have to. Don't be afraid to live.
Be great at what you do. Go further. Be grand. Help people. Help yourself. Give kids the world.
If you attend WCEC, join in the volunteer day in 2016. It just might change your life.
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Shawn Moynihan
Shawn Moynihan is Editor-in-Chief of National Underwriter Property & Casualty. A St. John’s University alum, Moynihan has earned 11 Jesse H. Neal Awards, the Pulitzers of the business press; seven Azbee Awards, from the American Society of Business Press Editors; two Folio Awards; and a SABEW award, from the Society of American Business Editors & Writers. Prior to joining ALM, he served as Managing Editor/Online Editor of journalism institution Editor & Publisher, the trade bible of the newspaper industry. Moynihan also has held editorial positions with AOL, Metro New York, and Newhouse Newspapers. He can be reached at [email protected].
