Thoughts

Guys,
 
I am sitting here putting my thoughts about our Grin Kids trip in to an email. As I write this email, I have tears flowing
 
Let me start off by saying that it has been both an honor and privilege to have taken part in the Grin Kids 2008 trip. Yankee Pete had warned me that I would become an emotional basket case, he was spot on. The "Big Tough Guy" crumbled when we landed in Orlando. I was carrying a Grin Kids child down the stairs, half way down the stairs this child told me that he loved me, this was the beginning of my five day emotional roller coaster.
 
My role was to keep the Grin Kids website current and up to date. Knowing this, I never really considered that I "could " become emotionally attached to any of the  Grin Kids children/families. Man, was I way off.  I found myself signing autograph books during the Disney character dinner, Grin Kids requesting that I hold their hand and walking with them as we visited many events. I was clearly unprepared for this. Please do not get me wrong, I loved EVERY minute of it.
 
The two toughest emotional days for me were Monday and Tuesday when the Cast interviewed the Grin Kids and their families. I sat in my corner with tears flowing and lost it during the interview with Joseph and his father. On Monday and Tuesday I managed to collect myself during commercial breaks, thank god for those.
 
Tuesday was the hardest day for me personally.  Saying goodbye to Grin Kids and their families was very difficult for me. I cried along with other parents, exchanged email addresses and enjoyed every minute of picture taking with the Grin Kids and their families. When we arrived back in Charlotte, I was praying that our luggage would come out quickly so I would not have to say any more goodbyes.
 
I have learned so much from the parents of Grin Kids and am truly grateful for having taken part in this awesome event. I have received several emails from the parents thanking me for my involvement with this years trip. I respond by thanking them for allowing me to be a part of their family for those days and hope that we can stay in touch.
 
I want to thank all the Grin Kids families for touching me in a way I never seen coming. I also wish to thank Kyle Sisk ( videographer) and Angus Lamond ( photographer ) for their work, they both did a superior job providing content
 
Best wishes

Rick Roberts - Webmaster Grin Kids.org