Gee Tuba, I really did not know there was a procedure. Honestly. It seems moderation here is getting stricter, and in truth I like that. I will do better next year.
Yes, I hold the 32nd (‘and final,’ yeah right) degree in the Scottish Rite.
WhyNot, your story is enough to make me cry in my coffee this morning. Really. I am such an emotional weakling when it comes to hurt children. In truth, I have never even been to a Shrine hospital. I am too much of a coward.
Aah. Then, if you don’t mind my saying so, you really should go sometime. Nothing like seeing a group of a dozen kids in wheelchairs playing basketball, shrieking and laughing, to make your problems seem utterly insignificant! Every time I saw a Shriner there, I’d get all teary and give them a hug. I hope I didn’t freak anyone out.
WhyKid’s just fine, by the way - more active than ever, now that his back isn’t humped. He plays sports and drives us crazy like any other about-to-be 13 year old. The only regret he’s ever voiced is that he can’t ever serve in the army with all the hardware in his back.
(And the thanks was simply for being a Shriner - I know a lot of your donations go to fund those hospitals, even if you’ve never been in one.)